Herta tops Indy Lights as MRTI Spring Training ends

Herta lapped the 2.21-mile course at 105.797mph, a lap time of 1min15.2sec, to go 0.3sec clear of teammate Jamin.

He commented afterward: ““It’s the best way to finish, especially with St. Pete right around the corner. It’s important that we’re on top here.

“We came and we bossed it, really – the whole team has been super quick. Nico has been right there with me, one-two both days. And we were the quickest no-tow time on the oval last Monday.

“But today was even more important because this was on the road course, and with St. Pete next week, we set ourselves up well.”

Jamin in turn was mere hundredths ahead of series sophomores Kyle Kaiser (Juncos Racing), Santiago Urrutia (Belardi Auto Racing) and Juan Piedrahita (Team Pelfrey).

Said Jamin: “Everything is coming together very well. We ran into two small issues today but overall we learned a lot and we’re P2 in the final test, so that is a very strong start to the season.

“My teammate is in front of me so that shows the cars are working very well and now we need to keep working hard and come on even stronger at St. Pete. I feel very comfortable with the car, my engineer and the team, so the transition from Pro Mazda is done. Now it’s time to win races!”

Patricio O’Ward, who was confirmed in the Team Pelfrey seat at least for St. Petersburg’s season-opening event, was just 0.14sec slower than the other Pelfrey entry of Juan Piedrahita. His time also put him a fraction ahead of his Pro Mazda teammate Aaron Telitz, who was confirmed at Belardi earlier this week.

Carlin’s star by some considerable margin was series newcomer Matheus Leist.

1. Colton Herta                Andretti Steinbrenner Racing    1min15.2009sec
2. Nico Jamin                    Andretti Autosport                            1:15.5004
3. Kyle Kaiser                    Juncos Racing                                     1:15.5090
4. Santiago Urrutia          Belardi Auto Racing                           1:15.5166
5. Juan Piedrahita            Team Pelfrey                                       1:15.5437
6. Matheus Leist              Carlin Racing                                       1:15.6552
7. Pato O’Ward                 Team Pelfrey                                       1:15.6894
8. Aaron Telitz                   Belardi Auto Racing                           1:15.7195
9. Shelby Blackstock        Belardi Auto Racing                           1:15.7360
10. Nicolas Dapero          Juncos Racing                                      1:15.7387
11. Dalton Kellett             Andretti Autosport                             1:15.9029
12. Neil Alberico               Carlin Racing                                       1:15.9078
13. Zachary C. De Melo   Carlin Racing                                        1:15.9987
14. Ryan Norman             Andretti Autosport                              1:16.2159
15. Garth Rickards           Carlin Racing                                         1:16.5989