With 2019 coming to a close and winter testing completed for the Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires series, I wanted to take a look at the potential grid for the 2020 Indy Lights Series. As of right now the 2020 grid looks like it will have 4 Cars from Andretti Autosport, 3 from HMD Motorsports, 2 from Exclusive Autosport, 2 from Belardi Auto Racing for a total of 11 cars competing for the 2020 Indy Light Title. I have not seen any announcement or activity from Juncos Racing regarding Indy Lights. Jay Howard Driver Development has been testing 2 Indy Lights cars, yet all indication are that if they enter, it will be for select races.
I will update this as I see new announcements by teams over the coming months.
2020 Indy Light Silly Season – as of 12/16/2020
The December Sebring Indy Lights test showed a field of 9 cars. 8 cars competed in the 2019 season finale at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Let’s take a look at the 2019 grid and see where they potential end up for 2020.
Oliver Askew
After winning the 2019 Indy Lights Title, the Jupiter, FL driver was tapped by Arrow McLaren SP to be one of their two drivers for 2020 alongside Pato O’Ward. It will be interesting to see the reaction that Askew receives by the IndyCar fans with the way that Arrow McLaren SP handled the contract with James Hinchcliffe. Askew is full of pure talent. He has been successful at every step along the Road to Indy Series, and like 2019 NTT IndyCar Series champion, Josef Newgarden is a Team USA Scholarship winner.
Who fills his seat?
In Preseason Testing in Sebring, fellow Team USA Scholarship winner and 2019 Indy Pro 2000 driver Kyle Kirkwood was piloting the #28 Andretti Autosport Indy Lights car.
Rinus VeeKay
Rinus VeeKay will make the JUMBO leap into the NTT IndyCar Series, driving the #20 car for Ed Carpenter Racing. https://33dreamsofindy.com/rinus-veekay-selected-by-ed-carpenter-racing-for-2020/
VeeKay from the Netherlands is backed by the grocery store chain Jumbo and will partner with the second team car driven by Conor Daly on the Road and Street Courses with Ed Carpenter taking the wheel for Oval races. Conor Daly will be in a third ECR entry for the 500.
Who fills his seat?
Juncos Racing did not participate in the Sebring Indy Lights test session in December.
Toby Sowery
Toby Sowery had a strong showing in 2019 highlighted by a win in the 2nd Portland Indy Lights race for HMD Motorsports. Toby was not in a car for the December Sebring Test and had been spending his time in his native England during the offseason.
Who fills his seat?
The HMD Motorsports team has not made any announcements. Rasmus Lindh was piloting the yellow livery at the December Sebring Test. Lindh also tested with Andretti Autosport during the October Chris Griffis Memorial Test at Indy.
Ryan Norman
Flyin Ryan Norman competed for Andretti Autosport for the past few Indy Lights seasons. Ryan was not participating in the December Sebring Test with the team. The Ohio native has not made any announcements regarding his 2020 plans.
Who fills his seat?
Danial Frost and Tristian Charpentier both were in Andretti Autosport cars at the December Sebring Test.
Robert Megennis
Robert Megennis was back in his familiar #27 Andretti Autosport entry during the December Sebring Testing. He was 3rd overall in the combined times for the sessions. The Fordham University student showed pace during both days of testing.
Who fills his seat?
Meginnis hopes to stay in the seat and look in build upon his 5th place 2019 season finish that has 1 win, 2 poles and 6 podiums.,
David Malukas
David Malukas is already confirmed to drive one of the three cars for HMD Motorsports in Indy Lights for 2020. https://33dreamsofindy.com/david-malukus-confirmed-for-indy-lights-in-2020/ The Chicago Native will look to improve upon his 6th place season finish in 2019.
Who fills the seat?
Dalton Kellett
Following four seasons in Indy Lights, Dalton Kellett is focused on the NTT IndyCar Series for 2020. Nothing has been signed as of yet, but the Canadian is hopeful to secure a ride with one of the remaining IndyCar seats.
Dalton was a race winner in the IMSA LMP2 division in 2019.
Who fills the seat?
Juncos racing did not participate in the December Sebring Testing.
Lucas Kohl
The Brazilian racer Lucas Kohl competed for Belardi Auto Racing in 2019. He was not driving at the December Sebring test.
Who fills the seat?
In November, Lucas posted a photo of his 2019 ride a with the caption “It?s been too long! Can?t wait to get back behind the wheel of this beast” We will look for an announcement.
Flinn Lazier tested a Belardi Auto Racing entry at the December Sebring test. Rinus VeeKay piloted the entry at the October Indy test session.
Other Indy Lights Drivers from 2019
Aaron Telitz, Zachary Claman, Julien Falchero, Jarett Andretti, and Chris Windom all made Indy Lights starts in 2019. None of these drivers have participated in test sessions for Indy Lights for 2020.
Potential New Indy Lights Drivers for 2020
Kyle Kirkwood
The 2019 Indy Pro 2000 Champion and Team USA Scholarship winner tested the #28 entry for Andretti Autosport at the December Sebring Testing.
Rasmus Lindh
The 2019 Indy Pro 2000 runner-up, Rasmus Lindh, has tested with Andretti Autosport and most recently topped the charts at the December Sebring test with HMD Motorsports.
Danial Frost
After a 5th place finish during the 2019 Indy Pro 2000 campaign, Danial Frost was testing the #68 entry for Andretti Autosport at the December Sebring Test. His time was 4th overall.
He also posted a photo of the #91 Exclusive Autosport entry days later from a private test session at Palm Beach, FL.
Tristian Charpentier
Piloted the #98 Andretti Autosport entry during the December Sebring Test session.
Antonio Serravalle
Antonio Serravalle drove for HMD Motorports during the December Sebring Test Session.
Nikita Lastochkin
Nikita Lastochkin piloted an entry for Exclusive Autosport for the December Sebring Test.
Flinn Lazier
Flinn Lazier drove the #4 Belardi Auto Racing car for the December Sebring Test.
Christian Bogle
Christian Bogle turned laps in a Jay Howard Driver Development car at the Yacademy test in Palm Beach and Homestead as well as for the December Sebring Test.
Egor Orudzhev
The SMP Racing driver, Egor Orudzhev tested with Andretti Autosport at the October Indy test.
Would love to hear your comments. How many cars do you think will be on the grid for the 2020 Indy Lights season opener in St Pete?
