Firestone Indy Lights season preview

In 2006, Firestone Indy Lights witnessed the closest championship battle in its history. In 2007, the series enjoyed a 48 percent increase in the number of cars on track. All indications are that 2008 will provide additional growth and intense battles on the track.

"Firestone Indy Lights is definitely one of the first places people look to further their racing careers," said Roger Bailey, executive director of Firestone Indy Lights. "We offer a balanced schedule of races on ovals and road courses, almost $4 million in prize money and a stringent cost containment program."

On the track, 2008 promises to be much more like 2006, when the championship was decided by two points.

Sam Schmidt Motorsports, which fielded championship-winning entries for Jay Howard in 2006 and Alex Lloyd in 2007, knows all to well the process of reloading for another championship run.

For 2008, the powerhouse team has signed three full-time drivers with legitimate chances at the Firestone Firehawk Cup.

Richard Antinucci, the nephew of 1998 Indianapolis 500 winner Eddie Cheever and a two-time race winner in 2007, will drive the No. 7 car formerly occupied by Howard and Lloyd. In addition, the team signed Australian James Davison, who finished second in Star Mazda in 2007, and Brazilian Ana Beatriz, a Formula Renault veteran.

Another Brazilian, Raphael Matos, figures to play a significant role in the championship race. The 26-year-old, who makes his home in Miami, won two Firestone Indy Lights races in 2006 and won the Champ Car Atlantic title in 2007.

He is set to drive for Andretti Green Racing, the winningest IndyCar Series team that fields Tony Kanaan, Danica Patrick and Firestone Indy Lights graduates Marco Andretti and Hideki Mutoh.

Firestone Indy Lights veteran Bobby Wilson, who has finished fourth the past two seasons, also has his sights set on a championship. Wilson has teamed with Florida businessman Neil Enerson in a new venture, Team E.

Team E, based near Ocala, Fla., is one of two new teams taking the grid in Firestone Indy Lights in 2008, continuing the growth of the series off the track.

The championship will be fought in a record-tying 16 races, including eight on ovals and eight on road/street courses.

The series returns to Kansas Speedway in April, site of the series' first race in 2002, and includes the sixth annual Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway two days before the 92nd Indianapolis 500.

"I'm very excited about the 2008 season," Bailey said. "We should see more cars on track, and in turn it should lead to highly competitive racing."

Print This Page