In the post-World War II era, American open-wheel racing cars were predominantly front-engined “roadsters.” By the late 1960s, these cars evolved into rear-engine, formula-style machines, and feeder series began to follow suit. When the United States Automobile Club (USAC) became the primary sanctioning body for top-level open-wheel racing, the progression of drivers began to change.
The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Super Vee and Formula Atlantic series were early formula-based ladder series, but lacked a direct connection to USAC. In 1977, USAC started the “Mini-Indy” series, using Super Vee machines, but the series ended in 1980 when USAC ceased sanctioning Indy car races outside of the Indianapolis 500.
The original Indy Lights series served as a developmental circuit for the CART series from 1986 to 2001. Founded in 1986 as the American Racing Series (ARS), it became Indy Lights in 1991 with title sponsorship from Firestone, later Dayton Tires. From 1986 to 1992, the series used March chassis, while Lola became the primary chassis constructor in 1992, utilizing a modified F3000 chassis. A new chassis based on an F3000 design was introduced in 1997 and remained in use through 2001. Buick V6 engines powered the cars throughout this period.
The ARS/Indy Lights series produced several successful drivers, including two CART champions, two IndyCar Series champions, seven Champ Car World Series race-winners, and two Formula One drivers. The Indy Lights schedule typically ran alongside the CART series, with races often held as an undercard event the morning of CART races. In 2001, Indy Lights raced at Road Atlanta during the Petit Le Mans weekend and at Kansas alongside the IRL.
CART canceled the series after the 2001 season due to financial difficulties, with the Toyota Atlantic series becoming the primary feeder system for both CART and, later, Champ Car World Series.
The Infiniti Pro Series was re-founded by the Indy Racing League (IRL) in 2002, following the demise of the CART-sanctioned Indy Lights. Initially, the series struggled to attract drivers, but the introduction of road courses in 2005 attracted prospects like Marco Andretti and Phil Giebler. The series became known as the Indy Pro Series, and then Firestone Indy Lights in 2008 after the IRL acquired the proprietary information of Champ Car.
The Freedom 100, contested at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the Friday before the Indianapolis 500, was a centerpiece of the Indy Lights schedule. From 2005 to 2007, the series also held the Liberty Challenge as a support race for the U.S. Grand Prix.
During the 2007 Chicagoland 100, Logan Gomez beat Alex Lloyd by 0.0005 seconds, a margin of approximately 1.65 inches at 188 mph. This was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2008 as the closest finish ever in a car race. In 2013, Peter Dempsey won the Freedom 100 by 0.0026 seconds in a four-wide finish, marking the closest finish in Indianapolis Motor Speedway history.
In 2014, Andersen Promotions began promoting the series, with IndyCar retaining sanctioning rights. Cooper Tire replaced Firestone as the official tire supplier that same year. In 2021, a halo was added to the Dallara IL-15 chassis for driver safety. Kyle Kirkwood won the 2021 series championship, with David Malukas finishing second and Linus Lundqvist third.
For the 2023 season, the series was rebranded as Indy NXT, and IndyCar assumed direct operation of the series from Andersen Promotions, which continues to operate the affiliated USF Championships. Firestone returned as the official tire supplier.
From 2002 to 2014, the series used a 3.5L Nissan/Infiniti V8 engine producing 420 hp, with a 6-speed sequential manual transmission. The chassis weighed 1,490 lb on ovals and 1,520 lb on road/street courses.
Current specifications (2015–present) include a Dallara IL-15 chassis and a 2.0L turbocharged Mazda-AER inline-4 engine producing 450 hp, with an additional 50 hp available through a push-to-pass system. The chassis weighs 1,400 lb excluding the driver and fuel.
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