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Road to Indy series…(continued)…
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Indy Pro 2000 is the middle rung of the ladder. The car is the Tatuus PM-18 which is essentially a stouter version of the USF-17. The chassis is the same, so teams who compete in USF2000 can easily convert their car to run in Indy Pro 2000 without a huge upcharge for a new car. The MZR-PM18A engine is also 2.0 liters but it puts out more power - 275 hp and almost 200 pounds of torque. The wings and the tires are all bigger, so the downforce, braking and grip is better.
The drivers in “IP2K” are usually experienced junior formula drivers from all over the world. As a result, the level of competition is very high, with many drivers capable of podiums and WINS. It is rare for a driver to run away with the title. The fields are smaller than USF2000 but the commitment is higher.
After 16 rounds the points-leader is rookie Christian Rasmussen for Jay Howard Driver Development. Christian was the 2020 USF2000 Champion. He is leading this year on the strength of 10 podiums, including 6 WINS. The 2019 USF2000 Champion Braden Eves for Exclusive Autosport is Christian’s closest pursuer, only 18 points behind, due to his 8 podiums with 3 WINS. In 7 previous outings at Mid-Ohio Braden has WON all 7 of them. He OWNS the track.
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Christian Rasmussen in his Tatuus PM-18
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Indy Lights is the top rung of the ladder and a fitting series to prepare to drive an IndyCar in battle. The car is the all-carbon composite Dallara IL-15. It has a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine, like the other 2 cars, but it is turbo-charged, like the big cars, and produces 450 hp with additional power available with Push-to-Pass, again, just like the big cars. It has more wing and tires than the other two cars and so more downforce, braking and grip. It also has much more downloadable information available for engineers to use, and as such is an important training tool for them, too.
The drivers come from all over the world to compete and are usually among the highest level of junior formula drivers anywhere. The value of Indy Lights is evident when looking at the roster in IndyCars, where so many of the drivers are former Lights pilots, including many former champions.
After 18 rounds the points leader is rookie Kyle Kirkwood for Andretti Autosport, on the strength of 9 WINS. Kyle aims to be the 3rd Andretti pilot in a row to take the title. He was the 2018 USF2000 Champ and the 2019 Indy Pro 2000 Champ. If he gets the Lights title he will be the only guy to win all three titles, and do it in three years of competition. (There was no 2020 Lights season due to COVID-19). The 22-year-old already has won more Road to Indy races than any other driver – a total of 30 in just 48 starts. That’s a WIN in almost 2 of every 3 races he has entered.
His competition for the crown is sophomore David Malukas for HMD Motorsports with 14 podiums and 7 WINS. Malukas is only 15 points in arrears, with 64 points up for grabs, this weekend.
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Kyle Kirkwood in the Dallara IL-15
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Friday will be a day of practice for the Indy Lights and Indy Pro 2000. Let’s make a Champion!!
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