Harvey takes Long Beach Indy Lights pole

LONG BEACH, California - A dozen cars took time in Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tire qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix of Long Beach Presented by Allied Building Products, the second time out for the all-new Indy Lights cars, which debuted at St. Petersburg.

On top: Jack Harvey, with a lap of 1 minutes, 12.040 seconds, followed by Spencer Pigot with a lap of 1:12.116, followed by Kyle Kaiser with a best time of 1:12.157. Ed Jones, St. Petersburg winner of both races there, was fourth quick with a lap of 1:12.165.

It was a relatively tight field, with the last-place qualifier, Shelby Blackstock, in is first year in the series, taking a best time of 1:14.139.

Harvey second in 2014 points

Schmidt-Peterson driver Harvey finished second last year in points in his rookie season. Juncos Racing driver Pigot is in his first year of Lights competition, as he has climbed the Mazda Road to Indy racing ladder with a championship last year in the Pro Mazda Championship.

Everyone is essentially on a level playing field this year, since the Indy Lights cars are all new for 2015. The Dallara IL-15 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged Mazda MZR-R, a 450-horsepower engine designed to last the season without a rebuild.

Sunday’s race start at 8:45 a.m PT/11:45 a.m. ET.