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1997 - Firestone/Dayton Indy Lights - 5 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 - 5

Race Name - 5
Date - 5/24/1997
Race Track - Gateway International Raceway
Track Length - 1.27
Laps Run - 71
Qualifying Speed - 157.476
Race Number - 5

Finish Start Driver Owner/Sponsor Chassis
1 4 Lee Bentham Players Indeck Lola / Buick
2 7 Cristiano da Matta Medley Ind Farmaceuticals (Brian Stewart) Lola / Buick
3 6 Helio Castroneves Marlboro Davene Brahma Lola / Buick
4 10 Dave Empringham Players Indeck Lola / Buick
5 1 Chris Simmons Kool Lola / Buick
6 8 Airton Dare Banestado STP Lola / Buick
7 9 Robby Unser Motorola ADT Automotive Lola / Buick
8 3 Dave DeSilva DeSilva Gates Construction Lola / Buick
9 23 Jaques Lazier ArthriteX STP Lola / Buick
10 5 Tony Kanaan Marlboro Davene Brahma Lola / Buick
11 13 Clint Mears Penske Auto Centers Mobil Lola / Buick
12 11 Christophe Tinseau ESI MiJack Rose Lola / Buick
13 24 Casey Mears Penske Auto Centers Mobil Lola / Buick
14 17 Naoki Hattori Kool Lola / Buick
15 21 Rodolfo Lavin Corona America Batteries Lola / Buick
16 19 Hideki Noda Tenoras Greddy Lola / Buick
17 18 Luiz Garcia Jr PetroBras Lola / Buick
18 15 Sergio Paese Shopping Construcao Lola / Buick
19 20 Bob Dorricott Jr Heritage Bank Lola / Buick
20 16 Didier Andre Autosport Playstation Lola / Buick
21 22 Geoff Boss Cross Pens Omniglow Corp (Team Medlin) Lola / Buick
22 2 Mark Hotchkis Kool Lola / Buick
23 12 Shigeaki Hattori Epson Ibarakai Toyopet Lola / Buick
24 14 Fredrik Larsson Stefan Johansson Motorsports Lola / Buick