Indy Lights: Harvey returns to SPM for 2015

Jack Harvey enters 2015 as one of the favorites to win the Indy Lights championship

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — British driver Jack Harvey will return to Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM) for his second year in Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires in 2015.

Harvey, 21, collected four wins, four poles and 10 podiums in the 2014 Indy Lights season to tie in driver points with Gabby Chaves, but Chaves walked away as the champion thanks to one more second-place finish than Harvey. After the narrow miss, Harvey and SPM will set out again to pursue the team's eighth Indy Lights title, this time in the new Dallara IL-15 chassis.

The Racing Steps Foundation (RSF), a not-for-profit organization that finances talented British drivers in their racing careers, returns as Harvey's sponsor.

"I'm delighted to be heading back to Indy Lights for a second season with SPM, which wouldn't be possible without the continued backing of the Racing Steps Foundation," Harvey said. "Andersen Promotions has done a fantastic job raising the profile of the series with the new car, new teams and a growing grid. So for me, it's definitely the right place to be racing. It'll be tougher this year, but rest assured I'm up for the challenge."

SPM team owner Sam Schmidt is eager to see Harvey get a second chance at the coveted Indy Lights title. In his rookie Indy Lights season, Harvey's momentum skyrocketed toward the end of the season when he won four of the final five races.

"The 2014 championship was as close as it gets, and I don't know if we'll ever see a tie again like we did with Jack and Gabby," Schmidt said. "Jack did an excellent job from the time he arrived from the UK. He was always very consistent in testing and had a great work ethic on and off the track. In 2015 he'll be returning to circuits for the second time and can build upon the oval racing experience he gained in 2014."

Harvey and SPM will resume preparations for the 2015 Indy Lights season through testing the Dallara IL-15 Jan. 13-14 at Palm Beach International Raceway. For the latest team updates, follow @SPMIndyCar on Twitter.

The 2015 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season starts March 28-29 with two rounds in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Jack Harvey Career Highlights

Born: April 15, 1993; Lincoln, UK
Resides: Bassingham, Lincolnshire, UK / Indianapolis
2014: Second in Indy Lights championship, 4 wins, 4 poles, 10 podiums
2013: Fifth inGP3 Series championship, 2 wins, 1 pole, 3 podiums
2012: British Formula 3 International Championship champion, 7 wins, 10 poles, 15 podiums
2011: Ninth in British Formula 3 International Championship, 1 win, 5 podiums
2010: Second in Formula BMW Europe championship, 7 wins, 8 poles, 13 podiums

Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires