Breaking news

Indy NXT

Indy Lights confirmed as “deferred” until 2021

IndyCar and Andersen Promotions today announced that Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires competition will be deferred until 2021 following a joint meeting over the weekend to address several variables affecting the 2020 calendar.

David Malsher-Lopez

David Malsher-Lopez

Edited: Jun 15, 2020, 6:52 PM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Robert Megennis, Andretti Autosport

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and modifications to the IndyCar race calendar as a result, multiple companion events were canceled for the series, rendering the 2020 season no longer viable.

“The effects of the global pandemic on businesses, including racing, have been severe,” said Dan Andersen, owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. “The changes to our overall calendar of races as well as each event weekend’s scheduling and the ability for some of our drivers to compete has impacted the Indy Lights series far more harshly than our other two championships. With less of a cushion to begin with, it became increasingly apparent that the 2020 season was in jeopardy and the best plan was to take a pause, reconstitute for 2021, and do our best to enhance the Indy Lights championship for next season.

“After discussions with IndyCar and understanding of their firm commitment to Indy Lights going forward, we, together, decided to suspend the 2020 Indy Lights season. We recognize that this will cause some hardships, but we hope all participants will realize the necessity of this decision and we look ahead to 2021 with a promise of better things to come.”

Read Also:

Indy Lights has a long history as the essential ladder series of IndyCar with 23 of the 33 starters in the 2019 Indianapolis 500 as Road to Indy graduates, including nine Indy Lights champions. Dating back to 1986, more than 150 drivers have made the step from Indy Lights to IndyCar. Reigning Indy Lights champion Oliver Askew and vice-champion Rinus VeeKay will become the latest to make that progression when they make their IndyCar debuts at Texas Motor Speedway this Saturday with Arrow McLaren SP and Ed Carpenter Racing, respectively.

”The Road to Indy is extremely important to IndyCar,” said Jay Frye, president of IndyCar. “This was a difficult decision, knowing the impact it would have on the competitors and how disappointing it would be for the fans. However, it became clear, that we needed to focus our collective efforts on preparing for a strong 2021 Indy Lights season.”

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article Indy Lights set to go on hiatus for 2020

Next article Penske Entertainment “committed” to Indy Lights in 2021

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

David Malsher-Lopez



Alex Zanardi: The man whose name is a synonym for “hero”

IndyCar

IndyCar

Alex Zanardi: The man whose name is a synonym for “hero”



Remembering Michele Alboreto: F1 ace, Le Mans winner and a good man

Formula 1

Formula 1

Remembering Michele Alboreto: F1 ace, Le Mans winner and a good man



IMSA Laguna Seca: Ganassi Cadillac holds off Porsche for victory

IMSA

IMSA

Laguna Seca

IMSA Laguna Seca: Ganassi Cadillac holds off Porsche for victory

Latest news



George Russell: F1 2026 season a test of "character and resilience"

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

United States GP

6 min

George Russell: F1 2026 season a test of "character and resilience"



Marc Marquez: ‘Jorge Martin rides on instinct; he just attacks, and that’s his strength’

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Australian GP

1 h

Marc Marquez: ‘Jorge Martin rides on instinct; he just attacks, and that’s his strength’



Lamborghini Super Trofeo | North America, Race 2: Bamber dominates to take the win

Lamborghini Super Trofeo

LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo

World Finals - Monza 2026

1 h

Lamborghini Super Trofeo | North America, Race 2: Bamber dominates to take the win



Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry

WEC

WEC WEC 1 h

Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe