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1997 - Firestone/Dayton Indy Lights - 12 Race Results

Indy Lights

Email: iinfo@roadtoindy.net
Website: https://www.indycar.com/indynxt

The 2022 Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires was the final season that the series would be called Indy Lights.. From 2023 onwards the Indy Lights would be rebranded to Indy NXT and sponsored by Firestone.

On September 24, 2021, it was announced that Penske Entertainment, the owner of INDYCAR, would take over promotion of the series from Andersen Promotions.. The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company would continue sponsoring the series, as Goodyear acquired Cooper Tire in 2021. Branding would remain as Cooper Tires. Then On June 22, 2022, it was announced that Firestone will become the sole tire supplier for Indy Lights starting in 2023, replacing Cooper Tires, returning to the series for the first time since 2013.

For 2023 the series was rebranded to Indy NXT Series by Firestone. Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires was formerly known as the CART American Racing Series (1986-1990), Firestone / Dayton Indy Lights (1991-2001), Infiniti / Indy Pro Series (2002-2007) and the Firestone Indy Lights Series (2008-2013). Indy Lights is an American developmental automobile racing series sanctioned by IndyCar, currently known as Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires. Indy Lights is the highest step on the Road to Indy, a program of racing series leading up to the IndyCar Series.

The Indy Lights champion is awarded a $1M scholarship toward the IndyCar Series, and guaranteed three races including the Indianapolis 500.

Indy NXT Series Champions

Indy NXT Series by Year

1997 - 12

Race Name - 12
Date - 9/7/1997
Race Track - Laguna Seca Raceway
Track Length - 2.238
Laps Run - 56
Qualifying Speed - 107.295
Race Number - 12

Finish Start Driver Owner/Sponsor Chassis
1 2 Cristiano da Matta Medley Ind Farmaceuticals (Brian Stewart) Lola / Buick
2 1 Tony Kanaan Marlboro Davene Brahma Lola / Buick
3 3 Helio Castroneves Marlboro Davene Brahma Lola / Buick
4 5 Mark Hotchkis Kool Lola / Buick
5 7 Lee Bentham Players Indeck Lola / Buick
6 6 Christophe Tinseau ESI MiJack Rose Lola / Buick
7 10 Brian Cunningham VTR Capital Exide Elec Lola / Buick
8 11 Didier Andre Autosport Playstation Lola / Buick
9 22 Geoff Boss Cross Pens Omniglow Corp (Team Medlin) Lola / Buick
10 12 Luiz Garcia Jr PetroBras Lola / Buick
11 24 Airton Dare Banestado STP Lola / Buick
12 20 Hideki Noda Tenoras Greddy Lola / Buick
13 9 Sergio Paese Shopping Construcao Lola / Buick
14 18 Shigeaki Hattori Epson Ibarakai Toyopet Lola / Buick
15 27 Jeff Ward NTS Computer Dream Writer Lola / Buick
16 21 Andrew Bordin Bordin Racing Lola / Buick
17 23 Dave DeSilva DeSilva Gates Construction Lola / Buick
18 28 Claude Bourbonnais Sega Cinescape Lola / Buick
19 29 Casey Mears Penske Auto Center Mobil Lola / Buick
20 13 Naoki Hattori Kool Lola / Buick
21 14 Bob Dorricott Jr Heritage Bank Lola / Buick
22 19 Robby Unser Motorola ADT Automotive Lola / Buick
23 15 Frederic Gosparini Brian Stewart Lola / Buick
24 16 JeanPhilippe Belloc Lola / Buick
25 25 Rodolfo Lavin Corona America Batteries Lola / Buick
26 4 Dave Empringham Players Indeck Lola / Buick
27 17 Oswaldo Negri Jr Banco Sofisa Lola / Buick
28 8 Chris Simmons Kool Lola / Buick
29 26 Clint Mears Penske Auto Center Mobil Lola / Buick