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BRABHAM AND MCELREA PREPARE FOR 14-RACE INDY LIGHTS SEASON

Matt Brabham and Hunter McElrea will take on a 14-race Indy Lights schedule

By Timothy Neal

Aussie Matt Brabham and Kiwi Hunter McElrea will take on a 14-race Indy Lights schedule in 2022.

In the first season that INDYCAR will officially promote the feeder series, all rounds will feature as support to the premier IndyCar Series.

The calendar is headlined by three doubleheader weekends, a return to Iowa Speedway and the debut of Nashville’s street circuit.

“To have all 14 races included with the IndyCar Series schedule and its world-class venues is a tremendous step forward,” said Levi Jones, director of Indy Lights.

“In addition to competing for the 2022 championship, Indy Lights drivers, crew members and teams will be able to see up close how event weekends run and operate in INDYCAR.

“Racing is the part they’ve known their whole life. Our goal is to also allow them the opportunity to see what it takes to become a true professional.

“The chance to connect and closely interact with the IndyCar Series paddock is a pathway to realize that goal.

“Last season, over 20 drivers in the IndyCar Series competed in Indy Lights at some point in their career.

“It is a proven pipeline to the IndyCar Series, and we believe the connection will strengthen as the sanctioning body assumes operational control.”

McElrea enters Indy Lights off the back of consecutive top-five finishes in the Indy Pro 2000 Championship, while Brabham returns to open-wheel competition after racing in Stadium Super Trucks.

Each will be looking to make their mark as they aim towards a berth in the premier series, joining countrymen Scott Dixon, Will Power and Scott McLaughlin.

The 2022 Indy Lights season begins at the end of February on the Streets of St. Petersburg.

After a short hiatus, the series heads to Barber Motorsports Park before a doubleheader at Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in mid-May.

Events come thick and fast during the middle of the year before Nashville hosts Indy Lights for the first time on August 7.

The 2022 championship finishes with three races in eight days – Portland International Raceway will host the penultimate round before the doubleheader season finale at Laguna Seca from September 10-11.

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