Alex Lloyd, Andrew Prendeville and Jaime Camara Test the Big Cars
by Allan Brewer
allan@indyproracer.com
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Alex Lloyd.
Photo: DanaGarrettIRL |
The Indy Pro Series best drivers are aiming high as they zero in on possible open seats next year in the IndyCar Series.
Within the last ten days three of them have taken rides in the big cars, testing for some of the top names in auto racing.
Alex Lloyd visited Sebring International with the Chip Ganassi Racing Team, Andrew Prendeville toured Infineon Raceway with Rahal Letterman Racing and Jaime Camara checked out Infineon with Andretti Green Racing.
Each hopes to join Panther Racing's Hideki Mutoh, who landed a drive in the IndyCar season finale at Chicagoland Speedway, competing in the Indy Racing League's premier competitive level.
Lloyd's test has drawn great interest as the nine-time Indy Pro Series race winner looks likely to make the leap from his series-leading drive with Sam Schmidt Motorsports to IndyCar at season's end. The question is "Where?".
The crystal ball may be clearing somewhat as the Ganassi team liked what they saw, enough to ask Lloyd to return to the red and white for this weekend's sports car race at Infineon Raceway. He'll pilot the team's Grand Am entry alongside Michael Valiente in addition to running in both Indy Pro Series races.
"I'm not rushing into anything," Alex said on Wednesday (August 22nd), "just waiting to see what's around the corner. The great thing is I've had a lot of people call me up, asking me what my plans are. I'm just going to wait and see how things unfold and try and pick the best ride that's available for me."
"I've got a lot of confidence that I'll be in the IndyCar Series next year, where is still a little bit unknown. It's important to try and get in a race‑winning car so I can compete and try and get some race wins. We'll see where we end up, but so far things are looking promising."
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Andrew Prendeville.
Photo: SteveSnoddyIRL |
Prendeville Takes a Closer Look at RLR from Inside Cockpit
Andrew Prendeville took advantage of the additional test days afforded IndyCar teams participating in the Indy Pro Series to take some hot laps with Rahal Letterman Racing ahead of this weekend's racing at Infineon Raceway.
"I've been working toward today for the last 21 years, and it was great to get in the Rahal Letterman IndyCar Series car and turn some laps," he said. "I had a lot of fun. I look forward to getting another shot in an Indy car in the future."
Prendeville drew praise from RLR COO Scott Roembke, as did Andrew's first-year Pro Series team: Andersen Racing.
“If you watch that entire team, Dan (Andersen) and his group have done a pretty good job of coming in blind and quickly learning the ropes,” Roembke said. “We’ve seen a steady progression from them, and Andrew has been pretty consistently in the top five, in what I call a pretty tough top five.”
Finally, veteran driver Jaime Camara, who has participated in several bonus test days with Andretti Green Racing, also tested in an IndyCar Series car at Infineon Raceway. He, along with AFS Racing teammate Wade Cunningham, figure to get a longer look when the IndyCar championship is settled.
The next Indy Pro Series event is the Carneros 100/Valley of the Moon 100 doubleheader on August 25th-26th at Infineon Raceway. The race will be telecast at 5:30 PM EDT on August 31st by ESPN2.
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