MOORESVILLE, N.C. – With IndyCar in charge, the Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires will contest a 14-race schedule during the upcoming season.
The schedule features events in 11 key markets and three doubleheader weekends, including a return to Iowa Speedway and the series’ debut on the Streets of Nashville. In November 2021, IndyCar added the role of promoter to its position of sanctioning body of Indy Lights.
All 14 races, qualifying sessions and practices will happen during NTT IndyCar Series weekends. Where available, Indy Lights will benefit from a more integrated paddock area as its team garages will be inside the NTT IndyCar Series paddock footprint. Additional integration will come in marketing, digital assets and race officiating.
“To have all 14 races included with the NT IndyCar Series schedule and its world-classvenues is a tremendous step forward,” said Levi Jones, director of Indy Lights. “In addition tocompeting for the 2022 championship, Indy Lights drivers, crew members and teams will beable to see up close how event weekends run and operate in IndyCar.
“Racing is the part they’ve known their whole life. Our goal is to also allow them theopportunity to see what it takes to become a true professional. The chance to connect and closely interact with the NTT IndyCar paddock is a pathway to realize that goal.”
The Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires season begins Sunday, Feb. 27 on the Streets of St. Petersburg. It is the 17th year that Indy Lights has competed on the temporary street circuit. The championship continues Sunday, May 1 at picturesque Barber Motorsports Park before the first doubleheader of the season on the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14.
The second doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5 at the Raceway at Belle Isle Park in Detroit before the classic American road courses of Road America on Sunday, June 12 and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Sunday, July 3.
The first oval of the season comes Saturday, July 23 at Iowa Speedway. It marks the firstappearance by Indy Lights on the .875-mile, D-shaped layout since 2018. It is followed by the series debut on the fan-favorite Streets of Nashville on Sunday, Aug. 7 and another oval atWorld Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday, Aug. 20.
A series of test days also will be included in the overall calendar for the 2022 season, at the IMS road course (Tuesday, April 5), World Wide Technology Raceway (Wednesday, June 15) and Iowa Speedway (Wednesday, June 22).
“The key is we are training successful athletes today to become superstars tomorrow,” Jonessaid. “Tests and races at all three venues, combined with the remaining schedule, will helpprovide each of our drivers the experience they need to be ready for the final step of the NTT IndyCar Series.”
The championship finishes with a flurry of three races in eight days. The final stretchstarts Sunday, Sept. 4 with an event at Portland International Raceway for the 18th season. The series champion will be crowned at the final doubleheader of the season, Saturday, Sept. 10 and Sunday, Sept. 11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
“Last season, over 20 drivers in the NTT IndyCar Series competed in Indy Lights at somepoint in their career,” Jones said. “It is a proven pipeline to the NTT IndyCar Series, and we believe the connection will strengthen as the sanctioning body assumes operational control.
“There is little question the 2022 championship trophy will be one the champion will keep on their shelf forever and could be a sign of bigger success to come afterward.”
Start times will be announced at a later date.
2022 Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires Schedule
Feb. 27 – Streets of St. Petersburg – St. Petersburg, Fla.
May 1 – Barber Motorsports Park – Leeds, Ala.
May 13-14 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course – Indianapolis, Ind.
June 4-5 – Raceway at Belle Isle Park – Detroit, Mich.
June 12 – Road America – Elkhart Lake, Wis.
July 3 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – Lexington, Ohio
July 23 – Iowa Speedway – Newton, Iowa
Aug. 7 – Streets of Nashville – Nashville, Tenn.
Aug. 20 – World Wide Technology Raceway – Madison, Ill.
Sept. 4 – Portland Int’l Raceway – Portland, Ore.
Sept. 10-11 – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca – Monterey, Calif.