By: Spencer Neff
October 22, 2020

Today, the Road to Indy unveiled the 2021 schedules. Included in the return of Indy Lights is their first appearance at Belle Isle since 2012.

For the first time since 2002, the Freedom 100 will not be on the Indy Lights schedule. Due to the effects stemming from the novel coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 Indy Lights season was canceled.

“I want to thank all of the promoters for working with us on what we believe is an exciting and well-balanced schedule for 2021,” said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions, which oversees all three series.

“We have added some new events, increased our scholarships across the board, added new incentives, and implemented some cost-saving measures. We are working hard to continue to grow the Road to Indy in the coming years and there are more positives to come.”

The annual Spring Training for the Road to Indy ladder serieswill take place at the Homestead-Miami road course on February 22-24. USF2000 and Indy Pro 2000 will have a test day at Barber Motorsports Park on April 8,

Additional test days for all three series will take place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 13, Lucas Oil Raceway on May 27, Road America on June 18, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 1, World Wide Technology Raceway on August 19 and New Jersey Motorsports Park on August 27. 

Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires 2021 Schedule – 10 Events/20 Races

March 6/7	Streets of St. Petersburg	1.8-mile street course*
May 14/15	Indianapolis Motor Speedway	2.439-mile road course*
June 12/13	The Raceway at Belle Isle Park	2.35-mile street course*
June 19/20	Road America	4.014-mile road course*
July 3/4	Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course	2.258-mile road course*
July 10/11	Streets of Toronto	1.786-mile street circuit*
August 20/21	World Wide Technology Raceway	1.25-mile oval*
September 11/12	Portland International Raceway	1.964-mile road course*
September 18/19	WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca	2.238-mile road course*
TBA*

* Double-Header Rounds

Indy Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires 2021 Schedule – Nine Events/18 Races

March 6/7	Streets of St. Petersburg	1.8-mile street course*
April 10/11	Barber Motorsports Park	2.3-mile road course*
May 14/15	Indianapolis Motor Speedway	2.439-mile road course**
May 28	Lucas Oil Raceway	.686-mile oval
June 19/20	Road America	4.014-mile road course*
July 3/4	Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course	2.258-mile road course*
July 10/11	Streets of Toronto	1.786-mile street circuit*
August 21	World Wide Technology Raceway	1.25-mile oval
August 28/29	New Jersey Motorsports Park	2.14-mile road course**

* Double-Header Rounds      ** Triple-Header Rounds

Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship 2021 Schedule – Eight Events/18 Races

March 6/7	Streets of St. Petersburg	1.8-mile street course*
April 10/11	Barber Motorsports Park	2.3-mile road course*
May 14/15	Indianapolis Motor Speedway	2.439-mile road course**
May 28	Lucas Oil Raceway	.686-mile oval
June 19/20	Road America	4.014-mile road course*
July 3/4	Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course	2.258-mile road course**
July 10/11	Streets of Toronto	1.786-mile street circuit*
August 28/29	New Jersey Motorsports Park	2.14-mile road course**

* Double-Header Rounds      ** Triple-Header Rounds

Increased Purses

For 2021, over $3,138,500 in prize money and awards will be up for grabs between the ladder series.

At the conclusion of the season, the 2021 Indy Lights Champion will receive a scholarship of $1,289,425 for entry into at least three NTT INDYCAR SERIES events for 2022 including the Indianapolis 500. In addition, the second- and third-place finishers in points will also be given a test session at season’s end with an NTT IndyCar Series team.

For Indy Pro 2000, the champion’s scholarship will increase to $718,065 next season (currently valued at $609,245). The champion will also be guaranteed a full-time opportunity for the 2022 Indy Lights season.

Next season, the USF2000 scholarship will increase from $328,225 to $401,305. That scholarship will allow the champion to advance to Indy Pro 2000.

This year, Juncos Racing’s Sting Ray Robb (Indy Pro 2000) and Jay Howard Driver Development’s Christian Rasmussen (USF2000) were crowned champions. For 2021, Robb will head to Indy Lights, while Rasmussen goes on to USF2000.

Broadcast Information

Indy Lights will return to NBC Sports Gold with all races airing live and on demand in the U.S. Internationally, all practice, qualifying and race events will be live streamed on the Road to Indy TV App and at RoadToIndy.TV and indylights.com, as well as dedicated broadcast channels on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Xbox One. Additional coverage of all on-track sessions can also be found on the Pennzoil INDYCAR Radio Network.

Coverage of Indy Pro 2000 and USF2000 will feature worldwide live streaming on RoadToIndy.TV, the Road to Indy TV App and the series’ respective websites – indypro2000.com and usf2000.com – as well as live and on demand coverage on Apple TV, Amazon Fire and Roku.

Information courtesy of Indylights.com

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