Joining IndyCar this weekend at St. Petersburg will be the three development series that form the Road to Indy. All three are opening their 2025 seasons as well with over 60 entries spread across the three divisions.
Champions are moving up to another level while there are a few drivers entering from other championships from around the globe. There is even a notable IndyCar team that has expanded its program into the ladder system.
Many drivers are hoping this will be their season to springboard their careers. A few drivers looked poised for that next jump while others are lurking and could be an unexpected, breakout performance.
Indy Lights
There will be 14 races over 12 race weekends this year in Indy Lights.
After the St. Petersburg season opener, Indy Lights will have two weeks off, not competing again until May 4 at Barber Motorsports Park. The weekend after that will be the first of two doubleheader weekends, this one at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis weekend on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
Three weeks later, Indy Lights will race at Detroit with Gateway following two weeks later. Road America will be the halfway point in the season on June 22.
Mid-Ohio will host the series on July 6 with Iowa following on July 12. Laguna Seca hosts the other doubleheader weekend over July 26-27. Portland will be the final road course round on August 10.
The 2025 season ends with two ovals, Milwaukee on August 24 and Nashville on August 31.
Teams:
Andretti Global
Lochie Hughes: #26 USF Pro Championships/The McGinley Clinic Dallara
What did he do in 2024: The USF Pro 2000 champion on 395 points with five victories and 11 podium finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Hughes showed good times across the board in testing throughout the offseason. His biggest issue is he is likely isn't even the best driver in the Andretti organization. Hughes will be competitive and win races. It will require precision to win the championship. Championship top five feels likely.
Salvador de Alba: #27 Grupo Indi Dallara
What did he do in 2024: Fifth in the Indy Lights championship on 331 points with two podium finishes and five top five finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Andretti should have a good group this year and there is a chance all four drivers will win. De Alba should be good but might not be good as a few of his teammates. He and Hughes could be close to one another in the middle of the championship top ten.
Dennis Hauger: #28 Rental Group Dallara
What did he do in 2024: 11th in the Formula Two championship with one victory and five podium finishes. Hauger ran the first 12 of 14 rounds, and he was the 2021 Formula Three champion.
What to expect in 2025: Hauger is the man to beat. He was second quickest at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test at the IMS road course last October. He was leading the way at the Sebring test last month. If you are winning in Formula Two and were a Formula Three champion that was once a Red Bull development driver, you are going to do fine in Indy Lights. Ovals will be new, but Hauger is with Andretti. He can trust the cars. This is the man to beat and Hauger could be a hot commodity for IndyCar in 2026.
James Roe, Jr.: #29 TopCon Dallara
What did he do in 2024: Sixth in the Indy Lights championship on 316 points with two podium finishes and five top five finishes, plus one pole position.
What to expect in 2025: Roe, Jr. performed above expectations last year. All the Andretti cars were consistently around the top ten. Roe looks set to be in the back half of the top ten again with a few sparkling days.
HMD Motorsports
Nolan Allaer: #11 Martini Dallara
What did he do in 2024: 19th in the Indy Lights championship on 158 points after contesting ten of 14 races. Allaer's best finish was eighth at Mid-Ohio.
What to expect in 2025: More of the same as last year. Allaer in his ten starts had an average finish of 14.4.
Josh Pierson: #14 HMD Motorsports Dallara
What did he do in 2024: 14th in the Indy Lights championship on 264 points with his best finish being seventh at Road America, one of six top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Considering the lack of improvement from his first and second years in Indy Lights, Pierson needs to get a little bit better now that he is 19 years old. He should sneak into the top ten of the championship.
Tommy Smith: #16 Shell Dallara
What did he do in 2024: 20th in the Formula Three championship with a fourth in the Silverstone feature race being his only points finish.
What to expect in 2025: Many days at the back. That is where Smith has been in testing.
Nikita Johnson/Max Taylor/Evagoras Papasavvas: #18 HMD Motorsports Dallara
What did they do in 2024: F
Johnson was second in the USF Pro 2000 championship on 355 points with eight victories and top ten finishes. He was deducted 30 points after a technical infringement was found after the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course round.
Taylor was third the U.S. F2000 championship on 343 points with four victories, eight podium finishes and 12 top five finishes.
Papasavvas was fourth in the U.S. F2000 championship on 326 points with two victories, eight podium finishes and 11 top five finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Here is what is happening with this entry: Johnson will run St. Petersburg, the IMS road course and Nashville as he will run full-time in the GB3 Championship in the United Kingdom.
Taylor will race full-time in USF Pro 2000 but he will run five rounds in Indy Lights, Barber, Detroit, Iowa, Laguna Seca and Milwaukee.
Papasavvas will be HMD's reserve driver, and he will not have a full-time ride in 2025, but he will jump form U.S. F2000 to Indy Lights and race at Gateway, Road America and Mid-Ohio.
Caio Collet: #23 Combitrans Dallara
What did he do in 2024: Third in the Indy Lights championship on 436 points with a victory at Mid-Ohio, six total podium finishes and nine top five finishes.
What to expect in 2025: The best returning driver from 2024 should be a championship challenger. Collet will have the advantage of track knowledge over Hauger. Collet will win more and have a greater say in the title fight.
Sophia Flörsch: #24 HMD Motorsports Dallara
What did she do in 2024: Scored zero points in the Formula Three championship after starting every race.
What to expect in 2025: Flörsch started slow in testing, but made a big leap at the Sebring test into the top ten. We have a track record where in three Formula Three seasons, 54 starts, she finished in the points once. I don't have her in the championship top ten. If 20 drivers run every race, I am not sure she will be crack the top fifteen.
Liam Sceats: #30 HMD Motorsports Dallara
What did he do in 2024: Fifth in the USF Pro 2000 championship on 256 points with one victory and five podium finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Sceats has only St. Petersburg locked down. If he can get a full-time ride, he could challenge for the championship top ten.
Haillie Deegan: #38 Monster Energy Dallara
What did she do in 2024: 32nd in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with four finishes in the top twenty in 17 starts. Deegan ran the final round of the Formula Regional Americas Championship where she placed 11th and 12th in the two races.
What to expect in 2025: Deegan is making a big jump from NASCAR to Indy Lights with essentially no open-wheel experience. She has been at the bottom of every test, but her times were improving. This is going to be a learning year. Any top ten results will likely come down to strategy or attrition around her.
Bryce Aron: #39 Jaguar Land Rover Chesterfield Dallara
What did he do in 2024: Ninth in the Indy Lights championship on 302 points with two podium finishes and three top five finishes.
What to expect in 2025: About the same. The grid is tight and Aron is going to a crowded HMD ship. There is a chance he falls out of the championship top ten.
Abel Motorsports
Callum Hedge: #17 Abel Motorsports Dallara
What did he do in 2024: Fourth in the Indy Lights championship on 332 points with one podium finish and five top five finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Hedge has shown great speed, and he should be penciled into the championship battle. Hedge should win a few races and produce better results than his first year in IndyCar.
Jordan Missig: #48 Nexus Towing Dallara
What did he do in 2024: 22nd in the Indy Lights championship on 74 points after contesting five races. Missig's best finish was ninth at Gateway.
What to expect in 2025: Missig hasn't had great seasons in the Road to Indy. I don't think he will be in the championship top ten, but he should have a few top ten finishes.
Andretti Cape
Sebastian Murray: #2 Dream Racing Dubai Dallara
What did he do in 2024: 18th in the GB3 Championship with three top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: No expectations. Everything will be new for Murray. If he wasn't great in GB3, he isn't going to be great in Indy Lights.
Ricardo Escotto : #3 Frank's Red Hot Dallara
What did he do in 2024: Ninth in the USF Pro 2000 Championship on 218 points with two podium finishes and five top five finishes. Escotto was also 23rd in the Indy Lights championship on 59 points after contesting five races. His best finish was 13th at Laguna Seca and Milwaukee.
What to expect in 2025: Escotto had a good testing pace. Looking at the grid though, there are four Andretti cars you think will be quicker, at least two or three HMD cars that should be quicker and possibly another driver or two who should be better. Escotto could be on the fringe of the championship top ten.
Abel Motorsports with Force Indy
Myles Rowe: #99 Force Indy Dallara
What did he do in 2024: 11th in the Indy Lights championship on 285 points with two top five finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Rowe had a good season going in the first half of 2024, and then he could not catch a break between mechanical issues and being caught in accidents not of his making. The misfortunate should not follow him. That alone should put Rowe in the championship top ten. He was quick in testing. If that translate into the season, he can push for the championship top five and win a race or two. Sneaky championship contender.
Abel Motorsports with Miller Vinatieri Motorsports
Jack William Miller: #40 Patterson Dental Haven Go by SAAM Dallara
What did he do in 2024: 15th in the Indy Lights championship on 216 points with two top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: More of the season. Many finishes between 12th and 15th.
Chip Ganassi Racing
Jonathan Browne: #9 Hover Energy Dallara
What did he do in 2024: 13th in the Indy Lights championship on 279 points with eight top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: For a revival of the Ganassi Indy Lights program, it has been a quiet preseason, and you wouldn't think Chip Ganassi Racing has expanded into the championship. Browne did well last year, but not spectacular. I don't see much change from his 2024 results. There has been no indication that Ganassi's Indy Light program is going to look like Ganassi's IndyCar program.
Niels Koolen: #10 Super B Dallara
What did he do in 2024: 20th in the Indy Lights championship on 140 points with one top ten finish. Koolen contested nine of 14 races. He also ran in two Formula Two rounds at Monza and Baku, and his best finish was 19th.
What to expect in 2025: Koolen has been unspectacular in his first three seasons in car racing. Don't anticipate that changing in year four.
USF Pro 2000
Eight race weekends will be held this season for USF Pro 2000, seven of which will be in association with an IndyCar weekend.
After the season opening doubleheader in St. Petersburg, USF Pro 2000 will go to NOLA Motorsports Park for a triple-header over the weekend of April 12-13. Another triple-header will follow at the IMS road course over May 9-10. The only oval race will be at the halfway point of the season with Indianapolis Raceway Park hosting a race on May 23.
The second half of the season begins with a triple-header at Road America a month after the IRP weekend. Mid-Ohio has a doubleheader on the first weekend of July. Toronto will host a doubleheader two weeks later. The season ends in Portland with two races.
Teams:
Pabst Racing
Max Garcia: #18 Advance Auto Parts/Bell/OMP/Starling Design Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: The U.S. F2000 champion on 428 points with five victories, ten podium finishes, 15 top five finishes and his worst finish was seventh.
What to expect in 2025: Garcia will be at the front and be a championship threat. He is with the right team. Pabst will put him in a good spot. His consistency can carry over to the next level.
Jacob Douglas: #19 DouglasFay Group/Fleet Cost & Care Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Douglas sat out the 2024 season due to funding issues. He was sixth in the 2023 U.S. F2000 championship with two victories and five podium finishes.
What to expect in 2025: It stunk Douglas was out for the 2024 season. His test results are encouraging. He should be in the conversation for the championship top five.
Michael Costello: #20 Proguard Automotive/EDA Eyewear Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Ninth in the U.S. F2000 championship on 218 points with one victory, three podium finish, four top five finishes and 11 top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: All three Pabst drivers are going to have good years. They cannot all be champion. They likely will not go 1-2-3. They should all be in the championship top ten. Costello will likely be third of the three, but should still have impressive days.
Turn 3 Motorsport
Cooper Becklin: #2 Helmet House Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 18th in the USF Pro 2000 championship on 90 points after contesting only the final nine races. Becklin had four top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Expectations are low. I don't think Becklin will crack the championship top ten.
Titus Sherlock: #3 Mosaic Animal Health Center/Rayne Nutrition Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Fourth in the Formula Regional Americas Championship on 185 points with four victories and eight podium finishes in 17 starts.
What to expect in 2025: This is a change of scenery for Sherlock, and the competition will be tougher. He should have some top ten finishes, but not be a regular finisher there.
Tyke Durst: #33 FHI/Relay Payments/Drive Toward a Cure Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 17th in the USF Pro 2000 championship on 107 points with one top ten finish.
What to expect in 2025: Somewhere around Becklin. A good day here or there, but Durst will not have 13 top ten finishes and a few top five results.
Alessandro de Tullio: #44 DTI Group/Sport Summa/InterMS Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 20th in the USF Pro 2000 championship on 66 points after contesting the final six races. De Tullio had one top five finish and there top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: De Tullio likely surprised a lot of people leading the NOLA test, and he had good speed at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test. It is an unknown with de Tullio if this can last over a full season. At the moment, he appears to be an early contender.
Velocity Racing Development
Owen Tangavelou: #84 VRD Racing Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Fourth in the Eurocup-3 championship on 158 points with one victory, three podium finishes and nine top five finishes in 15 starts.
What to expect in 2025: I am not sure how well Eurocup-3 translate to USF Pro 2000. VRD does have good cars. Tangavelou should have a few top ten finishes, but those might not be the most competitive days.
Max Taylor: #88 PINK/Susan G. Komen Foundation/Unicorn Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Third the U.S. F2000 championship on 343 points with four victories, eight podium finishes and 12 top five finishes.
What to expect in 2025: It will be interesting to see if Taylor's Indy Lights gig will be a distraction. Taylor wasn't blindingly quick at the NOLA test, but that was cut short a day due to weather. He should be competitive and competing for victories while possibly being a championship contender.
T.J. Speed Motorsports
Jace Denmark: #26 3-Dimensional Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Third in the USF Pro 2000 championship on 345 points with nine podium finishes, but no victories, and 12 top five finishes.
What to expect in 2025: This was a late assignment. We know Denmark is quick but he couldn't quite breakthrough for victory. He should be in the championship top ten again. Denmark was looking to Indy Lights during the offseason. I just wonder if this ride coming together late will cost him early in the championship and he isn't quite in form for the start.
Ariel Elkin: #27 Zero Network/Swift Garage Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Fourth in the USF Juniors championship on 278 points with three victories and five podium finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Elkin was in the top ten in testing. He is jumping right from USF Juniors into USF Pro 2000. The championship top ten looks likely.
Sebastian Manson: #28 Manson's TCLM LTD/Ted Manson Foundation Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Second in the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship and second in the Formula Regional Japanese Championship with six podium finishes and nine top five finishes in 14 races.
What to expect in 2025: Fringe of the championship top ten.
Jay Howard Driver Development
Tanner DeFabis: #4 Destination Athlete Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 18th in the U.S. F2000 championship on 103 points with a victory at Indianapolis Raceway Park, but DeFabis only ran the first ten races.
What to expect in 2025: Back of the championship. He might do well at IRP, but that will likely be it.
Frankie Mossman: #6 Ethika/Jaxxon/Ivy Day Spa/Arai Americas Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Eighth in the USF Pro 2000 championship on 222 points with two podium finishes, three top five finishes and 13 top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Mossman was good in testing. There are about eight drivers that are fringe top ten championship drivers.
DEForce Racing
Nicholas Monteiro: #9 Unique/Caye International Bank/Collection Suites Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 13th in the USF Pro 2000 championship on 162 points with five top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: About the same as last year. Mostly outside the top ten and benefitting if other drivers pull out of the championship early.
Jorge Garciarce: #10 Sidral Aga/Red Cola/Skarch Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Tenth in the USF Pro 2000 championship on 199 points with one top five finish and 11 top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: He will be going by "George" this year. His testing results were not quite matching what he did last year. There is a chance for a step back considering the competition that is entering the series.
Exclusive Autosport
Mac Clark: #90 Corpay Cross-Border Solution/Cubine Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 11th in the USF Pro 2000 championship on 187 points with four top five finishes and 11 top ten finishes after running 16 of 18 races.
What to expect in 2025: Better than last year. Clark looked good in testing and could be a championship contender. He should at least be pushing for the championship top five.
Joey Brienza: #91 Huntsman Mental Health Foundation/UBS Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Fifth in the U.S. F2000 championship on 265 points with four podium finishes, eight top five finishes and 16 top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Testing was a little disappointing. It is tough to gauge if it was just a matter of not getting enough time in the car. This could be a season that starts slow and improves throughout the summer.
Carson Etter: #92 Priority Workforce/GATC Health Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 16th in the U.S. F2000 championship on 121 points with three top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: At no point did Etter's speed look particularly dangerous in testing.
Comet/NCMP Racing
Logan Adams: #21 Comet/New Castle Motorsports Park Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 16th in the USF Pro 2000 championship on 114 points with one top five finishes and three top ten finishes after contesting 14 of 18 races.
What to expect in 2025: At no point did Adams' speed look particularly dangerous in testing.
U.S. F2000
U.S. F2000 will run an identical schedule as USF Pro 2000, eight rounds and 18 races, but the race weekends vary between doubleheader and triple-headers.
The first two race weeks are identical, doubleheader at St. Petersburg before a triple-header at NOLA Motorsports Park, but the IMS road course weekend will be a doubleheader. U.S. F2000 will also run a single race at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
The next difference is at Road America, where U.S. F2000 will only run a doubleheader. Mid-Ohio will be a triple-header weekend while Toronto matches as a doubleheader. The U.S. F2000 finale will be at Portland, but that weekend will be a triple-header.
Teams:
Pabst Racing
G3 Argyros: #23 Positive Beverage/Elephant Cooperation Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 17th in the U.S. F2000 championship on 112 points with a victory and five top ten finishes after starting ten of 18 races.
What to expect in 2025: Argyros ended 2024 was a surprise victory. I don't think he will be winning regularly, but he should be good enough for the championship top ten.
Caleb Gafrarar: #24 Circle K/Bell/Racing Electronics/Molecule Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Gafrarar competed in karting before running four rounds in the Formula Ford 1600 championship in the United Kingdom where he won a race and had two top five finishes.
What to expect in 2025: There is a chance Gafrarar will be better than Argyros. He will have some top five finishes, possibly get on the podium. He showed pace that could be good enough for winning races.
Jay Howard Driver Development
Liam McNeilly: #6 Acclaim Contracts/Wolf International Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Second in the USF Juniors championship on 324 points with five victories and eight podium finishes in 16 races.
What to expect in 2025: I would say McNeilly is one of the early championship favorites. He was quick at both the NOLA and Chris Griffis Memorial Test. He will definitely win a few races.
Brad Majman: #7 Nat Pat/Paul Marc Masons/Kart Class Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Fifth in the Ligier JS F4 Series with three victories, four podium finishes and six top five finishes in 15 races.
What to expect in 2025: Majman showed good testing pace. Top five finishes are likely with a good number of top ten results.
Timothy Carel: #8 Fast Toys Club Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 11th in the USF Juniors championship on 131 points with oe top five finish and eight top ten finishes in 14 starts.
What to expect in 2025: Some tough days with hopes of improving as the season goes on.
Anthony Martella: #9 NIN Transport/VPS Service Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 23rd in the USF Juniors championship on 55 points with three top ten finishes in seven starts
What to expect in 2025: Martella should get some top ten finishes. There could be days where he is breaking into the top five.
Velocity Racing Development
Thomas Schrage: #2 Doug Mockett & Company/Airport Electric Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 12th in the U.S. F2000 championship on 156 points with two podium finishes, three top five finishes and six top ten finishes after running 15 of 18 races.
What to expect in 2025: Scrhage's testing results did not quite lineup with what we saw last year. He could improve into the championship top ten.
Christian Cameron: #19 TKO Motorsport/Bitumen Group Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Tenth in the USF Juniors championship on 135 points with two top five finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Outside the championship top ten.
Teddy Musella: #25 Triari Competizione/Don't Sleep Energy Drink Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Ligier JS F4 Series champion with five victories, 12 podium finishes and 14 top five finishes in 15 races.
What to expect in 2025: Some top ten finishes, but possibly better. Musella might not be in the top tier, but second tier of drivers.
DEForce Racing
Jeshua Alianell: #11 BTEC Turbines/TWFG Insurance Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 18th in the USF Juniors championship on 83 points with two top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Maybe a few top ten finishes, but those will likely come later in the season.
Sebastian Garzón: #12 Lucas Oil School of Racing Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Competed in karting and won at the US SuperNationals in KA100 Junior and X30 Junior.
What to expect in 2025: For a driver stepping into car racing for the first time, Garzón looked impressive in testing. He will be learning though. If he has good results, he should be happy, but he will likely have a few tough days that are not the end of the world.
Brady Golan: #18 DEForce Racing Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 13th in the U.S. F2000 championship on 154 points with three top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Fringe of the championship top ten.
Exclusive Autosport
Evan Cooley: #90 Brown Brothers Harriman Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 13th in the USF Juniors championship with three top five finishes and six top ten finishes in 13 starts. Cooley started four U.S. F2000 races and he won pole position for the IMS road course round. He had a third-place finish at that round and he was fourth in Toronto.
What to expect in 2025: Cooley looked good in testing and he looked good last year in his few starts. He should be in the championship top ten with a good chance at the top five.
Lucas Fecury: #91 Grupo São Paulo/Allma Management Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 14th in the U.S. F2000 championship on 146 points with five top ten finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Fringe of the championship top ten.
Jack Jeffers: #92 Corpay Cross-Border Solutions Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Fifth in the USF Juniors championship with six podium finishes.
What to expect in 2025: Jeffers will be in the championship discussion. He will win a few races. It should not be a surprise if we see a fair number of races with Jeffers and McNeilly going toe-to-toe.
Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing
Wian Boshoff: #67 Filtaquip/Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing Development Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Boshoff competed in karting last year and this is his first step into car racing.
What to expect in 2025: This is a big jump for Boshoff. The goal should be to complete as many laps as possible.
Synergy Motorsport
Eddie Beswick: #30 Synergy Motorsport Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: Australian Formula Ford champion with three victories and 11 podium finishes. Beswick ran the Toronto round and finished 14th and 17th.
What to expect in 2025: Beswick is moving to a new country. Everything will be new. He is going to be learning in every session.
Benchmark Autosport
Ayrton Houk: #58 Wings and Wheel Foundation Tatuus
What did he do in 2024: 11th in the U.S. F2000 championship on 161 points with one top five finish and even top ten finishes after running 16 of 18 races.
What to expect in 2025: Houk was on the fringe of the championship top ten last year. I think he will be in the same spot as last year.
U.S. F2000 opens the St. Petersburg weekend with its first race at 4:45 p.m. ET on Friday February 28. Its second race will be at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday March 1.
USF Pro 2000 will race at 11:35 a.m. ET on Saturday with race two at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday March 2.
Indy Lights's only race this weekend will be at 10:10 a.m. ET on Sunday.
