Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, May 9, 2014
(INDIANAPOLIS) - The stars of the Verizon IndyCar Series aren’t the only ones competing on the reconfigured road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend.
Drivers from the Mazda Road to Indy program, which includes the Indy Lights Series, Pro Mazda Series and USF2000 series will also get to race on the new road course.
This ladder system allows young drivers to gain experience and gives them the opportunity to move up with the help of scholarships and eventually take part in the Verizon IndyCar Series.
Current Indy Lights driver Matthew Brabham, a former USF2000 and Pro Mazda champion, says he wouldn't be where he is now without this ladder series. He says winning the championships and the scholarships that come with them has allowed him to move up the ladder without having to worry about the funding needed to keep racing.
Brabham, a native of Australia, is the grandson of Jack Brabham who is a three-time Formula One World Champion and the son of Geoff Brabham who recorded a pair of top five finishes in the Indianapolis 500 in 1981 and 1983.
He says when he was looking at his options with his family, coming to the Mazda Road to Indy program was the logical step.
Brabham says seeing former Mazda Road to Indy drivers like Jack Hawksworth, and Carlos Munoz make it to the Verizon IndyCar Series gives him confidence that he can do the same. He says fans will see more and more drivers who have come through the Mazda Road to Indy program see success on the biggest stage.
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