Indianapolis, Ind. – Rising Star Racing could not be riding a bigger wave of momentum into the Month of May following a clean sweep at Barber Motorsports Park.
Representing three different rungs of the Verizon IndyCar Series ‘Mazda Road to Indy’ ladder system, Neil Alberico won in Pro Mazda presented by Cooper Tires competition, Spencer Pigot claimed the Indy Lights win with Juncos Racing, and Josef Newgarden capped off the day by taking his first-ever Verizon IndyCar Series victory.
The huge day saw Alberico extend his lead in the Pro Mazda championship, Pigot take over the Indy Lights championship lead, and Newgarden leapfrog to fourth in the IndyCar point standings. And while the celebrations continued well after the race ended, the group is now fully focused on delivering similar performances throughout the races ahead.
Rising Star Racing returns to the organization’s home base in Indianapolis for a double-event which features the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis followed by the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500 and the festivities that go along with it. Up first is the Grand Prix of Indianapolis held on the 2.434-mile road course of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Pro Mazda and Indy Lights series will each run a double-header event on the road course with Pro Mazda also holding the NOLA make-up event at the track on Thursday. It will be a busy few days for Alberico and his Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing squad, who finished on the podium in both Indy road course events last year.
"All the boys at Rising Star Racing had an incredible weekend in Barber, but we have to remember that’s just one race, and the championship is the ultimate goal,” said Alberico. “I think winning puts a big target on your back as the guy to beat. All that means is that we are going to be pushing harder than ever to improve as a team and make sure we do our best to win races. All our guys are full of confidence after the success at Barber and I think that is going to go a long way heading into Indy. It’s always great to be here. Indianapolis is such a special place, especially this time of year!"
Pigot has stood on the podium in each of the Indy Lights races this year and after experiencing the taste of the victory champagne at Barber, he is eager for more.
“We had a great weekend at Barber so I feel like we are heading into May with some real momentum,” said Pigot. “We just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing. It’s a big month for me, and these races are of course very important as far as the championship. I’ve enjoyed racing the Indy Lights car and I think it will be fun on the road course, hopefully we can put on a good show for the fans.”
Newgarden’s win was a popular one among fans and competitors alike and he and his Carpenter Fisher Hartman Racing team are hopeful to convert that momentum from Barber Motorsports Park into another strong run at Indianapolis.
It’s a full three days of on track action at Indianapolis beginning with official practice as well as the first Pro Mazda race on Thursday. Friday sees qualifying for all IndyCar tiers and races for both Pro Mazda and Indy Lights. All three categories will race on Sunday culminating in the Verizon IndyCar Series headline event, the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis which is set to go green at 3:50 PM ET. (LIVE coverage on ABC beginning at 3:30 PM ET).