'10 Tentative Entry List - Work in Progress

Allan Craighead

With the 2009 Indy Lights season now completed, attention has already turned to the upcoming 2010. The following is the tentative entry list that we will keep updated through the winter, complete with the status of what we are hearing on the streets.

AFS Racing/Andretti Autosport
Driver - Martin Plowman (confirmed)
Driver - Charlie Kimball (confirmed)
Notes: The two-time returning champions will again run a two-car team in the 2010 championship. Second-year driver Martin Plowman has already joined the team, with several drivers in contention for the second race seat.
- Second-year driver Charlie Kimball has tested with the AGR-AFS Racing at both Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Kentucky Speedway and is rumored to be close to signing with the team.
- Formula 3 Euro Series race winner Stefano Coletti tested with the team at Putnam Park.
- It has been rumored that Sebastian Saavedra will rejoin the squad following a successful rookie season.
- The recently re-badged AFS Racing/Andretti Autosport squad has signed Charlie Kimball for the 2010 season.

Alliance Motorsports
Driver - Mike Potekhen ( yet to be confirmed)
Notes: The Indiana-based squad is schedule to return for a third season of Indy Lights competition. Mike Potekhen would likely once again act as the lead driver, but nothing has been finalized.

Andersen Racing
Driver - Carmen Jorda (confirmed)
Driver - Joel Miller (confirmed - selected races)
Notes: Andersen Racing will once again take part in the Indy Lights series in 2010 via a multi-car effort. Brazilian Mario Romancini is reportedly planning on returning for a second season of competition with the team, while series veteran Sean Guthrie is believed to be looking at joining the squad full-time.
- Second-year driver Gustavo Yacaman is slated to test with Andersen Racing at Sebring International Raceway.
- Star Mazda drivers Richard Kent and Denis Navarro will test with the team in November at Sebring.
- With double race winner Mario Romancini offering advice and assistance, Yacaman, Kent and Navarro enjoyed successful tests at Sebring prior to the holiday season getting underway.
- Adam Christodoulou will test with Andersen Racing as part of his prize for winning the 2009 Star Mazda Championship. He however is not expected to race in the Indy Lights series this coming season.
- Spanish F3 driver Carmen Jorda, having previously been linked with Walker Racing, is scheduled to drive for Andersen Racing in the upcoming series test at Barber Motorsports Park.
- It now appears that Mario Romancini will not return to Andersen Racing and/or the Indy Lights after being linked with an IndyCar Series ride with Conquest Racing.
- Carmen Jorda has signed with the team following successful tests at Sebring International Raceway and Barber Motorsports Park.
- American Joel Miller will rejoin Andersen Racing, having previously raced in Star Mazda with the team for Round Three at Long Beach.

Brian Stewart Racing
Driver - TBA
Driver - TBA
Notes: The Canadian-based former series champions are expected to return in 2010, with either a single or two-car operation.
- It is believed that Brian Stewart Racing has sold its Indy Lights cars and will not be taking part in the series this coming season.

Brooks Associates Racing
Driver - TBA
Notes: Former Atlantic Championship of the Year, Brooks Associates Racing will make their Indy Lights debut this coming season. The Arizona-based team purchased a car from Guthrie Meyer Racing and will begin testing drivers shortly.

Bryan Herta Autosport
Driver - Stefan Wilson (confirmed)
Driver - Sebastian Saavedra (confirmed)
Notes: After a race-winning inaugural campaign in 2009, Bryan Herta Autosport will be back in 2010, once again joining forces with Vision Racing via a technical partnership.
- Lead A1GP Team China driver Cong Fu Cheng is scheduled to test with the Indiana team at Barber Motorsports Park.
- Peter Dempsey, the Star Mazda Championship runner-up is reportedly in talks with the team about racing with them in 2010.
- Gustavo Yacaman is reportedly interested in joining Bryan Herta Autosport and testing with the team at Firebird International Raceway.
- Stefan Wilson is among those reportedly interested in joining the squad after testing at Firebird International Raceway.
- Wilson has become the first driver signed by the Indianapolis-based team, with a teammate expected to be confirmed shortly.
- Sebastian Saavedra has joined BHA for both a full Indy Lights campaign, as well as the Indy 500.

Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing
Driver - Gustavo Yacaman (confirmed)
Notes: Florida-based Cape Motorsports is set to enter the 2010 Indy Lights series with a one-car effort. The multiple pro Formula Ford champions will reportedly have second-year driver Gustavo Yacaman behind the wheel for the entire campaign.
- The series newcomers will be working in conjunction with sports car standout Wayne Taylor Racing in 2010.

Davey Hamilton/Kingdom Racing
Driver - Brandon Wagner (confirmed)
Notes: Davey Hamilton/Kingdom Racing plans on returning full-time to the Indy Lights series in 2010, with Brandon Wagner once again getting behind the wheel.

ELFF Racing
Driver - TBA
Notes: It is believed that ELFF Racing will return for a second season of competition, with Brazilian Rodrigo Barbosa again acting as the team's driver.
- Barbosa will in effect not be rejoining ELFF Racing, having signed with PDM Racing for 2010.

Genoa Lights
Driver - Richard Kent (yet to be confirmed)
Notes: Genoa will return to the Indy Lights series this coming season, with a planned one-car effort. Multiple Star Mazda Championship race winner Richard Kent will test with the team at Barber Motorsports Park, and is believed to be close to finalizing a deal with the team for the entire 2010 campaign.
- Unable to secure a funded driver or a financial partner, the team has ceased operations and is selling its assets.

HVM Lights Racing
Driver - Junior Strous (confirmed)
Notes: After testing assorted drivers in 2009, HVM Racing has stated it plans to race in the series full-time in 2010.
- HVM Lights racing recently joined forces with Atlantic race winners Team Stargate Worlds to test Simona De Silvestro.
- The team will not race with Simona De Silvestro in the series this season, the Swiss native having instead made the leap to the IndyCar Series with the squad.
- In a surprise move, HVM racing has signed Junior Strous for the entire 2010 Indy Lights season

Jensen MotorSport
Driver - TBA
Notes: The Canadian-based Atlantic Championship team has indicated it is looking at adding an Indy Lights program to its racing endeavors, and is currently talking with drivers about the upcoming 2010 season.

PDM Racing
Driver - Rodrigo Barbosa (confirmed)
Notes: PDM racing has announced it will return to the series full-time in 2010, with Brazilian Rodrigo Barbosa getting behind the wheel.

Sam Schmidt Motorsports
Driver - Pippa Mann (confirmed)
Driver - Philip Major (confirmed)
Driver - Jean Karl Vernay (confirmed)
Driver - James Winslow (confirmed)
Driver - Esteban Guerreri (rumored/tested)
Notes: The all-time series leader in wins and championships, Sam Schmidt Motorsports will return in 2010 with several cars under the awning. Second-year drivers James Hinchcliffe and Pippa Mann are rumored to be close to signing for the Indiana-based team.
- Adam Christodoulo, the 2009 Star Mazda Champion, will test with the team as part of Sam Schmidt's on-going Champions test.
- Alexander Rossi, courtesy of his Rookie of the Year win in the International Formula Master series, is slated to test with the Sam Schmidt Motorsports.
- Atlantic Champion John Edwards is scheduled to test with the team at Sebring International Raceway in November.
- Former SCCA Regional Formula Ford champion and Star Mazda driver is believed to be testing with the team at Sebring.
- After several successful tests with the team, Pippa Mann has joined Sam Schmidt Motorsports for 2010.
- Canadian Philip Major who has raced in British F3 has signed with the team for 2010.
- Esteban Guerrieri of Argentina, a Superleague Formula and Formula Renault 3.5 race winner, is set to test with Sam Schmidt Motorsports at Firebird International Raceway in Arizona.
- French F3 standout Jean Karl Vernay has joined the former series champions after successful tests in Florida.
- British racer James Winslow recently tested with Sam Schmidt Motorsports and is believed to be in talks about join the team in the 2010 Indy Lights series.
- Former Asia and Australian F3 champion James Winslow has signed with Sam Schmidt Motorsports for Round One in St. Petersburg.

Team E Racing
Driver - Jan Heylen (confirmed - selected races)
Notes: After a year away from Indy Lights competition, Team E will return in 2010. The Florida-based squad will have the majority of the personnel from the 2008 Team of the Year group in place.
- Former standout karter and Champ Car driver Jan Heylen is expected to drive for Team E during the official pre-season test at Barber Motorsports Park. It is however unlikely he will drive for the squad during the season unless funding is secured.
- It is believed Jan Heylen will drive for Team E in Round One in St. Petersburg, Fla.
- Heylen, who is the lead instructor for the Jetta TDI Cup will indeed drive for the team in the 2010 season-opener in Florida

Team Moore Racing
Driver - Adrian Campos Jr. (confirmed)
Driver - James Hinchcliffe (confirmed)
Notes: Team Moore is scheduled to return to the Indy Lights series, with a potential move to a two-car effort. South African Stephen Simpson has tested with the team and will join the squad full-time in 2010 should all his funding fall into place. Series veteran Andrew Prendeville is the likely candidate for a second-car should he return.
- Peter Dempsey, the Star Mazda Championship runner-up is reportedly in talks with the team about racing with them in 2010.
- Team Officials have stated Andrew Prendeville will not drive for Team Moore Racing, as he is currently not scheduled return to the series in 2010.
- Junior Strous will rejoin the series full-time, having signed with TMR.
- Second-generation driver Adrian Campos Jr. will make the switch to Indy Lights competition this coming season, driving for Team Moore Racing.
- In a surprise move, Strous' contract with TMR has been canceled, resulting in the team once again looking for a second driver.
- TMR returned to a two-car squad with the signing of James Hinchcliffe for the entire 2010 campaign.

Team PBIR
Driver - Nic LeDuc (yet to be confirmed)
Driver - Niall Quinn (yet to be confirmed)
Notes: Florida-based Team PBIR is set to contest a second season of Indy Lights competition. French-American Richard Phillippe is reportedly looking at returning to the team in 2010.
- Atlantic Championship runner-up Jonathan Summerton is slated to test with Team PBIR at Putnam Park in Indiana.
- American Nic LeDuc, a former Formula Russell champion, and Irishman Niall Quinn, a Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy champion, are reportedly set to join team PBIR in Round Two at Barber Motorsports Park.

Walker Racing
Driver - Jonathan Summerton (confirmed - selected races )
Driver - Dan Clarke (yet to be confirmed)
Notes: Longtime North American open-wheel competitors Walker Racing are poised to return to the Indy Lights series in 2010. Stephan Wilson, may return to the Indiana-based team, but is currently testing with other outfits.
- It is believed that Spanish driver Carmen Jorda, who recently drove in the Spanish F3, has signed with Walker Racing for the upcoming 2010 season.
- Carmen Jorda has elected to join Andersen Racing, increasing speculation Walker Racing will not take part in the series this coming season.
- Jonathan Summerton, having tested with Team PBIR, has joined forces with Walker Racing for the St. Petersburg season-opener.
- Former IndyCar Series racer Dan Clarke is set to replace Jonathan Summerton at Walker Racing in Round Two in Alabama.
_________________
Allan Craighead
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Allan Craighead · Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:27 am Post subject:

Defending series champions AFS Racing/Andretti Autosport have taken another step towards its goal of winning a third consecutive series crown, with the signing of Charlie Kimball. The former Formula 3 race winner will partner previously signed and fellow second-year driver Martin Plowman in 2010.
_________________
Allan Craighead
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Allan Craighead · Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 1:20 pm Post subject:

Sam Schmidt Motorsports, the all-time wins leader in series history, have signed Pippa Mann for the 2010 season. The English driver joins the Indiana-based squad following several tests with the team since the end of the season. The second year driver is expected to be joined by two-three teammates full-time next year.
_________________
Allan Craighead
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Allan Craighead · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 7:38 am Post subject:

With the Christmas break now completed, Indy Light teams are back at work preparing for the upcoming 2010 race season.

While certain websites are reporting that Philip Major has signed with Sam Schmidt Motorsports for the 2010, it has yet to be confirmed by the Indiana team or the series. The Canadian, having previous raced in North America via the Formula BMW USA and Canadian-based Honda Michelin Challenge Series, has been competing in Europe the past two years via the British Formula 3 Championship.

Newman Wachs Racing, having recently put its Atlantic cars and series specific equipment up for sale, is reportedly set to join the Indy Lights series in 2010. It is believed that American John Edwards having won the Atlantic title with the team in 2009, will act as the lead driver.
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Allan Craighead
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Allan Craighead · Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:24 pm Post subject:

As expected, Sam Schmidt has confirmed the signing of Philip Major for his debut season of Indy Lights competition in 2010.
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Allan Craighead
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Allan Craighead · Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:23 pm Post subject:

Many will have noticed that rather than Seat #1, Seat #2, etc. being listed, it is now Driver. The reason being that there was some confusion regarding whether that meant the team had a number one or number two driver (ie. driving orders). That was not the case, however EFCN has elected to change the way potential and/or confirmed drivers are listed anyways.
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Allan Craighead
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Allan Craighead · Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:28 am Post subject:

In what is a somewhat surprising announcement, Team Moore Racing has announced the signing of Junior Strous for the 2010 season. The talented Dutch driver won both rounds of the St. Petersburg doubleheader last season, before heading back to Europe at the request of his sponsors. Strous, will once again be backed by Shell, as part of the Shell Driver Development Program.
_________________
Allan Craighead
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Allan Craighead · Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:13 pm Post subject:

Mere months after scoring their inaugural win with James Davison behind the wheel, Vision Racing is ceasing its Indy Lights program. The move comes following the announcement by former IRL CEO and Vision Racing owner Tony George that Vision Racing is ending its race operations due to a lack of sponsors. It remains to be seen if, and how this affects James Davison, who was linked with the Indianapolis-based team.
_________________
Allan Craighead
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Allan Craighead · Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 2:46 pm Post subject:

After speculation that the team was close to signing its drivers for 2010 following recent testing at Firebird International Raceway, Bryan Herta Autosport has confirmed Stefan Wilson for the upcoming season. The younger sibling of 2009 IndyCar Series race winner Justin Wilson, the English race pilot joins the series full-time following a limited road course and street circuit campaign last year. In addition to testing with BHA, Wilson had the chance to pilot the McLaren F1 car before the holidays as a prize for winning the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Award.
_________________
Allan Craighead
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Allan Craighead · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:52 pm Post subject:

Team Moore Racing has confirmed its second driver for the upcoming 2010 season, with the signing of Adrian Campos Jr. The son of former F1 driver and European team owner Adrian Campos, the 21 year-old Spaniard enters the Indy Lights series following good success in the Spanish F3 series, winning nine races. He will partner two-time series winner junior Strous throughout his rookie season in North American competition.
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Allan Craighead
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Allan Craighead · Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 7:17 am Post subject:

Team Moore Racing is suddenly back to a one-car squad - at least for the time being - after the Indiana squad was forced to cancel its contract with Junior Strous. It remains to be seen who will partner newly signed Adrian Campos Jr. at either the season-opener and throughout the 2010 season.
_________________
Allan Craighead
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Allan Craighead · Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 7:25 am Post subject:

Team Moore Racing wasted little time in replacing Junior Strous, with the signing of James Hinchcliffe. The Canadian, who will be racing in the Indy Lights series for a second consecutive season, will partner series rookie Adrian Campos Jr. at TMR. Of note, Hinchcliffe will work with renowned race engineer Lee Dykstra this coming, having previously had him as an engineer when he raced in the Atlantic Championship.
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Allan Craighead
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Allan Craighead · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 3:18 pm Post subject:

Long time formula car competitors Genoa have announced they will compete in the Indy Lights series full-time in 2010. Driving for the team this coming season will be second year driver Rodrigo Barbosa. The Brazilian tested with the team following the his rookie campaign with ELFF Racing.
_________________
Allan Craighead
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Allan Craighead · Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 7:32 am Post subject:

Another high profile junior driver from Europe has been added to the 2010 Indy Lights roster, with Jean Karl Vernay signing with Sam Schmidt Motorsports. After successful tests on both an oval and a road course in Florida with the team, the multiple F3 race winner from France has joined the former series champions for a full campaign this coming season.
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Allan Craighead
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acraighead@howdenmediagroup.com

Allan Craighead · Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:08 am Post subject:

Bryan Herta Autosport strengthened its driver line-up for 2010, with the signing of Sebastian Saavedra. The Colombian impressed in his rookie season, winning twice en route to third in the championship fight. In addition to running a full Indy Lights campaign, Saavedra will contest the Indianapolis 500 with Bryan Herta Autosport.
_________________
Allan Craighead
eFormulaCarNews.com Managing Editor
eKartingNews.ca Managing Editor
eSportsRacer.com Managing Editor
(226) 808-9472 Cell
acraighead@howdenmediagroup.com