Younessi Racing announces plans to complete in Indy Lights

Younessi Racing announced today that it will compete in the 2012 Firestone Indy Lights Championship with driver Rodin Younessi behind the wheel of the #16 car. The rookie team will make its series debut this year at the season opener in the streets of St. Petersburg after moving up from the US F2000 Championship while following the Road to Indy ladder system.

For Younessi, who will become the only team owner/driver in the series, this new challenge brings with it added enthusiasm, “It is extremely exciting to be competing in the Firestone Indy Lights series. I am thrilled to be back behind the wheel of a racecar again and I am looking forward to a great season. I am very pleased with the opportunity and grateful to the series for their support."

Younessi most recently competed in the US F2000 series in 2011 and throughout his career his wide experience has also included motorcycle and sportscar racing. “The decision to move up was very simple, the cars are great to drive and the competition is strong which makes for a thrilling series", said Younessi who is also a successful entrepreneur and an attorney. “I expect for us to run a very professional team and give it our best and improve as the season moves forward to be as competitive as possible."

The Indianapolis based squad has spent the off-season preparing for their move up the ladder. “We have been testing at various tracks for the last few months in preparation for the season and I have been on a very strict regimen to be in shape for this physically demanding challenge," added Younessi. “Of course competing at this level is not easy and I take this opportunity extremely seriously, hence we have been working diligently during the off season to create a small pool of talented professionals in order to create a well balanced team."

Next on the schedule for the Younessi Racing team will be Spring Training which will take place March 5-9 at Sebring International Raceway. The test will mark the first time of the year where the full field of Firestone Indy Lights teams will be together on track and should give teams and drivers a preview of what the competition will look like for the 2012 season.