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1997 - Firestone/Dayton Indy Lights - Dixie Crystals Grand Prix 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 - Dixie Crystals Grand Prix

Race Name - Dixie Crystals Grand Prix
Date - 5/18/1997
Race Track - Hutchinson Island Road Race Course
Track Length - 1.964
Laps Run - 98
Qualifying Speed - 109.126
Race Number - 4

Finish Start Driver Owner/Sponsor Chassis
1 1 Helio Castroneves Marlboro Davene Brahma Lola / Buick
2 4 Sergio Paese Shopping Construcao Lola / Buick
3 10 Lee Bentham Players Indeck Lola / Buick
4 3 Luiz Garcia Jr PetroBras Lola / Buick
5 15 Naoki Hattori Kool Lola / Buick
6 7 Hideki Noda Tenoras Greddy Lola / Buick
7 17 Oswaldo Negri Jr Angelo Ferro Lola / Buick
8 12 Airton Dare Banestado STP Lola / Buick
9 5 Didier Andre Autosport Playstation Lola / Buick
10 13 Fredrik Larsson Stefan Johansson Motorsports Lola / Buick
11 16 Bob Dorricott Jr Heritage Bank Lola / Buick
12 9 Christophe Tinseau ESI MiJack Rose Lola / Buick
13 24 Casey Mears Penske Auto Centers Mobil Lola / Buick
14 6 Dave Empringham Players Indeck Lola / Buick
15 8 Shigeaki Hattori Epson Ibarakai Toyopet Lola / Buick
16 14 Chris Simmons Kool Lola / Buick
17 11 Mark Hotchkis Kool Lola / Buick
18 25 Clint Mears Penske Auto Centers Lola / Buick
19 23 John Jones Sega Cinescape Lola / Buick
20 20 Geoff Boss Cross Pens Omniglow Corp (Team Medlin) Lola / Buick
21 19 Cristiano da Matta Medley Ind Farmaceuticals (Brian Stewart) Lola / Buick
22 18 Robby Unser Motorola ADT Automotive Lola / Buick
23 2 Tony Kanaan Marlboro Davene Brahma Lola / Buick
24 21 Jaques Lazier ArthriteX STP Lola / Buick
25 22 Rodolfo Lavin Corona America Batteries Lola / Buick