Indy Lights Champ Pigot Sets Plans for 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series
Spencer Pigot's meteoric rise to the Verizon IndyCar Series is similar to that of Graham Rahal. In 2016, the drivers will form an all-American lineup at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
The 2015 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires champion, Pigot will contest at least three rounds of the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule with RLL alongside Rahal, who finished a career-best fourth in this year's championship.
Pigot's Indy Lights title came with a $1 million Mazda Road to Indy scholarship that was applied to the partnership with the team co-owned by Bobby Rahal, David Letterman and Mike Lanigan. Pigot's initial schedule includes the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 13, the Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis on May 14 and the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 29. Pigot and the team are working to extend the number of races if sponsorship can be secured.
Pigot, 22, earned the Indy Lights title in the series' 30th anniversary season by sweeping the final two races of the 16-race season last month at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. He won a series-high six races.
Graham Rahal, 26, made his Indy Lights debut in 2006, earning the pole and finishing second in the Liberty Challenge on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. The youngest winner of an Indy car race, Rahal earned two victories among six podium finishes this year in the Verizon IndyCar Series.
"I think it's a great place for me to be as a rookie because of all the experience within the team," Pigot said of RLL. "The team is coming off a great 2015 season and hopefully we can build on that success. The 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 is going to be a very special moment for me and the highlight of my career so far. It's what I've been working towards ever since I started racing."
Pigot competed two seasons each in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda and the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires, securing the 2014 Pro Mazda title and corresponding Mazda scholarship to drive in Indy Lights. Twelve of his podium finishes in 30 Pro Mazda races included seven victories. In 26 USF2000 races, he scored 19 podium finishes, including 11 wins.
"The Mazda Road to Indy has been vital for my development as a driver," Pigot said. "It's safe to say I wouldn't be going into the Verizon IndyCar Series without the experience and support I gained from each level. Each car teaches you something new and racing at the same tracks as IndyCar throughout my Mazda Road to Indy career will only help my transition. It's the place to be for anyone trying to make it to IndyCar."
RLL co-owner Bobby Rahal is excited to add Pigot to the team that has won 22 races since its inception in 1992.
"I have gotten to know Spencer over the years and have been impressed with his progression through the various series, being champion in Pro Mazda and the Indy Lights series," Rahal said. "Clearly the Indy Lights platform is a very good one for young drivers trying to reach IndyCar and I am confident that Spencer can shine with our team.
"We're looking forward to having Spencer, another young American driver in the series, alongside Graham and are excited about what the future holds," Rahal added. "We hope that this isn't limited to just three races. Obviously funding plays a role for any team, but we've already received a lot of interest in Spencer (from potential sponsors). The goal here is to run Spencer as much as we can in 2016."
Contact:
mkitchel@indycar.com
