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{{Infobox motorsport championship
{{Infobox motorsport championship
| title = Indy NXT
| title = Indy NXT
| logo =
| logo = IndyNXTLogo.png
| pixels = 175px
| pixels = 175px
| caption =
| caption =
| category = [[Open wheel car]]s
| category = [[Open wheel car]]s
| country/region = [[United States]]
| country/region = [[United States]]
| inaugural2 = [[1977 USAC Mini-Indy Series season|1977]] (predecessor)<br>[[1986 American Racing Series season|1986]] (original)<br>[[2002 Infiniti Pro Series season|2002]] ([[IndyCar]] sanctioned)
| inaugural2 = [[1977 USAC Mini-Indy Series season|1977]] (predecessor)<br>[[1986 American Racing Series season|1986]] (original)<br>[[2002 Infiniti Pro Series season|2002]] ([[IndyCar]] sanctioned)
| folded =
| folded =
| drivers =
| drivers =
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| chassis = [[Dallara]]
| chassis = [[Dallara]]
| engines = [[Mazda]]–[[Advanced Engine Research|AER]] (2015–2018)<br>[[Advanced Engine Research|AER]] (2019–present)
| engines = [[Mazda]]–[[Advanced Engine Research|AER]] (2015–2018)<br>[[Advanced Engine Research|AER]] (2019–present)
| champion driver = {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Linus Lundqvist]]
| champion driver = {{flagicon|DEN}} [[Christian Rasmussen (racing driver)|Christian Rasmussen]]
| champion team = {{flagicon|USA}} [[HMD Motorsports]]
| champion team = {{flagicon|USA}} [[HMD Motorsports]]
| current_season = 2023 Indy NXT
| current_season = 2024 Indy NXT
| website = [https://www.indycar.com/INDYNXT Indycar.com/INDYNXT]
| website = [https://www.indycar.com/INDYNXT Indycar.com/INDYNXT]
| tires = [[Firestone Tire & Rubber Company|Firestone]]
| tires = [[Firestone Tire & Rubber Company|Firestone]]
}}
}}


'''Indy NXT''', previously '''Indy Lights''', is an American [[Minor league|developmental]] automobile racing series sanctioned by [[IndyCar]], currently known as '''Firestone Indy NXT Series''' for sponsorship reasons. Indy NXT is the highest step on the [[Road to Indy]], a program of racing series leading up to the [[IndyCar Series]].
'''Indy NXT''' (pronounced "Indy Next"), previously '''Indy Lights''', is an American [[Minor league|developmental]] automobile racing series sanctioned by [[IndyCar]], currently known as '''INDY NXT by Firestone''' for sponsorship reasons. Indy NXT is the highest step on the [[Road to Indy]], a program of racing series leading up to the [[IndyCar Series]].


A similar series named Indy Lights filled the developmental role for the [[Champ Car|CART]] series, and ran from 1986 to 1993 as the '''American Racing Series''' and '''Dayton Indy Lights''' from 1991 to 2001. The current IndyCar sanctioned series was founded in [[2002 Infiniti Pro Series season|2002]] as the '''Infiniti Pro Series''' as a way to introduce new talent to IndyCar, with the moniker Indy Lights returning in 2008 when CART and IndyCar unified. The Indy Lights champion was awarded a $1M scholarship toward the IndyCar Series, and guaranteed three races including the Indianapolis 500 during this time. For 2023, [[Penske Corporation|Penske Entertainment]] announced a rebranding to the name Indy NXT.
A similar series named Indy Lights filled the developmental role for the [[Champ Car|CART]] series, and ran from 1986 to 1993 as the '''American Racing Series''' and '''Dayton Indy Lights''' from 1991 to 2001. The current IndyCar sanctioned series was founded in [[2002 Infiniti Pro Series season|2002]] as the '''Infiniti Pro Series''' as a way to introduce new talent to IndyCar, with the moniker Indy Lights returning in 2008 when CART and IndyCar unified. The Indy Lights champion was awarded a $1M scholarship toward the IndyCar Series, and guaranteed three races including the Indianapolis 500 during this time. For 2023, [[Penske Corporation|Penske Entertainment]] announced a rebranding to the name Indy NXT.


==Early origins==
==Early origins==
In the post-[[World War II|WWII]] era, through the early 1960s, open wheel race cars were almost exclusively front-engined "roadsters". The primary ladder series included [[Sprint car racing|sprints]] and [[Midget car racing|midgets]]. By the end of the 1960s, the cars evolved into rear-engine [[Formula racing|formula-style]] machines. Likewise, the feeder series began to follow the same mold. When [[United States Automobile Club|USAC]] became the primary sanctioning body for top-level [[American Championship Car Racing|Indy car racing]], the ladder of progression began to change.
In the post-[[World War II|WWII]] era, through the early 1960s, [[American open-wheel racing]] cars were almost exclusively front-engined "roadsters". The primary ladder series included [[Sprint car racing|sprints]] and [[Midget car racing|midgets]]. By the end of the 1960s, the cars evolved into rear-engine [[Formula racing|formula-style]] machines. Likewise, the feeder series began to follow the same mold. When [[United States Automobile Club]] (USAC) became the primary sanctioning body for top-level open-wheel racing, the ladder of progression began to change.


===USAC Mini Indy Series===
===USAC Mini Indy Series===
The [[Sports Car Club of America|SCCA]] [[Formula Super Vee|Super Vee]] and [[Atlantic Championship|Formula Atlantic]] series were among the first formula-based ladder series. However, neither had any direct tie to [[United States Automobile Club|USAC]]. In 1977, USAC started the "Mini-Indy" series, using [[Formula Super Vee|Super Vee]] machines. The series ended after 1980 when USAC stopped sanctioning Indy car races outside of [[Indianapolis 500|Indianapolis]].
The [[Sports Car Club of America]] (SCCA) [[Formula Super Vee|Super Vee]] and [[Atlantic Championship Series|Formula Atlantic]] series were among the first formula-based ladder series. However, neither had any direct tie to USAC. In 1977, USAC started the "Mini-Indy" series, using Super Vee machines. The series ended after 1980 when USAC stopped sanctioning Indy car races outside of the Indianapolis 500.


Following the end of the "Mini Indy" series, the driver pool in the early 1980s to [[Champ Car|CART]] and the [[Indianapolis 500|Indy 500]] was drawn in a somewhat unorganized fashion among [[Formula Super Vee|Super Vees]], [[Atlantic Championship|Atlantics]], [[Sports Car Club of America|SCCA]], former [[Can-Am]] drivers, [[Sprint car racing|sprints]], [[Midget car racing|midgets]], and even [[Stock car racing|stock cars]] and [[off-road racing]]. In addition, a number of CART series drivers during the 1980s and early 1990s were former [[Formula 1]] competitors, most of whom had climbed the European-based ladder series.
Following the end of the "Mini Indy" series, the driver pool in the early 1980s for [[Championship Auto Racing Teams|CART]] and the Indy 500 was drawn in a somewhat unorganized fashion among Super Vees, Atlantics, former [[Can-Am]] drivers, sprint cars, midgets, and even [[Stock car racing|stock cars]] and [[off-road racing]]. In addition, a number of CART series drivers during the 1980s and early 1990s were former [[Formula 1]] competitors, most of whom had climbed the European-based ladder series.


==Original series (1986–2001)==
==Original series (1986–2001)==
[[Image:Indy Lights driver Mark Smith winning pole position Phoenix.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mark Smith (American racing driver)|Mark Smith]] racing an Indy Lights car at [[Phoenix International Raceway]] in 1991.]]
[[Image:Indy Lights driver Mark Smith winning pole position Phoenix.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mark Smith (American racing driver)|Mark Smith]] racing an Indy Lights car at [[Phoenix International Raceway]] in 1991.]]
The original Indy Lights series was an open-wheeled racing series that acted as a developmental circuit for [[Championship Auto Racing Teams|CART]] from 1986 to 2001. It was founded in 1986 as the ''American Racing Series'' (ARS). The series was renamed ''Indy Lights'' in 1991. The CART-sanctioned series became widely popular and secured the title sponsorship of [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company|Firestone]]. Later, Firestone's subsidiary Dayton Tires took over as tire supplier and title sponsor.
The original Indy Lights series was an open-wheeled racing series that acted as a developmental circuit for [[Championship Auto Racing Teams|CART]] from 1986 to 2001. It was founded in 1986 as the '''American Racing Series''' (ARS). CART became the sanctioning body for the series in 1988, and it was renamed as ''Indy Lights'' in 1991, with title sponsorship by [[Firestone Tire and Rubber Company|Firestone]]. Later, Firestone's subsidiary Dayton Tires took over as tire supplier and title sponsor.


A [[Spec racing|spec-series]], CART Indy Lights used [[March Engineering|March]] chassis (essentially a modified 85B [[Formula 3000]] chassis, renamed to Wildcat) from 1986 to 1992. In 1992 [[Lola Racing Cars|Lola]] became the primary chassis constructor to the series, using a modified F3000 chassis. In 1997, a newly updated and modern-looking chassis was introduced based on an F3000 design. It would remain through 2001. [[Buick V6 engine|Buick V6 engines]] were used for its entire existence.
A [[Spec racing|spec-series]], CART Indy Lights used [[March Engineering|March]] chassis (essentially a modified [[March 85B|85B]] [[Formula 3000]] chassis, renamed to Wildcat) from 1986 to 1992. In 1992 [[Lola Racing Cars|Lola]] became the primary chassis constructor to the series, using a modified F3000 chassis. In 1997, a newly updated and modern-looking chassis was introduced based on an F3000 design. It would remain through 2001. [[Buick Indy V6 engine|Buick V6 engines]] were used for its entire existence.


The ARS/Indy Lights series' championship winners included two CART champions, two [[Indy Racing League|IndyCar Series]] champions, seven [[Champ Car|CCWS]] race-winners and two [[Formula One]] drivers.
The ARS/Indy Lights series' championship winners included two CART champions, two [[Indy Racing League|IndyCar Series]] champions, seven [[Champ Car World Series]] race-winners and two [[Formula One]] drivers.


The Indy Lights schedule closely followed that of the CART series, and typically had a gap of up to a month while the primary CART teams raced at the [[Indianapolis 500|Indy 500]]. The races were usually held the morning of the CART series races, as an [[undercard]] event. In early years, the Indy Lights series skipped superspeedway races such as [[Michigan International Speedway|Michigan]], but eventually found its way to race there. In some rare occasions, the Indy Lights ran at non-CART tracks, generally as a support race to a series other than CART. In 2001 Indy Lights ran at [[Road Atlanta]] the weekend of the [[Petit Le Mans]], and ran at [[Kansas Speedway|Kansas]] with the [[IndyCar|IRL]].[[Image:Lola B9720 Indy Lights Car.jpg|thumb|The Lola T97/20 was the specified chassis used from 1997 to 2001. It is pictured here at a vintage racing event in 2016.]]
The Indy Lights schedule closely followed that of the CART series, and typically had a gap of up to a month while the primary CART teams raced at the [[Indianapolis 500|Indy 500]]. The races were usually held the morning of the CART series races, as an [[undercard]] event. In early years, the Indy Lights series skipped superspeedway races such as [[Michigan International Speedway|Michigan]], but eventually found its way to race there. In some rare occasions, the Indy Lights ran at non-CART tracks, generally as a support race to a series other than CART. In 2001 Indy Lights ran at [[Road Atlanta]] the weekend of the [[Petit Le Mans]], and ran at [[Kansas Speedway|Kansas]] with the [[IndyCar|IRL]].[[Image:Lola B9720 Indy Lights Car.jpg|thumb|The Lola T97/20 was the specified chassis used from 1997 to 2001. It is pictured here at a vintage racing event in 2016.]]
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The Infiniti Pro Series was re-founded by the Indy Racing League and began racing in 2002, the year after the CART-sanctioned Indy Lights series' demise. It was a spec series using a [[Tom Walkinshaw Racing|TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing)]] developed 3.5L version of the V8 engine used in the [[Infiniti Q45]] combined with [[Dallara]] chassis producing {{convert|420|hp}}. The series initially struggled to attract drivers and some races have had fewer than 10 entrants. However, with the introduction of a number of road-course races to the schedule in [[2005 in IPS|2005]], many of America's top prospects like [[Marco Andretti]] and [[Phil Giebler]] were attracted to the series to run part-time schedules on road courses. In [[2006 in IPS|2006]], a boost in prize money even further increased car counts to 16 or more, with an even six oval and six road course mix. The selected races being double races, and a stand-alone race (independent of the IndyCar Series) were scheduled on the USGP weekend.[[File:Homestead-Miami Stadium.JPG|thumb|Green flag for the 2008 Miami 100 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.]]
The Infiniti Pro Series was re-founded by the Indy Racing League and began racing in 2002, the year after the CART-sanctioned Indy Lights series' demise. It was a spec series using a [[Tom Walkinshaw Racing|TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing)]] developed 3.5L version of the V8 engine used in the [[Infiniti Q45]] combined with [[Dallara]] chassis producing {{convert|420|hp}}. The series initially struggled to attract drivers and some races have had fewer than 10 entrants. However, with the introduction of a number of road-course races to the schedule in [[2005 in IPS|2005]], many of America's top prospects like [[Marco Andretti]] and [[Phil Giebler]] were attracted to the series to run part-time schedules on road courses. In [[2006 in IPS|2006]], a boost in prize money even further increased car counts to 16 or more, with an even six oval and six road course mix. The selected races being double races, and a stand-alone race (independent of the IndyCar Series) were scheduled on the USGP weekend.[[File:Homestead-Miami Stadium.JPG|thumb|Green flag for the 2008 Miami 100 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.]]


The series was called the ''Menards Infiniti Pro Series'' (MIPS) until 2006 when both [[Menards]] and [[Nissan]] dropped their sponsorship of the series. It was then known as the ''Indy Pro Series''. On March 26, 2008, the series announced a changing of names, when the historical records and proprietary information of [[Champ Car]] were acquired by the IRL. The series then became known as ''Firestone Indy Lights''.
The series was called the ''Menards Infiniti Pro Series'' (MIPS) until 2006 when both [[Menards]] and [[Nissan]] dropped their sponsorship of the series. It was then known as the ''Indy Pro Series''. On March 26, 2008, the series announced a changing of names, when the historical records and proprietary information of [[Champ Car World Series|Champ Car]] were acquired by the IRL. The series then became known as ''Firestone Indy Lights''.


The centerpiece of the Indy Lights schedule is the [[Freedom 100]], contested at [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] on the Friday prior to the [[Indianapolis 500]]. The series also held a support race for the [[United States Grand Prix|U.S. Grand Prix]], the [[Liberty Challenge]], from 2005 to 2007. It was the series' only event that was not a support race to an IndyCar event.
The centerpiece of the Indy Lights schedule was the [[Freedom 100]], contested at [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]] on the Friday prior to the [[Indianapolis 500]]. The series also held a support race for the [[United States Grand Prix|U.S. Grand Prix]], the [[Liberty Challenge]], from 2005 to 2007. It was the series' first event that was not a support race to an IndyCar event.


On September 9, 2007, during the [[2007 in IPS|Chicagoland 100]], [[Logan Gomez]] beat [[Alex Lloyd (racing driver)|Alex Lloyd]] by 0.0005 seconds (approximately {{convert|1.65|in|mm}} at 188&nbsp;mph) which reflects the closest recognized finish in the over century-long history of organized automobile racing throughout the world.<ref name="To the fourth degree">{{cite news| url =http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=9929| title =To the fourth degree| publisher =IndyCar.com| date =2007-09-13| access-date =2007-09-14}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2008, the margin was established by the ''[[Guinness Book of World Records]]'' as the closest finish ever in a car race.<ref name="World record">{{cite news| url =http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=9929| title =Closest finish recognized as world record| publisher =IndyCar.com| date =2008-03-04| access-date =2008-03-04}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
On September 9, 2007, during the [[2007 in IPS|Chicagoland 100]], [[Logan Gomez]] beat [[Alex Lloyd (racing driver)|Alex Lloyd]] by 0.0005 seconds (approximately {{convert|1.65|in|mm}} at 188&nbsp;mph) which reflects what was the closest recognized finish in the over century-long history of organized automobile racing throughout the world, until the [[2018 in NASCAR|2018 Powershares QQQ 300]].<ref name="To the fourth degree">{{cite news| url =http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=9929| title =To the fourth degree| publisher =IndyCar.com| date =2007-09-13| access-date =2007-09-14}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2008, the margin was established by the ''[[Guinness Book of World Records]]'' as the closest finish ever in a car race.<ref name="World record">{{cite news| url =http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=9929| title =Closest finish recognized as world record| publisher =IndyCar.com| date =2008-03-04| access-date =2008-03-04}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


On May 24, 2013, Peter Dempsey captured his first Indy Lights win in the [[Freedom 100]] in the closest finish in Indianapolis Motor Speedway history (0.0026 secs) in a four-wide finish.<ref>Marot, Michael. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/24/peter-dempsey-freedom-100-late-pass-final_n_3333059.html Indianapolis Motor Speedway With Historic Final Lap], ''Huffington Post'', 24 May 2013, Retrieved 2013-05-24</ref>
On May 24, 2013, Peter Dempsey captured his first Indy Lights win in the [[Freedom 100]] in the closest finish in Indianapolis Motor Speedway history (0.0026 secs) in a four-wide finish.<ref>Marot, Michael. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/24/peter-dempsey-freedom-100-late-pass-final_n_3333059.html Indianapolis Motor Speedway With Historic Final Lap], ''Huffington Post'', 24 May 2013, Retrieved 2013-05-24</ref>
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Andretti Autosport's Kyle Kirkwood captured the 2021 series championship, while HMD Motorsports' David Malukas finished second and Global Racing Group w/HMD Motorsports' Linus Lundqvist was third. HMD Motorsports/Global Racing Group secured their first Road to Indy team championship.
Andretti Autosport's Kyle Kirkwood captured the 2021 series championship, while HMD Motorsports' David Malukas finished second and Global Racing Group w/HMD Motorsports' Linus Lundqvist was third. HMD Motorsports/Global Racing Group secured their first Road to Indy team championship.


Firestone will return as the official tire supplier for the 2023 season.
Firestone returned as the official tire supplier for the 2023 season. That season saw the series name changed to Indy NXT, and IndyCar assume direct operation of the series from Andersen Promotions, which continues to operate the affiliated lower-tier [[USF Championships]] under IndyCar sanctioning.


==Teams==
==Teams==
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===Specifications (2015–present)===
===Specifications (2015–present)===
*'''Chassis manufacturer''':[[Dallara]] IL-15
*'''Chassis manufacturer''':[[Dallara IL-15]]
*'''Engine displacement''': [[Mazda]]-[[Advanced Engine Research|AER]] P63 {{convert|2.0|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} [[Overhead camshaft|DOHC]] [[inline-4]]
*'''Engine displacement''': [[Mazda]]-[[Advanced Engine Research|AER]] P63 {{convert|2.0|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} [[Overhead camshaft|DOHC]] [[inline-4]]
*'''Gearbox''': 6-speed [[semi-automatic gearbox|sequential semi-automatic]] gearbox
*'''Gearbox''': 6-speed [[semi-automatic gearbox|sequential semi-automatic]] gearbox
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|-
|-
!rowspan=2| [[1977 USAC Mini-Indy Series season|1977]]
!rowspan=2| [[1977 USAC Mini-Indy Series season|1977]]
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tom Bagley]]
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tom Bagley (racing driver)|Tom Bagley]]
| [[Zink (auto racing)|Zink]] Z11
| [[Zink (auto racing)|Zink]] Z11
| [[Volkswagen]]
| [[Volkswagen]]
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! [[1979 USAC Mini-Indy Series season|1979]]
! [[1979 USAC Mini-Indy Series season|1979]]
| {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Dennis Firestone]]
| {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Dennis Firestone]]
| [[March Engineering|March]]
| [[March Engineering|March]] 79V
| [[Volkswagen]]
| [[Volkswagen]]
|-
|-
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! [[1988 American Racing Series season|1988]]
! [[1988 American Racing Series season|1988]]
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jon Beekhuis]]
| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jon Beekhuis]]
| [[Enterprise Racing]]
| [[P.I.G. Enterprises Racing]]
| [[March Engineering|March]] 86A
| [[March Engineering|March]] 86A
| [[Buick]] [[Buick V6 engine|3800 V6]]
| [[Buick]] [[Buick V6 engine|3800 V6]]
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|-
|-
! [[2023 Indy NXT|2023]]
! [[2023 Indy NXT|2023]]
| {{flagicon|DEN}} [[Christian Rasmussen (racing driver)|Christian Rasmussen]]
|
| [[HMD Motorsports]]
|
| [[Dallara]] IL-15
|
| [[Advanced Engine Research|AER]] MZR-R
|
|}
|}
<SUP>1</SUP> Chaves and {{flagicon|GBR}} Jack Harvey ([[Schmidt Peterson Motorsports]] were tied in points and wins (4 each). Chaves won the title based on more second-place finishes (5 vs 1).
<SUP>1</SUP> Chaves and [[Jack Harvey (racing driver)|Jack Harvey]] ([[Schmidt Peterson Motorsports]] were tied in points and wins (4 each). Chaves won the title based on more second-place finishes (5 vs 1).



==Graduates==
==Graduates==
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*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Didier André]]
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Didier André]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jeff Andretti]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jeff Andretti]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Marco Andretti]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Marco Andretti]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Richard Antinucci]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Richard Antinucci]]
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Ian Ashley]]
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Ian Ashley]]
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*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jon Beekhuis]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jon Beekhuis]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Townsend Bell]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Townsend Bell]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Billy Boat]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Billy Boat]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Brian Bonner (racing driver)|Brian Bonner]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Brian Bonner (racing driver)|Brian Bonner]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Geoff Boss]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Geoff Boss]]
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*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Steve Bren]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Steve Bren]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Jason Bright]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Jason Bright]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Robbie Buhl]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Robbie Buhl]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Buzz Calkins]]<sup>a b</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Buzz Calkins]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}{{efn|name="indycarchampion"|has won an IndyCar Series championship}}
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Jaime Camara]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Jaime Camara]]
*{{flagicon|CHI}} [[Juan Carlos Carbonell]]
*{{flagicon|CHI}} [[Juan Carlos Carbonell]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ed Carpenter (racing driver)|Ed Carpenter]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ed Carpenter (racing driver)|Ed Carpenter]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Patrick Carpentier]]<sup>d</sup>
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Patrick Carpentier]]{{efn|name="cartwinner"|has won a CART/[[Champ Car]] event}}
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Hélio Castroneves]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}{{efn|name="indy500winner"|has won an [[Indianapolis 500]]}}{{efn|name="cartwinner"|has won a CART/[[Champ Car]] event}}
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Hélio Castroneves]]<sup>a c d</sup>
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Alfonso Celis Jr.]]
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Alfonso Celis Jr.]]
*{{flagicon|COL}} [[Gabby Chaves]]
*{{flagicon|COL}} [[Gabby Chaves]]
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*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Wally Dallenbach Jr.]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Wally Dallenbach Jr.]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Conor Daly]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Conor Daly]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Cristiano da Matta]]<sup>d e</sup>
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Cristiano da Matta]]{{efn|name="cartwinner"|has won a CART/[[Champ Car]] event}}{{efn|name="cartchampion"|has won a CART/Champ Car World Series championship}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Paul Dana]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Paul Dana]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Airton Daré]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Airton Daré]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[James Davison]]
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[James Davison]]
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Luis Díaz (racing driver)|Luis Díaz]]
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Luis Díaz (racing driver)|Luis Díaz]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Dismore]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Dismore]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Scott Dixon]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}{{efn|name="indycarchampion"|has won an IndyCar Series championship}}{{efn|name="indy500winner"|has won an [[Indianapolis 500]]}}{{efn|name="cartwinner"|has won a CART/[[Champ Car]] event}}
⚫
*{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Scott Dixon]]<sup>a b c d</sup>
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Mario Domínguez]]<sup>d</sup>
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Mario Domínguez]]{{efn|name="cartwinner"|has won a CART/[[Champ Car]] event}}
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Fredrik Ekblom]]
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Fredrik Ekblom]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[RC Enerson]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[RC Enerson]]
*{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Wim Eyckmans]]
*{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Wim Eyckmans]]
*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Juan Manuel Fangio II]]
*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Juan Manuel Fangio II]]
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Adrián Fernández]]<sup>a d</sup>
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Adrián Fernández]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Stan Fox]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Stan Fox]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[A. J. Foyt IV]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[A. J. Foyt IV]]
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*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Luiz Garcia Jr.]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Luiz Garcia Jr.]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Affonso Giaffone]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Affonso Giaffone]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Felipe Giaffone]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Felipe Giaffone]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Phil Giebler]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Phil Giebler]]
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Jorge Goeters]]
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Jorge Goeters]]
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*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Jack Hawksworth]]
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Jack Hawksworth]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jon Herb]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jon Herb]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Bryan Herta]]<sup>a d</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Bryan Herta]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}{{efn|name="cartwinner"|has won a CART/[[Champ Car]] event}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Colton Herta]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Colton Herta]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[J. R. Hildebrand]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[J. R. Hildebrand]]
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[James Hinchcliffe]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[James Hinchcliffe]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Jay Howard]]
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Jay Howard]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ken Johnson (racing driver)|Ken Johnson]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ken Johnson (racing driver)|Ken Johnson]]
Line 482: Line 481:
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Niclas Jönsson]]
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Niclas Jönsson]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Kyle Kaiser]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Kyle Kaiser]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Tony Kanaan]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}{{efn|name="indycarchampion"|has won an IndyCar Series championship}}{{efn|name="indy500winner"|has won an [[Indianapolis 500]]}}{{efn|name="cartwinner"|has won a CART/[[Champ Car]] event}}
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Tony Kanaan]]<sup>a b c d</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sage Karam]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sage Karam]]
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Dalton Kellett]]
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Dalton Kellett]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Charlie Kimball]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Charlie Kimball]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Kyle Kirkwood]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Kyle Kirkwood]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[David Kudrave]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[David Kudrave]]
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Rodolfo Lavín]]
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Rodolfo Lavín]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Eddie Lawson]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Eddie Lawson]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jaques Lazier]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jaques Lazier]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Matheus Leist]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Matheus Leist]]
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Alex Lloyd (racing driver)|Alex Lloyd]]
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Alex Lloyd (racing driver)|Alex Lloyd]]
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Linus Lundqvist]]
*{{flagicon|NLD}} [[Arie Luyendyk Jr.]]
*{{flagicon|NLD}} [[Arie Luyendyk Jr.]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[David Malukas]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[David Malukas]]
Line 498: Line 498:
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Raphael Matos]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Raphael Matos]]
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hiro Matsushita]]
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hiro Matsushita]]
⚫
*{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Hunter McElrea]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Casey Mears]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Casey Mears]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Thiago Medeiros]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Thiago Medeiros]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Chris Menninga]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Chris Menninga]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Dr. Jack Miller]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Dr. Jack Miller]]
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Greg Moore (racing driver)|Greg Moore]]<sup>d</sup>
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Greg Moore (racing driver)|Greg Moore]]{{efn|name="cartwinner"|has won a CART/[[Champ Car]] event}}
*{{flagicon|COL}} [[Carlos Muñoz (racing driver)|Carlos Muñoz]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|COL}} [[Carlos Muñoz (racing driver)|Carlos Muñoz]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Brad Murphey]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Brad Murphey]]
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hideki Mutoh]]
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hideki Mutoh]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Josef Newgarden]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}{{efn|name="indycarchampion"|has won an IndyCar Series championship}}{{efn|name="indy500winner"|has won an [[Indianapolis 500]]}}
⚫
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Josef Newgarden]]<sup>a b c</sup>
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hideki Noda]]
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Hideki Noda]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ryan Norman]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ryan Norman]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Johnny O'Connell]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Johnny O'Connell]]
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Patricio O'Ward]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Patricio O'Ward]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Benjamin Pedersen]]
*{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Benjamin Pedersen]]
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Franck Perera]]
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Franck Perera]]
Line 516: Line 517:
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Martin Plowman]]
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Martin Plowman]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ted Prappas]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ted Prappas]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Graham Rahal]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Graham Rahal]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Greg Ray]]<sup>a b</sup>
*{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Christian Rasmussen (racing driver)|Christian Rasmussen]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Greg Ray]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}{{efn|name="indycarchampion"|has won an IndyCar Series championship}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Tony Renna]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Tony Renna]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[André Ribeiro (racing driver)|André Ribeiro]]<sup>d</sup>
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[André Ribeiro (racing driver)|André Ribeiro]]{{efn|name="cartwinner"|has won a CART/[[Champ Car]] event}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sting Ray Robb]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sting Ray Robb]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Billy Roe]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Billy Roe]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Mario Romancini]]
*{{flagicon|BRA}} [[Mario Romancini]]
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Felix Rosenqvist]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Felix Rosenqvist]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Marty Roth]]
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Marty Roth]]
*{{flagicon|COL}} [[Sebastián Saavedra]]
*{{flagicon|COL}} [[Sebastián Saavedra]]
Line 529: Line 531:
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Vinicio Salmi]]
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Vinicio Salmi]]
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Franco Scapini]]
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Franco Scapini]]
*{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Oriol Servià]]<sup>d</sup>
*{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Oriol Servià]]{{efn|name="cartwinner"|has won a CART/[[Champ Car]] event}}
⚫
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Nolan Siegel]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jeff Simmons (racing driver)|Jeff Simmons]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jeff Simmons (racing driver)|Jeff Simmons]]
*{{flagicon|CAY}} [[Kyffin Simpson]]
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Guy Smith (racing driver)|Guy Smith]]
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Guy Smith (racing driver)|Guy Smith]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Smith (American racing driver)|Mark Smith]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark Smith (American racing driver)|Mark Smith]]
⚫
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Toby Sowery]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sammy Swindell]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sammy Swindell]]
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Mark Taylor (racing driver)|Mark Taylor]]
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Mark Taylor (racing driver)|Mark Taylor]]
*{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Didier Theys]]
*{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Didier Theys]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Brian Till]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Brian Till]]
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Paul Tracy]]{{efn|name="cartwinner"|has won a CART/[[Champ Car]] event}}{{efn|name="cartchampion"|has won a CART/Champ Car World Series championship}}
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Paul Tracy]]<sup>d e</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Robby Unser]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Robby Unser]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Vasser]]<sup>d e</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jimmy Vasser]]{{efn|name="cartwinner"|has won a CART/[[Champ Car]] event}}{{efn|name="cartchampion"|has won a CART/Champ Car World Series championship}}
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Tristan Vautier]]
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Tristan Vautier]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Zach Veach]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Zach Veach]]
*{{flagicon|NED}} [[Rinus Veekay]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|NED}} [[Rinus Veekay]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jeff Ward (motorsports)|Jeff Ward]]<sup>a</sup>
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jeff Ward (motorsports)|Jeff Ward]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Dan Wheldon]]{{efn|name="indycarwinner"|has won an IndyCar Series event}}{{efn|name="indycarchampion"|has won an IndyCar Series championship}}{{efn|name="indy500winner"|has won an [[Indianapolis 500]]}}
⚫
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Dan Wheldon]]<sup>a b c</sup>
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Stefan Wilson]]
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Stefan Wilson]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Cory Witherill]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Cory Witherill]]
⚫
{{div col end}}


⚫
<br>{{div col end}}{{notelist}}
<sup>a</sup> denotes driver who has won an [[IndyCar Series]] event.<br>
<sup>b</sup> denotes driver who has won an IndyCar Series championship.<br>
<sup>c</sup> denotes driver who has won an [[Indianapolis 500]].<br>
<sup>d</sup> denotes driver who has won a CART/[[Champ Car]] event.<br>
<sup>e</sup> denotes driver who has won a CART/Champ Car World Series championship.


==See also==
==See also==
*[[IndyCar]]
*[[IndyCar]]
*[[Firestone Freedom 100]]
*[[Firestone Freedom 100]]
*[[FIA Formula 2]]
*[[Super Formula Lights]]
*[[Super2 Series]]
*[[DTM Trophy]]
*[[FIA Formula 3]]


==References==
==References==
Line 568: Line 563:


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{commons-inline}}

*{{Official website|http://indylights.com/}}
{{Indy Pro Series}}
{{Indy Pro Series}}
{{Andersen Promotions}}
{{Andersen Promotions}}
{{Class of Auto racing}}
{{Class of Auto racing}}
{{Formula Vee years}}


[[Category:Indy Lights| ]]
[[Category:Indy Lights| ]]

Revision as of 22:44, 30 August 2024

"Indy Lights" redirects here. Not to be confused with Formula Lites or Super Formula Lights.
Indy NXT
KategorieOpen wheel cars
LandVereinigte Staaten
Inaugural season1977 (predecessor)
1986 (original)
2002 (IndyCar sanctioned)
Chassis suppliersDallara
Engine suppliersMazda–AER (2015–2018)
AER (2019–present)
Tire suppliersFirestone
Drivers' championDänemark Christian Rasmussen
Teams' championVereinigte Staaten HMD Motorsports
Official websiteIndycar.com/INDYNXT
Current season

Indy NXT (pronounced "Indy Next"), previously Indy Lights, is an American developmental automobile racing series sanctioned by IndyCar, currently known as INDY NXT by Firestone for sponsorship reasons. Indy NXT is the highest step on the Road to Indy, a program of racing series leading up to the IndyCar Series.

A similar series named Indy Lights filled the developmental role for the CART series, and ran from 1986 to 1993 as the American Racing Series and Dayton Indy Lights from 1991 to 2001. The current IndyCar sanctioned series was founded in 2002 as the Infiniti Pro Series as a way to introduce new talent to IndyCar, with the moniker Indy Lights returning in 2008 when CART and IndyCar unified. The Indy Lights champion was awarded a $1M scholarship toward the IndyCar Series, and guaranteed three races including the Indianapolis 500 during this time. For 2023, Penske Entertainment announced a rebranding to the name Indy NXT.

Early origins

In the post-WWII era, through the early 1960s, American open-wheel racing cars were almost exclusively front-engined "roadsters". The primary ladder series included sprints and midgets. By the end of the 1960s, the cars evolved into rear-engine formula-style machines. Likewise, the feeder series began to follow the same mold. When United States Automobile Club (USAC) became the primary sanctioning body for top-level open-wheel racing, the ladder of progression began to change.

USAC Mini Indy Series

The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Super Vee and Formula Atlantic series were among the first formula-based ladder series. However, neither had any direct tie to USAC. In 1977, USAC started the "Mini-Indy" series, using Super Vee machines. The series ended after 1980 when USAC stopped sanctioning Indy car races outside of the Indianapolis 500.

Following the end of the "Mini Indy" series, the driver pool in the early 1980s for CART and the Indy 500 was drawn in a somewhat unorganized fashion among Super Vees, Atlantics, former Can-Am drivers, sprint cars, midgets, and even stock cars and off-road racing. In addition, a number of CART series drivers during the 1980s and early 1990s were former Formula 1 competitors, most of whom had climbed the European-based ladder series.

Original series (1986–2001)

Mark Smith racing an Indy Lights car at Phoenix International Raceway in 1991.

The original Indy Lights series was an open-wheeled racing series that acted as a developmental circuit for CART from 1986 to 2001. It was founded in 1986 as the American Racing Series (ARS). CART became the sanctioning body for the series in 1988, and it was renamed as Indy Lights in 1991, with title sponsorship by Firestone. Later, Firestone's subsidiary Dayton Tires took over as tire supplier and title sponsor.

A spec-series, CART Indy Lights used March chassis (essentially a modified 85B Formula 3000 chassis, renamed to Wildcat) from 1986 to 1992. In 1992 Lola became the primary chassis constructor to the series, using a modified F3000 chassis. In 1997, a newly updated and modern-looking chassis was introduced based on an F3000 design. It would remain through 2001. Buick V6 engines were used for its entire existence.

The ARS/Indy Lights series' championship winners included two CART champions, two IndyCar Series champions, seven Champ Car World Series race-winners and two Formula One drivers.

The Indy Lights schedule closely followed that of the CART series, and typically had a gap of up to a month while the primary CART teams raced at the Indy 500. The races were usually held the morning of the CART series races, as an undercard event. In early years, the Indy Lights series skipped superspeedway races such as Michigan, but eventually found its way to race there. In some rare occasions, the Indy Lights ran at non-CART tracks, generally as a support race to a series other than CART. In 2001 Indy Lights ran at Road Atlanta the weekend of the Petit Le Mans, and ran at Kansas with the IRL.

The Lola T97/20 was the specified chassis used from 1997 to 2001. It is pictured here at a vintage racing event in 2016.

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, CART was suffering from financial problems. Meanwhile, in 1996, the rival Indy Racing League was formed. CART canceled the minor league outright after the 2001 season. By this time, the Toyota Atlantic series was equally effective in providing CART with new drivers. In addition, the Atlantics served as a springboard for such drivers as Greg Ray, Sam Hornish Jr. and Richie Hearn to enter the IRL. The Atlantics effectively became CART's primary feeder system, and later became Champ Car World Series' official in-house feeder championship for a time.

Current series (2002–present)

The Infiniti Pro Series was re-founded by the Indy Racing League and began racing in 2002, the year after the CART-sanctioned Indy Lights series' demise. It was a spec series using a TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing) developed 3.5L version of the V8 engine used in the Infiniti Q45 combined with Dallara chassis producing 420 horsepower (310 kW). The series initially struggled to attract drivers and some races have had fewer than 10 entrants. However, with the introduction of a number of road-course races to the schedule in 2005, many of America's top prospects like Marco Andretti and Phil Giebler were attracted to the series to run part-time schedules on road courses. In 2006, a boost in prize money even further increased car counts to 16 or more, with an even six oval and six road course mix. The selected races being double races, and a stand-alone race (independent of the IndyCar Series) were scheduled on the USGP weekend.

Green flag for the 2008 Miami 100 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The series was called the Menards Infiniti Pro Series (MIPS) until 2006 when both Menards and Nissan dropped their sponsorship of the series. It was then known as the Indy Pro Series. On March 26, 2008, the series announced a changing of names, when the historical records and proprietary information of Champ Car were acquired by the IRL. The series then became known as Firestone Indy Lights.

The centerpiece of the Indy Lights schedule was the Freedom 100, contested at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the Friday prior to the Indianapolis 500. The series also held a support race for the U.S. Grand Prix, the Liberty Challenge, from 2005 to 2007. It was the series' first event that was not a support race to an IndyCar event.

On September 9, 2007, during the Chicagoland 100, Logan Gomez beat Alex Lloyd by 0.0005 seconds (approximately 1.65 inches (42 mm) at 188 mph) which reflects what was the closest recognized finish in the over century-long history of organized automobile racing throughout the world, until the 2018 Powershares QQQ 300.[1] In 2008, the margin was established by the Guinness Book of World Records as the closest finish ever in a car race.[2]

On May 24, 2013, Peter Dempsey captured his first Indy Lights win in the Freedom 100 in the closest finish in Indianapolis Motor Speedway history (0.0026 secs) in a four-wide finish.[3]

In June 2013, it was announced that the series would be promoted by Andersen Promotions beginning in 2014.[4] with IndyCar sanctioning remaining. In August it was announced that Cooper Tire would replace Firestone as the official tire of the series in 2014.[5] This resulted in all three levels of the Road to Indy leading up to the IndyCar Series being promoted by Andersen and feature Cooper tires, beginning in 2014. The Andersen team implemented a number of cost-reducing updates to the chassis and engine package in 2014 and introduced a new chassis and engine combination in 2015. On October 31, 2013, the series announced that Dallara would be the manufacturer of the fourth-generation Indy Lights chassis and it would be named the Dallara IL-15.[6] On November 1, 2013 a new logo was unveiled for the Indy Lights series[7] On November 26 it was announced that the engine for the new package would be a 2.0L turbocharged MZR-R four cylinder engine, tuned to last a full season of competition and producing 450 horsepower, with push-to-pass offering an additional 50 horsepower.[8]

Indy Lights racing at 2019 Freedom 100.

The 2020 season was canceled through a combination of low grid numbers and the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of 2021, the Dallara IL-15 continues to be the chassis employed by the series, but engines are now provided by AER, Advanced Engines Research, modifying and tuning base 2.0 liter I-4 Mazda power plants turbocharged to provide the same power and push-to-pass capability of the former engines, with the added capability of longevity: the engines are designed and fabricated to run an entire season without a rebuild. A halo was added to the IL-15 for the 2021 season.[9]

Andretti Autosport's Kyle Kirkwood captured the 2021 series championship, while HMD Motorsports' David Malukas finished second and Global Racing Group w/HMD Motorsports' Linus Lundqvist was third. HMD Motorsports/Global Racing Group secured their first Road to Indy team championship.

Firestone returned as the official tire supplier for the 2023 season. That season saw the series name changed to Indy NXT, and IndyCar assume direct operation of the series from Andersen Promotions, which continues to operate the affiliated lower-tier USF Championships under IndyCar sanctioning.

Teams

Team Base Founding Year
Andretti Autosport Indianapolis, Indiana 2008
HMD Motorsports Brownsburg, Indiana 2019
Juncos Racing Indianapolis, Indiana 2012

Specifications

Specifications (2002–2014)

2008 Firestone Indy Lights car during testing at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Dallara IL-15, driven by Matheus Leist in the 2017 Freedom 100

Specifications (2015–present)

Champions

USAC Mini-Indy Series

Season Driver Chassis Engine
1977 Vereinigte Staaten Tom Bagley Zink Z11 Volkswagen
Vereinigte Staaten Herm Johnson Lola T324 Volkswagen
1978 Vereinigte Staaten Bill Alsup Argo JM2 Volkswagen
1979 Australien Dennis Firestone March 79V Volkswagen
1980 Vereinigte Staaten Peter Kuhn Ralt RT1/RT5 Volkswagen
  • 1977: Bagley and Johnson tied in the points and were declared co-champions.

Indy Lights

Season Driver Team Chassis Engine
CART American Racing Series
1986 Italien Fabrizio Barbazza Arciero Racing March 86A Buick 3800 V6
1987 Belgien Didier Theys Truesports March 86A Buick 3800 V6
1988 Vereinigte Staaten Jon Beekhuis P.I.G. Enterprises Racing March 86A Buick 3800 V6
1989 Vereinigte Staaten Mike Groff Leading Edge Motorsport March 86A Buick 3800 V6
1990 Kanada Paul Tracy Landford Racing March 86A Buick 3800 V6
CART Firestone/PPG/Dayton Indy Lights Series
1991 Belgien Éric Bachelart Landford Racing March 86A Buick 3800 V6
1992 Vereinigte Staaten Robbie Buhl Leading Edge Motorsport March 86A Buick 3800 V6
1993 Vereinigte Staaten Bryan Herta Tasman Motorsports Lola T93/20 Buick 3800 V6
1994 Vereinigtes Königreich Steve Robertson Tasman Motorsports Lola T93/20 Buick 3800 V6
1995 Kanada Greg Moore Forsythe Racing Lola T93/20 Buick 3800 V6
1996 Kanada David Empringham Forsythe Racing Lola T93/20 Buick 3800 V6
1997 Brasilien Tony Kanaan Tasman Motorsports Lola T97/20 Buick 3800 V6
1998 Brasilien Cristiano da Matta Tasman Motorsports Lola T97/20 Buick 3800 V6
1999 Spanien Oriol Servià Dorricott Racing Lola T97/20 Buick 3800 V6
2000 Neuseeland Scott Dixon PacWest Lights Lola T97/20 Buick 3800 V6
2001 Vereinigte Staaten Townsend Bell Dorricott Racing Lola T97/20 Buick 3800 V6
IRL Infiniti Pro Series
2002 Vereinigte Staaten A. J. Foyt IV A. J. Foyt Enterprises Dallara IP2 Infiniti VRH35
2003 Vereinigtes Königreich Mark Taylor Panther Racing Dallara IP2 Infiniti VRH35
2004 Brasilien Thiago Medeiros Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara IP2 Infiniti VRH35
2005 Neuseeland Wade Cunningham Brian Stewart Racing Dallara IP2 Infiniti VRH35
IRL Indy Pro Series
2006 Vereinigtes Königreich Jay Howard Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara IP2 Nissan VRH35
2007 Vereinigtes Königreich Alex Lloyd Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara IP2 Nissan VRH35
INDYCAR Indy Lights
2008 Brasilien Raphael Matos AGR–AFS Racing Dallara IP2 Nissan VRH35
2009 Vereinigte Staaten J. R. Hildebrand AGR–AFS Racing Dallara IP2 Nissan VRH35
2010 Frankreich Jean-Karl Vernay Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara IP2 Nissan VRH35
2011 Vereinigte Staaten Josef Newgarden Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara IP2 Nissan VRH35
2012 Frankreich Tristan Vautier Sam Schmidt Motorsports Dallara IP2 Nissan VRH35
2013 Vereinigte Staaten Sage Karam Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Dallara IP2 Nissan VRH35
2014 Kolumbien Gabby Chaves 1 Belardi Auto Racing Dallara IP2 Nissan VRH35
2015 Vereinigte Staaten Spencer Pigot Juncos Racing Dallara IL-15 Mazda MZR-R
2016 Vereinigte Arabische Emirate Ed Jones Carlin Dallara IL-15 Mazda MZR-R
2017 Vereinigte Staaten Kyle Kaiser Juncos Racing Dallara IL-15 Mazda MZR-R
2018 Mexiko Patricio O'Ward Andretti Autosport Dallara IL-15 Mazda MZR-R
2019 Vereinigte Staaten Oliver Askew Andretti Autosport Dallara IL-15 Mazda MZR-R
2020 Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Vereinigte Staaten Kyle Kirkwood Andretti Autosport Dallara IL-15 AER MZR-R
2022 Schweden Linus Lundqvist HMD Motorsports Dallara IL-15 AER MZR-R
Firestone Indy NXT Series
2023 Dänemark Christian Rasmussen HMD Motorsports Dallara IL-15 AER MZR-R

1 Chaves and Jack Harvey (Schmidt Peterson Motorsports were tied in points and wins (4 each). Chaves won the title based on more second-place finishes (5 vs 1).

Graduates


  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa has won an IndyCar Series event
  2. ^ a b c d e f has won an IndyCar Series championship
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l has won a CART/Champ Car event
  4. ^ a b c d e has won an Indianapolis 500
  5. ^ a b c has won a CART/Champ Car World Series championship

See also

References

  1. ^ "To the fourth degree". IndyCar.com. 2007-09-13. Retrieved 2007-09-14.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Closest finish recognized as world record". IndyCar.com. 2008-03-04. Retrieved 2008-03-04.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Marot, Michael. Indianapolis Motor Speedway With Historic Final Lap, Huffington Post, 24 May 2013, Retrieved 2013-05-24
  4. ^ Andersen Promotions to take over Indy Lights, Racer, June 20, 2013, Retrieved 2013-10-22
  5. ^ Cooper Tires Named Official Tire Of New Indy Lights Series Archived 2017-09-14 at the Wayback Machine, Performance Racing Industry, August 22, 2013, Retrieved 2013-10-22
  6. ^ DiZinno, Tony. No surprise: Indy Lights confirms Dallara for new 2015 chassis, NBC Sports, October 31, 2013, Retrieved 2013-10-31
  7. ^ new logo image
  8. ^ Pruett, Marshall. Indy Lights series selects 2015 engine supplier, Racer, November 26, 2013, Retrieved 2013-11-26
  9. ^ Pruett, Marshall (October 7, 2020). "Revamped Indy Lights to return in 2021". Racer. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  • Media related to Indy NXT at Wikimedia Commons
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