This preview will take you series-by-series at most of the drivers fighting for a championship and the coveted scholarships to help progress to the next rung of the ladder system.
Indy Lights
This is year three for the IL-15 chassis with Mazda engines and all ten race weekends will be in conjunction with IndyCar races, starting this weekend in St. Petersburg. Indy Lights takes a month off before a doubleheader at Barber April 22-23rd and a doubleheader on the IMS road course May 12-13th. The Freedom 100 will be the seventh race of the 2017 season held on its now accustomed Carb Day afternoon, May 26th.
The halfway mark of the 2017 season comes at Road America on June 24-25th with the second oval of the season being Iowa on July 9th. Indy Lights doesn't return to a street circuit until the Toronto doubleheader on July 14-15th and the series closes out the month July 29-30th at Mid-Ohio. Gateway returns to the Indy Lights schedule for the first time since 2003 with a race on August 26th and the season finale will be one single race at Watkins Glen on September 3rd.
Teams
Belardi Auto Racing
Santiago Urrutia: #5 Belardi Auto Racing Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished second in the Indy Lights championship after winning four races and scoring seven podium finishes.
What to expect in 2017: Urrutia returns for a second season in Indy Lights and he should be considered one of the favorites for the championship. The Uruguayan has moved to Belardi Auto Racing after driving for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in 2016. SPM has withdrawn for the Indy Lights championship but Urrutia has gone to the team that won the 2014 title with Gabby Chaves and the team was strong in 2016 with Zach Veach and Felix Rosenqvist each winning multiple races.
Aaron Telitz: #9 Mazda/Rice Lake Weighing Systems Mazda
What did he do in 2016: Telitz won the Pro Mazda championship with six victories and 13 podium finishes in 16 races.
What to expect in 2017: History shows that Pro Mazda champions find success in Indy Lights. The last six Pro Mazda champions have won an Indy Lights race in the succeeding season. I think Telitz could be on the fringe of contending for the championship. He has a tough teammate to beat but it will be a good measuring stick for the 25-year-old Wisconsinite.
Shelby Blackstock: #51 Starstruck Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished eighth in his second year in Indy Lights and had four top five finishes with his best finish being fourth on two occasions.
What to expect in 2017: The Tennessean move to Belardi Auto Racing after five seasons with Andretti Autosport in all three Road to Indy series. Blackstock has been respectable everywhere he has gone but he has yet to breakthrough and be a championship contender in any series. He should be around the middle of the field all season.
Juncos Racing
Kyle Kaiser: #18 Juncos Racing Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished third in his second year in Indy Lights and won two races and had eight podium finishes.
What to expect in 2017: Like Urrutia, Kaiser should be in the championship conversation all season. Kaiser in his previous four seasons in the Road to Indy had a tendency to tear up equipment but he was clean last year and Juncos Racing has the equipment to win the title, not to mention Kaiser could potentially be looking at a shot in the Indianapolis 500 as the team expands its operations to IndyCar.
Nicolas Dapero: #31 American Brokers Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished fifth in Pro Mazda and won one race and had five podium finishes, including three consecutive to close out the season.
What to expect in 2017: While you might shake your head at a driver who finished fifth out of six full-time drivers, Dapero improved in each race in 2016. I don't think Dapero will be have the pace of his teammate but I think he will be somewhere in the middle and at 19 years old this season will be a stepping stone for a second year of Indy Lights for the Argentine in 2018.
Andretti Autosport
Nico Jamin: #27 Andretti Autosport Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished third in Pro Mazda and won twice and had six podium finishes.
What to expect in 2017: The Frenchman was fastest at the oval test at Homestead and second in the road course test last week and like Daparo, Jamin improved at the end of the season with all six of his podium finishes coming in the final eight Pro Mazda races. I think Jamin will contend for a few race victories and could be in the title conversation.
Dalton Kellett: #28 K-Line Insulators USA, Inc. Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished tenth in Indy Lights with his best finish being third in the Freedom 100.
What to expect in 2017: Kellett enters his second Indy Lights season and in 75 Road to Indy starts he has three podiums and he has never finished better than tenth in any championship. Signs don't point to any of that changing but Kellett was fastest in the morning session of the Homestead oval test. However, anything better than ninth or tenth in the championship shouldn't be expected.
Ryan Norman: #48 Flip Side Mazda/Aggressive Sound Mazda
What did he do in 2016: Norman won the Atlantic Championship after winning eight of 14 races with 11 podium finishes.
What to expect in 2017: The Ohioan was seventh fastest in the oval test and 14th out of 15th in the road course test. The Atlantic Championship is a shell of what it once was and it's more on a level of Pro Mazda than once being equal to Indy Lights. I think he will finish on the cusp of the top ten of the championship.
Colton Herta: #98 Deltro Energy Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished third in the 2016 Euroformula Open Championship with four victories and six podiums and also had a victory and three podiums in six BRDC British Formula 3 Championship.
What to expect in 2017: He was second fastest in the Homestead oval test and fastest on the road course by nearly three-tenths of a second and he will still be 16 years old for the season opener. Herta is going to be a championship contender and he will have a great inter-team battle with Jamin let alone with Urrutia, Kaiser and more.
Carlin
Garth Rickards: #11 Luther Automotive Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished tenth in U.S. F2000 and he had two top five finishes with his best finish being third.
What to expect in 2017: In 34 starts in U.S. F2000, Rickards had one podium and three top five finishes and his best finish in the championship was ninth. He was ninth in oval test and slowest in the road course test. Expect him at the back of the pack.
Zachary Claman De Melo: #13 ZCD Montreal/Zoological Wildlife Foundation Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished ninth in Indy Lights with three top five finishes and his best finish being fourth.
What to expect in 2017: He was 12th fastest at the road course test and tenth on the oval. The Canadian had a respectable first season with Juncos Racing. I think he will find some results but spend most of the season in the back half of the field.
Niel Alberico: #22 Rising Star Racing Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished 11th in Indy Lights and his best finish was fifth.
What to expect in 2017: Alberico's rookie season in Indy Lights was surprisingly bad considering his success in Pro Mazda and U.S. F2000. He was 11th at the road course test and eighth on the oval. This is a crucial season for the Californian especially with his backing. Rising Star Racing is the same group that supports Josef Newgarden and Spencer Pigot.
Matheus Leist: #26 TMA Mazda
What did he do in 2016: Leist won the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship with four victories and 11 podium finishes.
What to expect in 2017: The 19-year-old Brazilian was sixth in both preseason tests and I think he will be a sleeper for the championship. He was consistent against stout competition in England and prior to his title he finished fifth in MSA Formula in 2015 behind the likes of McLaren youth driver Lando Norris, BMW junior driver Ricky Collard and Colton Herta. Look for him to win a race or two.
Team Pelfrey
Juan Piedrahita: #2 Petrosur Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished 13th in Indy Lights after contesting 13 of 18 races and his best finish was seventh.
What to expect in 2017: Piedrahita is entering Gustavo Yacamán territory. In 43 Indy Lights starts, he has one podium finish. In 95 Road to Indy starts he has yet to win a race. The Colombian has always been a mid-pack driver and that likely won't change in 2017.
Pato O'Ward: #3 Team Pelfrey Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished second in Pro Mazda, losing the title to his teammate Aaron Telitz by 28 points despite winning seven races and finishing on the podium nine times.
What to expect in 2017: O'Ward is only confirmed for St. Petersburg so likely you will only see the 17-year-old Mexican driving in the Prototype Challenge class in IMSA with Performance Tech Motorsports after this weekend. Hopefully, O'Ward can have a great weekend and add full-time in Indy Lights to his schedule.
Pro Mazda
This is a transition year for the Pro Mazda, as the series will debut its new Tatuus PM-18 chassis next year. The schedule has been trimmed to a dozen races over six rounds, all in conjunction with IndyCar races.
After the St. Petersburg season opener, Pro Mazda won't return to competition until the Grand Prix of Indianapolis weekend May 12-13th. The series will reach the halfway point at Road America June 25-26th. The series will have a triple-header at Mid-Ohio July 28-30th. The only oval race of the season will be at Gateway on August 26th. The season ends with a doubleheader at Watkins Glen on September 2-3rd.
Teams
Team Pelfrey
Nikita Lastochkin: #80 Russkaya Mekhanika Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished eighth in U.S. F2000 with his best finish being fifth.
What to expect in 2017: His two years in U.S. F2000 weren't the most impressive but he was a consistent driver and he was third quickest at the Homestead test.
Carlos Cunha: #81 Team Pelfrey Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished fifth in Formula 3 Brazil where he won once and had six points in ten starts.
What to expect in 2017: He was fastest of all his teammates at the Homestead test and was second quickest overall.
TJ Fisher: #82 Project O2 Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished seventh in Pro Mazda after running nine and 16 races and his best finish was fifth. He started 2016 in U.S. F2000, where his best finish was ninth in six starts.
What to expect in 2017: Fisher has experience in this car and has run at half the tracks in this car. However, he was the slowest among his teammates and fourth overall at the test, about a quarter-second behind them.
Cape Motorsports
Anthony Martin: #8 Mazda/Burgess BLA Mazda
What did he do in 2016: Martin won the U.S. F2000 championship after seven victories and 11 podium finishes in 16 starts.
What to expect in 2017: He was the fastest at the Homestead test but Cape Motorsports is still looking for its first title since joining the series in 2014. Martin will be a championship contender.
Juncos Racing
Victor Franzoni: #23 Juncos Racing Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished third in the U.S. F2000 championship and won three races with 11 podium finishes.
Juncos Racing
Victor Franzoni: #23 Juncos Racing Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished third in the U.S. F2000 championship and won three races with 11 podium finishes.
What to expect in 2017: Franzoni had tested with ArmsUp Motorsports in the U.S. F2000 test at Homestead. After two and a half seasons in the bottom rung, he returns to Pro Mazda after running partially in the series in 2015. He is a late addition but Juncos Racing is a top team and I think he could challenge for the title.
Jeff Green: #60 Juncos Racing Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He raced some spec Miatas at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Illinois.
What to expect in 2017: He was slowest at the Homestead test. And no, this is not 2000 NASCAR Busch Series champion Jeff Green.
Jeff Green: #60 Juncos Racing Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He raced some spec Miatas at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Illinois.
What to expect in 2017: He was slowest at the Homestead test. And no, this is not 2000 NASCAR Busch Series champion Jeff Green.
World Speed Motorsports
Bobby Eberle: #13 TITLE Boxing Club Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He won the Pro Mazda National Class championship, where his best finish was seventh.
What to expect in 2017: He has graduated from the National class and will now compete in the top class but he was fifth fastest out of seven at the test.
Sting Ray Robb: #14 Red Apple Marketplace Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He ran three NASCAR West Series races, where his best finish was 14th. He also finished second in the 2015-16 Skip Barber Winter Series where he won three races and had six podium finishes.
What to expect in 2017: He is only 16 years old and was sixth among seven drivers at the test. This year will be a learning experience for the driver who sounds like he came from the early IRL-era.
Phillipe Denes: #15 World Speed Motorsports Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished third in the F1600 Championship where he won twice and had 11 podium finishes in 21 starts. He also ran the final round in U.S. F2000 where his best finish was 7th.
What to expect in 2017: Denes was a late addition to the entry list. He could be the best of the three World Speed Motorsports cars.
Machiko Motorsports Development
Matt Machiko: #3 Machiko Motorsports Development Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He won the SCCA Formula Mazda National Championship.
What to expect in 2017: Not sure but he will be making a step up in terms of level of competition and he was not at the test. I am not sure he can keep up with Martin and the three Team Pelfrey drivers.
ArmsUp Motorsports
Max Hanratty: #6 ArmsUp Motorsports Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He ran eight U.S. F2000 races where his best finish was 12th. He also finished fourth in IMSA Prototype Lites, where he had six podium finishes and he finished fourth in the PC class at Petit Le Mans with Starworks.
What to expect in 2017: He has some experience in the Road to Indy series and Prototype Lites is a top series. I think he will be just outside the title fight if he contests a full season.
FatBoy Racing!
Brendan Puderbach: #31 FatBoy Racing! Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He ran seven races in U.S. F2000's National class where his best finish was 18th.
What to expect in 2017: He will be in the National class and likely at the back of the field.
Charles Finelli: #83 Allsport Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He ran three races in U.S. F2000 National class where his best finish was 17th.
What to expect in 2017: He will be in the National class and likely at the back of the field.
Kevin Davis Racing
Kevin Davis: #44 Kevin Davis Racing Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He ran four races in Pro Mazda National class with his best finish being eighth.
What to expect in 2017: Davis was a late addition to the entry list in the National class. How much he will race in 2017 still remains unseen.
U.S. F2000
This year marks the maiden season for the new Tatuus USF-17 chassis. The 14-race schedule will take place over eight rounds and all races will be held in conjunction with IndyCar races.
The series will head from St. Petersburg to Barber Motorsports Park for a doubleheader April 22-23rd. All three Road to Indy series will be at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis weekend May 12-13th and at Road America June 25th-26th. U.S. F2000's only oval race will be at Iowa Speedway on July 9th. The series crosses the border for the Toronto doubleheader on July 16-17th before a doubleheader at Mid-Ohio July 29-30th. Like Indy Lights, U.S. F2000 will end the season with a single-race at Watkins Glen on September 3rd.
Drivers to Watch
Oliver Askew: #3 Mazda Motorsports/MC Racing Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He won the Team USA Scholarship and finished second in the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone. He also won the Mazda Road to Indy Shootout
What to expect in 2017: Askew is coming off a great end of 2016 and he was fastest in the Homestead test. He is driving for Cape Motorsports, which has won six consecutive U.S. F2000 championships. He is one of the favorites.
Rinus VeeKay: #21 Jumbo Supermarkets The Netherlands/Total Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He had six podium finishes in six V de V Challenge Monoplace starts.
What to expect in 2017: The Dutch driver was just behind Askew during testing. He is driving for Pabst Racing, which started 2016 strong but couldn't match the pace of Cape.
Calvin Ming: #22 Mings Products and Services/APAN Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished fourth in the F16000 championship with three victories and 11 podium finishes. He is also currently leading the NACAM Formula 4 Championship.
What to expect in 2017: The Guyanese driver will be stepping up to deeper competition. Can he remain as successful? He was sixth during testing and has a respectable teammate in VeeKay to keep up with.
Kyle Kirkwood: #31 Benik Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He won the Team USA Scholarship where he finished seventh in the Formula Ford Festival and finished fourth in the Walter Hayes Trophy. He also finished third in the F4 United States Championship with one victory and nine podium finishes.
What to expect in 2017: Like Askew, Kirkwood is coming off a great end to 2016. He did well in testing but a concern is his team Benik was supposed to partner with Carlin but that deal fell through. It could hurt his title hopes.
Dakota Dickerson: #36 Team USA Scholarship/Mazda Motorsports Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished ninth in U.S. F2000 with his best finish being fourth.
What to expect in 2017: Dickerson improved throughout 2016 and now he heads to Newman Wachs Racing. He was ninth fastest during the test.
Andre Castro: #38 Newman Wachs Racing Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He won three races and ten podium finishes in the Skip Barber Formula Championship Series.
What to expect in 2017: Castro doesn't have much car racing experience but he was fourth fastest in the test and let's see what he can do with the returning Newman Wachs Racing.
Robert Megennis: #80 Palto Alto Networks Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished sixth in U.S. F2000 with two podium finishes.
What to expect in 2017: Megennis was the top American in U.S. F2000 last year and he should be toward the front of the field in most races.
Kaylen Frederick: #81 Pilot ONE Racing Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished seventh in the F1600 championship with one victory and four podium finishes. He also finished 13th in the final two races of the U.S. F2000 season.
What to expect in 2017: The 14-year-old was second fast at the Homestead test. His career is young but this could be a big start for the Marylander.
Åyla Argen: #82 Energima Mazda
What did she do in 2016: She finished 11th in U.S. F2000 with her best finish being fourth.
What to expect in 2017: The Norwegian returns for her second U.S. F2000 season and she was tenth fastest at the test. She remains with Team Pelfrey and has two stout teammates to keep up with in Megennis and Frederick.
Parker Thompson: #90 Exclusive Autosport Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished second in the U.S. F2000 championship with four victories and 12 podium finishes.
What to expect in 2017: It seemed like one poor race at Mid-Ohio is all that kept Thompson from the championship last year. He is one of the favorites for the title despite moving from the stalwart that is Cape Motorsports.
Luke Gabin: #91 Exclusive Autosport Mazda
What did he do in 2016: He finished fifth in the U.S. F2000 championship with four podium finishes.
What to expect in 2017: The Australian was constantly at the front last year but he didn't show that same pace at testing.
U.S. F2000 will be the first on track at St. Petersburg with a practice session Thursday afternoon with Indy Lights and Pro Mazda scheduled to hit the track on Friday.
U.S. F2000 will be the first on track at St. Petersburg with a practice session Thursday afternoon with Indy Lights and Pro Mazda scheduled to hit the track on Friday.
