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Mazda helps to pave Road to Indy

One of the biggest supporters of grassroots racing in America will continue its open-whell outreach in 2012.

As the title partner of the Mazda Road to Indy, Mazda will provide scholarships to the 2012 champions of the three series in INDYCAR’s development ladder system to graduate to the next level.

The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda champion will receive a scholarship to compete in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. The Star Mazda champion will receive a scholarship to compete in Firestone Indy Lights, while the Firestone Indy Lights champion will receive a scholarship to race in the IZOD IndyCar Series.
 
“We want to strengthen our ladder system to further develop, reward and advance the best of the best,” INDYCAR CEO Randy Bernard said at the announcement in Orlando, Fla. “The Road to Indy was designed to cultivate young talent for the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. In Mazda, we’ve found a partner that not only has a history of nurturing such drivers, but also shares our desire to groom the future stars of INDYCAR racing through its commitment of providing driver scholarships.”

In 2012, Josef Newgarden, who won the Firestone Indy Lights title in 2011 with Sam Schmidt Motorsports, will graduate to the IZOD IndyCar Series with Sarah Fisher Harman Racing. Tristan Vautier will compete in Firestone Indy Lights with Sam Schmidt Motorsports after winning ythe Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear for JDC Motorsports and Petri Suvanto, who won the 2011 USF2000 National Championship, will compete in Star Mazda with Team Pelfrey in 2012.

This is in addition to the support Mazda provides that will allow Scott Anderson to move up from the BFGoodrich/Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda to USF2000, and the karting shootout that rewards a pair of Skip Barber National scholarships each year.

“Mazda is pleased to partner with INDYCAR to help develop young talent,” said Robert Davis, Senior Vice President, Product Development and Quality for Mazda North American Operations. “While we are most recognized for sports cars, Mazda’s heritage in open-wheel racing dates back to 1984. Mazda has been a partner in the Star Mazda Championship since 1990 so this is a great fit for our company, our series partners as well as the drivers and teams.” 
 
In addition, Mazda will become a key partner with an increased involvement with the Mazda Road to Indy Summit held in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mazda’s brand will be featured prominently in several other promotional opportunities at INDYCAR events.

“When we launched the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Ladder in 2006, we did so with the goal of helping drivers move up the ranks. Success in motorsports is dependent upon teaming up with like-minded people,” said John Doonan, MAZDASPEED team business development manager. “By blending the open-wheel side of our ladder with the Road to Indy we are making it much more straightforward for drivers to move up in a logical manner.

Iowa's Role in the Road to Indy

Newton, Iowa found itself squarely on the “Road to Indy” when Iowa Speedway played host June 19-20 to the four series that make up the Indy Racing League’s developmental ladder system.

Before hosting four open-wheel formula car races, the speedway served as a backdrop for a photo opportunity that included Dario Franchitti’s Indianapolis 500-winning car, the two cars that won races at the “Night Before the 500” and Charlie Kimball’s Firestone Indy Lights car.

“It was a pretty special experience to get to sit in my car next to the Indianapolis 500 winner’s car,” said Kimball, a contender for the Firestone Firehawk Cup – the championship trophy in Firestone Indy Lights. “The goal of every driver here is to be the Indy 500 winner one day. Having a clear-defined path that the Road to Indy provides makes everyone’s life easier.”

Star Mazda points leader Conor Daly, who dominated the Pizza Ranch 100 to win his fourth straight Star Mazda event, and Patrick McKenna, who won the “Night Before the 500’s” USF2000 event in May, also participated in the photo. Sage Karam won his third race in four starts in Iowa.

McKenna, who finished sixth in Iowa, enjoyed spending ti