Will Power took his second IndyCar championship at Laguna Seca, but a handful of other champions were decided over the last few weekends across the three Road to Indy series.
There were a few runaway champions who are ready for the next level. There were plenty of other talented drivers that provide much excitement over possible future IndyCar grids and other motorsports series. We are blessed with current crop of drivers developing.
As usual, we will look at the three championships, review the championship finishers to see how they did against preseason expectations and determine what their next steps should be for the 2023 season.
Indy Lights
Linus Lundqvist: #26 HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing Dallara (1st, 575 points)
What did I write before the season: Considering Lundqvist is the top returning driver from last season, he is one of the championship favorites. Kyle Kirkwood and David Malukas might have been the clear number one and number two drivers last year, but Lundqvist was closer to those two than the rest of the field was to him.
However, the new drivers joining this series will make it anything but a given that Lundqvist will run away with this title. He should win, but he will need to be more dominant to take the championship.
How wrong was it: Lundqvist was more dominant, he won five times, stood on the podium nine times and finished in the top five in 13 of 14 races to comfortable take the championship ahead of everyone else.
What should he do in 2023: IndyCar. We aren't sure how the seats will fall. Dale Coyne Racing with HMD Motorsports has said it is interested in expanding to three cars. That third car would likely be Lundqvist full-time. However, the Honda engine leases are all accounted for and Honda has no interest in adding another, which makes it tougher for Lundqvist to end up on the IndyCar grid full-time.
Lundqvist might have to look at other organizations, but I am not sure many are better or equal to what he would get at Coyne. A.J. Foyt Racing is a step down. Juncos Racing will expand to two cars, but many drivers are in contention for that seat. Every other team appears to be fully subscribed. Lundqvist will get some IndyCar races next year, at least three and one will be the Indianapolis 500, but his full-time aspirations will be more difficult to pull off.
Sting Ray Robb: #2 Sekady Capital Dallara (2nd, 483 points)
What did I write before the season: Robb was a non-factor for most of the 2021 season, but his testing pace had him closer to the top. He topped the Laguna Seca test earlier this month. Robb developed in each season he ran in Indy Pro 2000. Results should be better this year. He is with the best team on the grid. A race victory isn't out of the question, but I am not certain he can string together the results for a championship.
How wrong was it: Robb did string together great results, six podium finishes and nine top five results through the first ten races, but the victory did not come until the penultimate race of the season. He ended the season with two podium finishes after a pair of sixth-place finishes. With Lundqvist winning at the rate he was, Robb wasn't doing enough to challenge for the championship.
What should he do in 2023: Year three in Indy Lights. Robb is bound to win more races if he sticks around for a third year.
Matthew Brabham: #83 Andretti Autosport Dallara (3rd, 471 points)
What did I write before the season: After nearly seven years since his last Indy Lights start, Brabham is back as he takes one final crack at making it to IndyCar. If Brabham was making this move four years ago, I probably would have chalked him as a championship threat. However, after all this time away, and seeing the testing results, I think Brabham will be playing catchup the first half of the season.
He had good days in testing, but also had days where he was toward the bottom of the speed chart. Results should be better at the end of the year than at the start. He could be knocking on the door for victories.
How wrong was it: A fortunate series of event led to Brabham winning the season opener, but he was outside the top five for the next three races. He did regain composure and came on strong in the second half of the season. He should have won at Iowa before Lundqvist blocked him into the wall, but Brabham did receive justice and won at Gateway. He looked better on the road/street courses later in the season.
What should he do in 2023: This was the crossroads season for Brabham, almost championship-or-bust. He didn't get the scholarship money to get a few IndyCar races in 2023, including the Indianapolis 500. It is hard to believe the money will be there for another Indy Lights season. His saving grace could be Colton Herta going to Formula One, and if that happens there is a slim hope Brabham could find himself in the #26 Honda for Andretti Autosport in IndyCar. There will be stiff competition for that seat, but I think Brabham, deserves the opportunity. He deserves a chance somewhere higher than Indy Lights.
Hunter McElrea: #27 Giltrap Group/Objective Dallara (4th, 460 points)
What did I write before the season: McElrea was not far off his Andretti teammate Robb at the Laguna Seca test, and he has been close to the top at every test this offseason. The American-born New Zealander has always been good in his Road to Indy career, but he has yet to be the standout driver in a series. I think that will continue with top five finishes and perhaps a win or two, but another driver or two will end up better.
How wrong was it: McElrea won twice and wound up fourth in the championship, so actually three drivers were better than him. McElrea had a slow start but a tremendous finish. He had one top five and three finishes outside the top ten in the first five races. He followed that with eight consecutive top five finishes, six of which were podium results. It was pretty close between second and fourth in the championship. Any of Robb, Brabham or McElrea have a case for second in the championship.
What should he do in 2023: We know McElrea will be back for the 2023 season with Andretti Autosport, and he has to be the early favorite for the championship next year with Robb.
Benjamin Pedersen: #24 Global Racing Group Dallara (5th, 44 points)
What did I write before the season: Pedersen showed in testing he is ready to take the next step in Indy Lights. He led the Chris Griffis Memorial Test in October at the IMS road course and then led tests at Sebring and Homestead last month. Pedersen didn't win a race and really never came close in 2021, but that should change this year.
He should have a few days where he is the one on top. Can he do that for an entire season? He ended strong last year. If he repeats that for the entire 2022 campaign, with a few victories mixed in, he will be in the championship conversation.
How wrong was it: Pedersen almost had the reverse of his 2021 season where he started the season really strong, had a bad middle portion and then found his form at the end and scored a victory at Portland. Unfortunately, he wasn't consistent enough to be a championship contender.
What should he do in 2023: This is one driver who has been on the IndyCar radar basically since June and for the last three months we have known Pedersen has been linked to A.J. Foyt Racing. I don't see this as a great move for either party. Foyt is banking on the driver that was fifth in Indy Lights to raise its results and Pedersen is hoping Foyt can springboard his career at the top level of IndyCar. Neither is going to happen. I think Pedersen would be better off with another year in Indy Lights. He isn't a fully developed driver yet. Going to Foyt isn't going to help him.
Christian Rasmussen: #28 Andretti Autosport Dallara
What did I write before the season: Rasmussen has been phenomenal in the Road to Indy. Third in U.S. F2000 in 2019, U.S. F2000 champion in 2020 with nine victories and he won the Indy Pro 2000 title last year with seven victories. It is easy to chalk the Dane down as champion apparent for this year in Indy Lights, but it doesn't normally work that way. He was regularly in the top five during testing, but normally not even the fastest in the Andretti team. He will have a good year, but he will need to be better than ever to win the championship. This season could be a wake-up call.
How wrong was it: This season was a wake-up call. Rasmussen did win at Road America and the final race at Laguna Seca, but he was outside the top ten in five races. A few of those results were for things out of his control, such as running out of fuel while leading at St. Petersburg. It wasn't a bad season, but Rasmussen never looked like the clear guy to beat in Indy Lights this year.
What should he do in 2023: The talent is still there for Rasmussen to be an IndyCar driver. He is 22 years old and he will turn 23 in middle of next season, but he should take another year in Indy Lights and polish his craft. He can still make it to IndyCar. Funding is tight and it would be a bad loss for the series if Rasmussen did not return.
Danial Frost: #79 Den-Jet Dallara (7th, 382 points)
What did I write before the season: Frost has been a good but not great driver in the Road to Indy. He can finish in the top five, but he isn't a regular challenger for victories. That will not change this year. Considering the talent entering Indy Lights, Frost is likely to drop out of the top five in the championship.
How wrong was it: Frost dropped to seventh in the championship, but he did score his first career victory at the IMS road course. Frost opened the season with three consecutive top five finishes, and was second in the championship after that victory, but he had only two more top five finishes over the final 11 races.
What should he do in 2023: I think we have a good sense of who Frost is as a driver. He will turn 21 years old in October. He can stay for another Indy Lights season and probably make some gains, but he could also move on and explore other championships.
Jacob Abel: #51 Abel Speedwagon Dallara (8th, 355 points)
What did I write before the season: Last year, Abel completed his first full season in a Road to Indy series after a smattering of U.S. F2000 starts between 2017 and 2018 and part-time Indy Pro 2000 season in 2019 and 2020, though he ran most of the races in 2019. He did well last year, but never showed he was a force. There could be a few good days, but I do not see him controlling this championship.
How wrong was it: Abel never controlled the championship, but he did get five top five finishes, including three consecutive to finish the season. He ended the season on the correct trajectory.
What should he do in 2023: Stay in Indy Lights. Abel had a few good days. He is driving for his family's team against Indy Lights stalwarts. He did wonderful considering his team's position. Perhaps next year the group can mix it up with the likes of Andretti Autosport and HMD Motorsports.
Kyffin Simpson: #21 TJ Speed Motorsports Dallara/#21 HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing Dallara (9th, 312 points)
What did I write before the season: Simpson was a little all over the place last year. He wasn't the best driver in Indy Pro 2000, but he had a few promising days. He was second in the Indy Lights Chris Griffis Memorial Test at the IMS road course in October but dropped back in testing last month at Sebring and Homestead.
I don't get a clear sense where he falls. He has been stellar in some series and only good in some others. I think we will see similar results to what he did in Indy Pro 2000. There will be a few races he is on the podium and pushing for the top spot and then others when he is eighth or ninth. He will be in the back half of the top ten of the championship.
How wrong was it: Simpson ended up ninth in the championship. His best finish was fifth on two occasions but he was ninth or worse in nine of 14 races.
What should he do in 2023: Strangely, Simpson is a Chip Ganassi Racing development driver. He isn't going anywhere and we could see him be more competitive next season, but unlike Abel who was showing great pace at the end of the season, Simpson switched to a better team midseason and the results didn't really improve.
Ernie Francis, Jr.: #99 Force Indy Dallara
What did I write before the season: Francis, Jr. makes a big jump into Indy Lights after an impressive 2021 season in multiple series. This is a big push for IndyCar's diversity initiative. This will be a greater challenge for him and the team. I am not sure Francis, Jr. will be fighting for victories, but considering the gains he made in Formula Regional Americas last year, his first real season in a single-seater car, I would not be surprised if he starts slow but is in the top five and pushing for podium results toward the end of the season. This should be a two-year, if not three-year program.
How wrong was it: That push for the top five didn't really happen. Francis, Jr.'s best finish seventh in the St. Petersburg season opener. He was constantly around eighth, ninth or tenth.
What should he do in 2023: As I wrote before the start of the season, this has to be a two-year, if not a three-year program. Francis, Jr. should come back for another season. I don't want to see him leave after just one year in Indy Lights. Let's give a second season a go and see what gains can be made.
Christian Bogle: #7 HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing Dallara
What did I write before the season: Bogle wasn't ready for Indy Lights last year after moving up directly from U.S. F2000 and he isn't any more prepared this year. His results should be close to identical to the year before.
How wrong was it: Outside of the first Belle Isle race where accidents lifted Bogle to fourth, he was outside the top ten in six races. He ended up 11th in the championship like last year.
What should he do in 2023: Bogle is committed to Indy Lights even if it isn't going to pan out. Indy Lights need entries anywhere. Someone has to be at the back of the grid.
James Roe, Jr.: #12 Topcon Dallara/#11 HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing Dallara
What did I write before the season: Roe, Jr. was respectable in Indy Pro 2000 last year. This is a tougher series than Indy Pro 2000 was last year. If Roe can pull out a few top five finishes, that would make this year a success. His main goal should be to develop and look toward a second Indy Lights season in 2023.
How wrong was it: Those top five finishes never came. Roe, Jr. had seven finishes outside the top ten. The speed was never really there for a top five result. He did improve after moving to HMD Motorsports and he left the championship just prior to the Portland round.
What should he do in 2023: It wouldn't be bad if Roe, Jr. returned to Indy Lights. Moving down to Indy Pro 2000 wouldn't be bad either, but he could be done with the Road to Indy after the premature end to his season.
Antonio Serravalle: #11 Abel Motorsports Dallara/#11 HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing Dallara
What did I write before the season: Serravalle is only signed up for the St. Petersburg season opener. Even if he runs more races or a full season, I do not expect much change from what we saw in 2021.
How wrong was it: Serravalle did get six more race weekends with HMD Motorsports, but he did not run the final five races of the season. He did not score a top five finish, like last season, and he was 12th in the championship, like last season.
What should he do in 2023: I sense this is the last we have seen from Serravalle in Indy Lights. It will be on to sports cars or another discipline if he continues in 2023.
Who should we have seen more of?
TJ Speed Motorsports were clearly the bottom of the Indy Lights grid this year, but in a series that has been struggling for entries for over a decade, it cannot afford to lose two cars midseason. The grid started at 14 entries, which is good for Indy Lights, but by Road America it was down to 13 cars and it was down to 12 cars at Nashville. It rebounded back to 13 for the final few races, but Indy Lights needs more teams competing.
Indy Lights needs to get to a place where it has 16-20 entries in every race and it has 16-20 drivers running every race and not having two or three quit midseason.
Who have we seen enough of?
In a good way, Lundqvist and Brabham because they both showed they are ready to compete at a higher level.
In a bad way, we know what we are getting from Bogle and Serravalle.
Indy Pro 2000
Louis Foster: #90 Copart/Novara Technologies Tatuus (1st, 451 points)
What did I write before the season: Foster has a chance for the championship. He was third in testing. He is coming over from a respected European championship. The one concern is all these tracks will be new and his main rivals have been in the Road to Indy for multiple years. He should win a few races and if he doesn't experience a difficult learning curve he will be in the championship conversation.
How wrong was it: Foster did not experience a difficult learning curve, the tracks were not incomprehensible, Foster won seven races, stood on the podium 11 times and he won the championship two races early.
What should he do in 2023: Foster is taking the money to Indy Lights and he will drive for Andretti Autosport. That is a prime position for a future chance at IndyCar.
Reece Gold: #55 The Ticket Clinic Tatuus (2nd, 390 points)
What did I write before the season: Gold showed good results last year, but he couldn't quite get over the top and be one of the top drivers in the series. He was fifth in testing, and he should win a few more times than he did last year. He is going to push for the championship.
How wrong was it: Gold went from one victory in 2021 to four victories in 2022. He pushed for the championship, but Foster was almost untouchable this season.
What should he do in 2023: Move up to Indy Lights.
Enaam Ahmed: #47 Clear Capital Markets Tatuus (3rd, 338 points)
What did I write before the season: If Ahmed contests the full season, I could see him competing for race victories and have an outside chance at the championship, but he needs to be in Indy Pro 2000 for the entire year.
How wrong was it: Ahmed did contest an entire Indy Pro 2000 season, and he had a chance at the championship, but fell short. He had 13 top five finishes, but did not win a race. He was always on the periphery though and could never be counted out.
What should he do in 2023: He will turn 23 years old next February, about a month before the 2023 Road to Indy series seasons should begin. I think he should move up to Indy Lights if an opportunity presents itself.
Nolan Siegel: #8 Towne Ford/Race for RP Tatuus (4th, 333 points)
What did I write before the season: Siegel had a few good days in U.S. F2000 but never found the consistency to be a regular challenger at the front. He was sixth at the Homestead. That Gateway result shows he is capable for this level. He can be challenging for top five finishes and get on the podium a few times. I am not convinced he will come right in and be a title contender.
How wrong was it: The season started well with two victories in the first four races for Siegel, and through the first half he looked like a title contender, but the result were too inconsistent to take on the likes of Foster and Gold. It was still a good year.
What should he do in 2023: Siegel only turns 18 years old in November. A second Indy Pro 2000 season would be good for him, but he made his Indy Lights debut at the Laguna Seca finale driving for HMD Motorsports. He looked ok, finishing tenth and ninth in 13-car fields. Those results were on short notice. A few more test sessions and he could gain more ground with greater comfort in that car.
Braden Eves: #4 CCFI/Huston Insurance/Addison Holdings LLC/Coastal Local Seafood Tatuus (5th, 304 points)
What did I write before the season: Eves should be battling for the championship. He traded blows with Christian Rasmussen last year only for Rasmussen to be more dominant. Eves should win more than last year and if he does that he has a better shot at the title. Anything lower than second in the championship would be a disappointment.
How wrong was it: Eves fell off a little. He started great with four top five results from the first four races, and he crossed the line first in the fifth race of the season at the IMS road course, but a technical infringement led to a disqualification. From there, Eves' season wasn't the same. He did win at Road America, but results were choppy.
What should he do in 2023: He has spent three seasons in Indy Pro 2000. He is 23 years old. I think he is ready for Indy Lights. This season didn't go as planned, but he was still competitive and is ready for a move up.
Josh Green: #3 Session Guardian/Zimperium/Lionfish Consulting/Coach Mark Green/JHG Investment Fund Tatuus (6th, 298 points)
What did I write before the season: Green was consistent in U.S. F2000. His testing pace was encouraging at Homestead, finishing eighth. This is a greater challenge than a year before. A few top five finishes with an occasional trip to the podium would be a good year for him.
How wrong was it: One victory and four podium finishes highlighted Green's season. He was in the fight for a top five championship finish for the entire year.
What should he do in 2023: Another year in Indy Pro 2000. This was a good year, but work still needs to be done.
Kiko Porto: #1 Banco Daycoval/Petromega Tatuus (7th, 290 points)
What did I write before the season: Porto was a quick driver in his first two U.S. F2000 seasons. Prior to that, he was runner-up in the Formula 4 United States Championship in 2019. He will be competitive and could be fighting for race victories. He was 11th at the Homestead preseason test, but I don't think that is a true indication of where he will be in 2022. He will challenge for a top five championship spot.
How wrong was it: Porto did win at Mid-Ohio, but he was not regularly contending for race victories. He was a second tier Indy Pro 2000 driver this year, not far off the top five in the championship, but never really in it.
What should he do in 2023: He made big gains between year one and year two in U.S. F2000. A second year in Indy Pro 2000 would likely match what we saw in the lowest level of the Road to Indy.
Salvador de Alba: #6 Grupe Indi/Mecano/Sidral Aga Tatuus (8th, 289 points)
What did I write before the season: Alba is transitioning from stock car racing, and he was respectable in testing, ending up ninth. He will have a few good days and a few bad days. I don't expect him to be challenging his teammates regularly. A solid top ten championship finish will be a good year.
How wrong was it: De Alba had a sold top ten championship finish in eighth with victories on the IMS road course and Gateway highlight his year. There were more good days than bad days, but he did have a few race weekends where he wasn't quite threatening the top.
What should he do in 2023: This was de Alba's first full season in single-seater competition. I think a move to Indy Lights would be rushed. A second year in Indy Pro 2000 would be better.
Jack William Miller: #40 Indy Dental Group, LLC/Patterson Dental Tatuus (9th, 251 points)
What did I write before the season: About the same as 2021, but he did improve notable from year one to year two in U.S. F2000. I feel like this Indy Pro 2000 grid will not allow Miller to make the same kind of improvement though.
How wrong was it: Miller was two positions better in the championship and he did get on the podium twice. He had six top five finishes after one last year.
What should he do in 2023: There might have been an improvement but Miller isn't ready for Indy Lights. He should stay where he is at for another year.
Yuven Sundaramoorthy: #18 S Team Motorsports Tatuus (10th, 244 points)
What did I write before the season: After a breakout year in his third U.S. F2000 season, I expect Sundaramoorthy to reset and have to build up again in Indy Pro 2000. He was 15th in testing. If he can get into the top five in some races those would be good results.
How wrong was it: It was a reset for Sundaramoorthy. He was a top ten championship driver, but had rough days. He did get on the podium three times but did have eight finishes outside the top ten.
What should he do in 2023: Compete in a second Indy Pro 2000 season.
Jordan Missig: #19 AMW Ventures/Motorsports 4 Mental Health Tatuus (11th, 199 points)
What did I write before the season: Missig was respectable in Formula Regional Americas, but success in one series does not guarantee success in another. Missig was slowest at the Homestead test. I think he will be running around his teammate Sundaramoorthy and that could be outside the top ten.
How wrong was it: Missig was right behind his teammate Sundaramoorthy in the championship and it was outside the top ten in the championship.
What should he do in 2023: If Sundaramoorthy should stay in Indy Pro 2000, Missig should do the same.
Jonathan Browne: #2 Human Centered Movement/CRPS Awareness Tatuus (12th, 187 points)
What did I write before the season: Browne is a relative unknown. I think he will struggle and be a frequent finisher outside the top ten.
How wrong was it: Browne had 11 top ten finishes, his best finish was fifth and he did start on pole position at the IMS road course. He did skip the Gateway round. But he was also 12th in the championship.
What should he do in 2023: Good question. Stay in Indy Pro 2000 and see if he can crack the top ten in the championship.
Wyatt Brichacek: #5 JHDD/CSU | One Care/Lucas Oil Tatuus (13th, 160 points)
What did I write before the season: Surprisingly, Brichacek led the Homestead test. For a driver that has never finished on the podium between 37 Road to Indy starts and 34 Formula 4 United States championship starts, I am not sure one test is enough to say he is now the favorite. I need more than a test to say he will be a champion, but I think he can finally get a top five finish and could end up on the podium a few times. We cannot entirely rule out a victory or two, but let's not pencil those down just yet.
How wrong was it: Testing results were misleading and Brichacek was 13th in the championship. He didn't get on a podium, but he did have two top five finishes. He did finish outside the top ten in eight of 14 starts and he did not compete in the final two race weekends.
What should he do in 2023: He isn't Indy Lights quality. Not completing the season does not suggest he will return to the Road to Indy in 2023.
Colin Kaminsky: #27 Slick Lock Machine Tatuus (14th, 144 points)
What did I write before the season: We know Kaminsky is a good driver after finishing eighth in this championship in 2020. He was 13th in testing, which raises an eyebrow. If he is full-time, he can finish in the top ten in the championship, but I do think he can break the top five.
How wrong was it: Kaminsky was not full time but he had three podium finishes. The problem is he was tenth or worse in six of the first ten races. His points per race suggest he would have been ninth in the championship.
What should he do in 2023: He is good, but Indy Pro 2000 could be the plateau for his Road to Indy career. He could find his footing in sports cars.
Who should we have seen more of?
Christian Brooks was initially going to drive for Exclusive Autosport and be teammate to Louis Foster in the 2022 season. Brooks was third in the opening practice session, but he had an accident in qualifying that damaged the car and did not allow him to participate in the rest of the weekend. Brooks didn't appear again this season. After finishing sixth in the 2021 U.S. F2000 championship and being fifth in both races of the 2021 Indy Pro 2000 season finale at Mid-Ohio, it felt like Brooks would have been a strong competitor this season and made some noise. Hopefully we see him in competition again somewhere soon.
Also, it would have been nice if Kaminsky had seen out a full season.
Who have we seen enough of?
Not in a negative way, but I think we know where the ceiling is for the likes of Jack William Miller and Yuven Sundaramoorthy.
U.S. F2000
Michael d'Orlando: #4 Focused Project Management/UFC Gym - Mamaroneck/Design Build Collaborative/Dino Luzzi Energy Drink Tatuus (1st, 387 points)
What did I write before the season: D'Orlando is the championship favorite. Kiko Porto had a stronger end to the 2021 season, but d'Orlando was not far off. He ended the season with four consecutive pole positions, but he couldn't translate those into race victories. I expect an improvement on that. He was fastest at the Homestead test. The championship goes through him.
How wrong was it: Though the championship favorite won the championship, this title was anything but that straightforward for d'Orlando. He entered the final weekend 22 points behind Myles Rowe and it took winning the final race for d'Orlando to be champion, but it was him and Rowe for the entire season. D'Orlando won four races, stood on the podium eight times and he had 14 top five finishes.
What should he do in 2023: D'Orlando is more than ready to move up to Indy Pro 2000.
Myles Rowe: #22 Penske Entertainment Tatuus (2nd, 381 points)
What did I write before the season: Rowe showed potential in 2021, but also was caught in many accidents. If he can limit the damage, he should make a jump up the championship. He was 14th in the test. This is a program he has crowd sourced for funding. There is a lot of pressure on him. I think he can be in the top ten of the championship.
How wrong was it: While Rowe was in the top ten of the championship, he was much better than just being in the top ten. He was one of the best drivers of the season with five victories and ten podium finishes. Unfortunately, a few bad results really cost him the championship. He had accident battling for the lead on the final lap of the first race at St. Petersburg, he was knocked off the road while in second late in the first Portland race before contact with his teammate Jace Denmark ruined the second Portland race and he had to drive from the back to fifth in the final race of the season. If in just one of those races he just settles for second or third or even fourth, he is champion. With all that said, this was a tremendous improvement from 2021 and a sign of incredible growth.
What should he do in 2023: Rowe is ready for Indy Pro 2000.
Jace Denmark: #23 Metal Works Custom Fabrication Tatuus (3rd, 363 points)
What did I write before the season: Denmark had a good year one and he should improve, but I am not sure he will be contending for race victories regularly. I expect more top five finishes than the year before.
How wrong was it: Denmark was third in the championship, an eight-spot improvement from 11th in 2021. He did win four races, including cleaning up the mess created on the final lap of race one in St. Petersburg. He went from two top five finishes to 13 top five finishes, nine of which were podium results.
What should he do in 2023: He turned 18 in the middle of this season, but I think he is ready for Indy Pro 2000. If he stays in U.S. F2000, he will be one of the championship favorites.
Jagger Jones: #3 Cape Motorsports Tatuus (4th, 294 points)
What did I write before the season: Jones led the Chris Griffis Memorial Test last autumn and he was second in the Homestead preseason test. This is a significant shift from stock cars, especially after an extended period off. So far, the results are promising. It feels like he is bound to win a few races, but can he put a complete year together? He should be in the top five of the championship. If everything goes right and mistakes are minimized, a championship is not out of the question.
How wrong was it: Jones was fourth in the championship and he only won one race. Considering his shift to single-seater cars, it is surprising Jones had most of his success early in the season and results fell off as the season went along. It was an encouraging year for Jones.
What should he do in 2023: The 2023 plans are already confirmed. Jones will leap up to Indy Lights next year with Cape Motorsports. That is a mighty jump. A few drivers have done it before, but it is a tremendous gamble. The difference between Jones and other U.S. F2000 drivers is he was 20 years old and a rookie in this series. You don't need to be in IndyCar by the age of 22, but you also don't want to be stuck at the bottom of the ladder system at that age. I think Jones is ready for Indy Pro 2000, but another year in U.S. F2000 wouldn't have hurt. Jumping to Indy Lights is a risk, but one he almost has to take considering his age.
Billy Frazer: #92 Cambridge Global Services/Giltrap Group Tatuus (5th, 268 points)
What did I write before the season: Frazer was just behind his teammate and fellow countryman in testing. Frazer will be fighting for more top five finishes and be on the podium a few times. There could be a race or two where he is sniffing a victory.
How wrong was it: Frazer went from two top five finishes to seven top five finishes, however, all seven of those results were podium finishes. Frazer was either fighting at the very front or outside the top ten. In the final ten races, Frazer was third in three races and outside the top ten in the other seven. If he had any shred of consistency, he might have been in the title fight. He didn't win a race but he was there.
What should he do in 2023: The pace is there for Frazer to move up to Indy Pro 2000, but his form suggests he should stay in U.S. F2000 and work on getting better finishes.
Thomas Nepveu: #10 Cromwell/Pétrole Bélanger/Home Hardware/Espace Papier Tatuus (6th, 262 points)
What did I write before the season: This could be a breakout year for Nepveu. He did well last year in U.S. F2000 considering his limited experience in car racing. There is plenty of ground to gain and I think he can do it. He has an outside shot at the championship, and he could win multiple times this year. Nepveu was third in testing.
How wrong was it: Victory did not come to Nepveu in 2022, but he was leading the first race at St. Petersburg when he and Rowe got together. After that accident, it shocked Nepveu's season and he was around the top five, but wasn't showing that same race contending pace. It took him until the tenth race of the season to get a podium. It was a good year and he showed better consistency than Frazer.
What should he do in 2023: A third year in U.S. F2000 wouldn't be a bad thing, but I do think he could move to Indy Pro 2000 and do well there.
Nicky Hays: #5 Touchstone Helicopters/Molecule Sports/Sparco USA Tatuus (7th, 235 points)
What did I write before the season: Hays was 12th in the test. While not completely out of racing, he wasn't in a major series last year. He will be fighting just to break into the top ten of the championship.
How wrong was it: Hays had a good season and ended up seventh in the championship. At the end of the season, he stood on the podium in the final two races, two runner-up finishes. He did have 12 top ten finishes.
What should he do in 2023: Stay in U.S. F2000. He should be one of the title contenders next year.
Christian Weir: #32 EComfort.com/Ferguson/ProFlow Tatuus (8th, 229 points)
What did I write before the season: Last year was a good audition for Weir. He is only 15 years old. He should be a regular top ten finishes and could get into the top five a few times. He should be developing for another year in this series.
How wrong was it: Weir had 11 top ten finishes, two of which were podium results. He had four total top five results.
What should he do in 2023: He turns 16 years old next year. Stay in U.S. F2000. There is no rush to get into IndyCar. Stay in U.S. F2000 and aim for Indy Pro 2000 in 2024. He could still make it to IndyCar by the age of 20 at that pace.
Bijoy Garg: #12 DEForce Racing Tatuus (9th, 203 points)
What did I write before the season: Considering he had only one top ten finish, Garg should do significantly better this year. He was ninth in testing, but I do not see him fighting with Nepveu. A few top five finishes would be a good year for him, but that is setting the bar high.
How wrong was it: Garg was third in the opening race at St. Petersburg and runner-up at Indianapolis Raceway Park. He had four total top five finishes, but he did not compete in the final round at Portland, easily costing him at least two positions in the championship.
What should he do in 2023: This was Garg's third season competing in U.S. F2000. He really put in a lot of time developing for this year. It was his best year by far, but the more fulfilling path would be exploring sports car racing rather than moving to Indy Pro 2000.
Spike Kohlbecker: #33 tierpoint/KhS/Rsolution/True Title Company/Fort Family Foundation Tatuus (10th, 200 points)
What did I write before the season: After ending up tenth in testing, I think Kohlbecker will be around where he was last year. I am not anticipating a giant leap forward.
How wrong was it: Kohlbecker went backward. He went from seventh in the championship to tenth in the championship. He went from 13 top ten finishes to 12 top ten finishes.
What should he do in 2023: He turns 20 years old this December. If he wants to return to U.S. F2000, he is more than welcome to do so.
Dylan Christie: #11 Stilo Tatuus (11th, 188 points)
What did I write before the season: After ending up 16th in testing, I do not foresee a major gain this year.
How wrong was it: There was a minor gain. Christie was up four positions in the championship from last year and he had ten top ten finishes, three of which were top five results, including a third at Toronto. He had four top ten finishes during the entire 2021 season.
What should he do in 2023: Christie will only turn 19 years old during the offseason. Another year in U.S. F2000 could see greater improvement.
Jacob Douglas: #9 JDM Properties/Estim8/TC Performance/Kartstore.nz/DP Homes Tatuus (12th, 179 points)
What did I write before the season: Douglas is completely new, but he was fifth in testing. Like Yeoroo Lee, I think there will be some races where Douglas is on it and others where he is fighting to make time.
How wrong was it: Douglas didn't live up to the testing results and he wasn't close to teammate Billy Frazer, but Douglas did get better as the season went along. After no top ten finishes in the first eight races, he had three top five finishes and seven top ten results in the final ten races.
What should he do in 2023: Stick around U.S. F2000 because he is on track for a pretty good season in 2023.
Jorge Garcíarce: #9 Sidral Aga/Red Cola/Skarch Tatuus (13th, 142 points)
What did I write before the season: After being 11th in the test, fringe top ten driver.
How wrong was it: Not quite fringe of the top ten, but he did get four top ten finishes in the final four races.
What should he do in 2023: Garcíarce is only 17 years old. Stay where he is at.
Simon Sikes: #19 America's Pharmacy Source/ERA/Medi-Share/Metalloid/Group6 Gear Tatuus (14th, 119 points)
What did I write before the season: Sikes has been hanging around the Road to Indy for the last two years, but he has yet to complete a full season in U.S. F2000. Considering his SCCA success, if he got a full season, I think he could contend for the championship. But he has yet to get that break and he is 21 years old. It feels like now or never for him.
How wrong was it: Sikes was not full-time but he had nine top ten finishes from the first nine races. Based on points per start, he was on pace to be seventh in the championship.
What should he do in 2023: Race somewhere where he can be full-time and properly display his talent.
Jackson Lee: #2 IU Simon Cancer Center/Browning Chapman/Race for RP/SPRUCE Cold Brew Coffee/Caldwell Subways/Caldwell Realty Tatuus (15th, 109 points)
What did I write before the season: Lee had a few bright moments last year. Things should improve in year two, but he was 15th in testing. It will be tough to break the top ten in the championship.
How wrong was it: Lee had three top ten finishes in the first 13 races, but crash damage ended his season after the Mid-Ohio round. His points per race was only set to get him 13th in the championship.
What should he do in 2023: It isn't good when a season ends early. In two U.S. F2000 season, results have not been spectacular. However, racing in sports cars, whether that is an LMP3 car or a GT4 or TCR machine in IMSA's Michelin Pilot Challenge series are great options.
Who should we have seen more of?
And we will likely see more of him in 2023, it is Mac Clark. The Canadian driver debuted at the Portland round and was fourth and first in the first two races. Clark leads the USF Juniors championship with only a triple-header at Circuit of the Americas this weekend remaining. Clark is 18 years old and a late bloomer of sorts, but he was second in the 2021 Formula 4 United States Championship. Clark looks ready for full-time U.S. F2000 participation.
Also, Alex Quinn! Quinn showed up to the IMS road course round and swept the triple-header. Quinn is likely much better than U.S. F2000, at least Indy Pro 2000 if not Indy Lights would benefit from his presence. Quinn has respectable results in European junior series, but he isn't a top prospect for Formula One teams. The United States could boost his career greatly.
Who have we seen enough of?
It is the entry level to the Road of Indy. No one has had enough time.
Looking to 2023
On the Indy Lights side, HMD Motorsports is committed to eight Indy Lights entries for the 2023 season. Not all the drivers have been announced, but with eight cars from one team, Indy Lights has to be set for its largest grid since the 2015 season.
This was already a good Indy Lights year with at least 13 entries for 11 of 14 races. The series still has work to do and the quality could drastically improve at the bottom of the grid, but for a series that was struggling to get double figures not long ago, to have eight cars accounted for from one team, Indy Lights should be pushing 16 to 18 entries in 2023.
The major concern is HMD Motorsports spreading itself too thin. Four cars is more than enough for any team in a series. HMD doesn't have to supply more. While it won the championship with Lundqvist, its next best driver in the championship was Frost in seventh. The six HMD drivers not named Lundqvist had a combined one top five finish in the final seven races of the season. This organization should be cautious of diminishing returns.
The big change for Indy Lights next year will be the return to Firestone tires after Cooper Tires supplied the series since the 2014 season. It is a clean slate for any returning drivers. They will all have to learn the Firestone rubber, but next Indy Lights season could be better preparation for IndyCar than recent seasons. The Firestone tires should be closely related to the IndyCar tires and that should ease the transition to IndyCar in the 2024 season.
This should be good for IndyCar and Indy Lights because more Firestone rubber on the track should lead for better racing as the track surface should have more grip, especially on ovals. With anywhere from 12-18 Indy Lights cars potentially running at Iowa or Gateway, hopefully that provides extra rubber on the racing surface and widens the racing groove for drivers from both series.
This is the most optimistic I have felt about Indy Lights since the introduction of the current chassis in 2015. The shortened schedule with fewer doubleheaders worked keep down costs. It is tough running at fewer tracks and have long gaps in the season, but it is necessary at the moment. Indy Lights must maintain a healthy grid size, and as FIA Super License points have been a topic of discussion recently, Indy Lights should make sure it qualifies for those points and attracts drivers. The series must be an option for aspiring talent for wherever they hope to go in their racing career. The same is true for Indy Pro 2000 and U.S. F2000. These are development series after all. None of these drivers are supposed to stick around long at any one level.
Indy Pro 2000 and U.S. F2000 have had grid size dip a little in recent years, but they have remained steady. It is a concern. We really don't want to see either series shrink smaller than their current sizes.
One thing that should be noted is the amount of American talent in the system. The top four drivers in U.S. F2000 were Americans and nine of the top 11 were Americans with a Canadian mixed in. Three of the top five and six of the top ten in Indy Pro 2000 were American drivers with a Mexican mixed in the top ten. Six of the top ten drivers in Indy Lights hold an American passport. The system is working in attracting and developing North American talent, but it is also drawing quality competitors from other continents as well who see the Road to Indy as a launchpad to a full career in motorsports.
This was a positive year for the Road to Indy system. It is on track to continue upward in 2023.
