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| September 2022 News |
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09/06 - 2022 Road To Indy Championship
09/12 - Indy Lights Champion
09/12 - IndyCar Championship Ends
09/12 - Indy Lights Champion
09/12 - IndyCar Championship Ends
2022 Road To Indy Championship
Sept 5 - This weekend’s Cooper Tires Grand
Prix of Portland brought down the curtain on
another successful season for the Road to Indy
Presented by Cooper Tires. Having arrived in
the Pacific Northwest with a comfortable lead
in the Indy Pro 2000 Championship, Exclusive
Autosport’s Louis Foster was able to put the
title beyond the reach of his rivals during the
first of three races on Friday at the Portland
International Raceway road course.
In contrast, the USF2000 Championship went
down to the wire with three drivers still in for
a chance at the crown prior to the final 25-lap
race. Once the dust had settled, Michael d’
Orlando profited from several incidents on the
opening lap to emerge from behind and claim
a victory for Cape Motorsports.
The achievements of both rising stars were
lauded yesterday evening during the traditional
Championship Celebration which began with a
spectacular reception beside the Columbia
River and with the majestic Mount Hood
clearly visible in the background.
Over $1.1 million in scholarships and prizes
subsequently were distributed in front of
almost 200 in attendance.
Sept 5 - This weekend’s Cooper Tires Grand
Prix of Portland brought down the curtain on
another successful season for the Road to Indy
Presented by Cooper Tires. Having arrived in
the Pacific Northwest with a comfortable lead
in the Indy Pro 2000 Championship, Exclusive
Autosport’s Louis Foster was able to put the
title beyond the reach of his rivals during the
first of three races on Friday at the Portland
International Raceway road course.
In contrast, the USF2000 Championship went
down to the wire with three drivers still in for
a chance at the crown prior to the final 25-lap
race. Once the dust had settled, Michael d’
Orlando profited from several incidents on the
opening lap to emerge from behind and claim
a victory for Cape Motorsports.
The achievements of both rising stars were
lauded yesterday evening during the traditional
Championship Celebration which began with a
spectacular reception beside the Columbia
River and with the majestic Mount Hood
clearly visible in the background.
Over $1.1 million in scholarships and prizes
subsequently were distributed in front of
almost 200 in attendance.
Foster, a 19-year-old rookie from Basingstoke,
England, in his very first season of racing in
North America, earned a scholarship package
valued at $614,425 to ensure his progression
into Indy Lights, the next step on the open-wheel
driver development ladder, in 2023.
Similarly, d’Orlando, 20, from Hartsdale, N.Y.,
took home a scholarship valued at $406,925 to
make the step up to Indy Pro 2000 next season.
Both young drivers have their sights set on the
IndyCar series and the Indianapolis 500.
Another highlight of the evening was provided
by the presentation of a first-ever Road to Indy
Lifetime Achievement Award to brothers
Dominic and Nicholas Cape. Their Cape
Motorsports team has enjoyed unparalleled
success in USF2000, claiming 10 of the last 12
championships, and will also graduate along
the Road to Indy in 2023 by fielding a new
program in Indy Lights.
Up next for all the teams and drivers is an
opportunity to commence preparations for the
2023 season with the traditional Road to Indy
Fall Combine open test at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway road course on October 22/23.
The championship for Indy Lights will be
decided this weekend at Laguna Seca.
England, in his very first season of racing in
North America, earned a scholarship package
valued at $614,425 to ensure his progression
into Indy Lights, the next step on the open-wheel
driver development ladder, in 2023.
Similarly, d’Orlando, 20, from Hartsdale, N.Y.,
took home a scholarship valued at $406,925 to
make the step up to Indy Pro 2000 next season.
Both young drivers have their sights set on the
IndyCar series and the Indianapolis 500.
Another highlight of the evening was provided
by the presentation of a first-ever Road to Indy
Lifetime Achievement Award to brothers
Dominic and Nicholas Cape. Their Cape
Motorsports team has enjoyed unparalleled
success in USF2000, claiming 10 of the last 12
championships, and will also graduate along
the Road to Indy in 2023 by fielding a new
program in Indy Lights.
Up next for all the teams and drivers is an
opportunity to commence preparations for the
2023 season with the traditional Road to Indy
Fall Combine open test at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway road course on October 22/23.
The championship for Indy Lights will be
decided this weekend at Laguna Seca.
Sept 20 - Formula 1 announced a 24-race schedule for next year with the US hosting 3
of them. Only 8 races will take place in Western Europe. While Germany and France
have both engine suppliers, teams and drivers in F1, they will host no races. IndyCar
should race in France and Germany next year so those poor people get to see some
racing! 2023 Formula 1 Schedule
of them. Only 8 races will take place in Western Europe. While Germany and France
have both engine suppliers, teams and drivers in F1, they will host no races. IndyCar
should race in France and Germany next year so those poor people get to see some
racing! 2023 Formula 1 Schedule
Indy Lights Champion
# of
Teams
Teams
# of
Full-Time
Drivers
Full-Time
Drivers
Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
$1 million
$1 million
$1 million
$1 million
$1 million
$1 million
$1 million
$1 million
$1.1 million
$1.25 million **
$500,000***
$1 million
$1 million
$1 million
$1 million
$1 million
$1 million
$1 million
$1.1 million
$1.25 million **
$500,000***
Champion's
Purse*
Purse*
Josef Newgarden
Tristan Vautier
Sage Karam
Gabby Chaves
Spencer Pigot
Ed Jones
Kyle Kaiser
Pato O'Ward
Oliver Askew
Kyle Kirkwood
Linus Lundqvist
Tristan Vautier
Sage Karam
Gabby Chaves
Spencer Pigot
Ed Jones
Kyle Kaiser
Pato O'Ward
Oliver Askew
Kyle Kirkwood
Linus Lundqvist
9
10
8
9
12
21
15
10
11
12
13
11
10
8
9
12
21
15
10
11
12
13
11
7
6
5
4
5
5
3, including Penske's new Force Indy
* Guaranteed three races in IndyCar including the Indy 500
** Plus $119,099 in other prizes.
*** No guarantee of IndyCar races.
** Plus $119,099 in other prizes.
*** No guarantee of IndyCar races.
The season was cancelled due to pandemic.
Indy Lights New Champion
Sep 12 - It wasn't a surprise that Linus Lundqvist took the Indy Lights title,
having led the championship all season while securing 5 wins and 6 poles, in
14 races.
What was a surprise was that suddenly the payout to the winner was reduced
by 60%. In addition, the promise of competing in 3 IndyCar races, including
the Indy 500, the following season, was no longer guaranteed.
The Indy Pro 2000 champion earned more money than the Indy Lights champion!
I cannot imagine how horrible young Lundqvist must feel! Having looked
forward to $1,250,000 and suddenly receiving only $500,000 would be a huge
blow to anyone... other than a billionaire.
Sep 12 - It wasn't a surprise that Linus Lundqvist took the Indy Lights title,
having led the championship all season while securing 5 wins and 6 poles, in
14 races.
What was a surprise was that suddenly the payout to the winner was reduced
by 60%. In addition, the promise of competing in 3 IndyCar races, including
the Indy 500, the following season, was no longer guaranteed.
The Indy Pro 2000 champion earned more money than the Indy Lights champion!
I cannot imagine how horrible young Lundqvist must feel! Having looked
forward to $1,250,000 and suddenly receiving only $500,000 would be a huge
blow to anyone... other than a billionaire.
| 2022 Indy Lights Champion Linus Lundqvist HMD Motorsport |
| 2022 Indy Pro 2000 Champion Louis Foster Exclusive Autosport |
| 2022 USF2000 Champion Michael d'Orlando Cape Motorsports |
After taking control of Indy Lights, Penske slashed championship rewards.
IndyCar Championship Ends
Sep 12 - Coming into the last round of the 2022 championship, Josef Newgarden & Scott Dixon each
trailed Will Power by 20 points. Neither were able to catch him and Power won his 2nd championship.
Team Penske won 9 of 17 races this year - Newgarden winning 5 and Scott McLaughlin 3. While
Power had only one win (at Detroit), it was his consistency which won him the title. Power had 9
podiums and no DNF's.
Sep 12 - Coming into the last round of the 2022 championship, Josef Newgarden & Scott Dixon each
trailed Will Power by 20 points. Neither were able to catch him and Power won his 2nd championship.
Team Penske won 9 of 17 races this year - Newgarden winning 5 and Scott McLaughlin 3. While
Power had only one win (at Detroit), it was his consistency which won him the title. Power had 9
podiums and no DNF's.
