AR1 speaks with 2014 Pro Mazda Champion Pigot

Spencer Pigot celebrates his championship at 2014 Pro Mazda Winterfest

The year began with two victories and the championship at 2014 Pro Mazda Winterfest. In August, Spencer Pigot would complete a six-win season by clinching the 2014 Pro Mazda championship in rather dramatic fashion at Sonoma Raceway.

Then, last month with the assistance of Rising Star Racing, Mazda, and a host of loyal sponsors, it was announced that Pigot would be moving up to the top rung of the Mazda Road to Indy Ladder with his Pro Mazda championship team Juncos Racing to contest the 2015 Indy Lights Championship Presented by Cooper Tires.

Yes, it's been quite the year for the 21-year-old Orlando native. However, the winner of 18 MRTI championship races over the past 4 seasons (2011-2012 in USF2000; 2013-2014 in Pro Mazda), has his sights set on more.

Recently, while taking a break from working out at PitFit in Indianapolis, Pigot caught up with AR1's Brian Carroccio to discuss his journey up the North American open wheel racing ladder, and prospects for the future.

Pigot swept the 2014 Pro Mazda weekend at his favorite street circuit, St. Pete

BC: You have quite a history with Juncos Racing (Juncos is Florida-based, with a shop in Brownsburg) that I'm not sure many people know about. Can you talk about your relationship with the team?

SP: Sure. I met Ricardo Juncos when I was about 10 years old. He didn't speak English, but we could tell he knew what he was doing. I ended up driving karts for him and we won numerous regional and national karting championships (see here for more on Pigot's karting success).

We got back together in 2013 and last season had so much success. It's a great group of guys, feels like a second home. Then, this year with the help of Mockett, Rising Star Racing, and several other supporters we were able to make the move up to Indy Lights.

BC: What would be your favorite circuit?

Spencer Pigot in 2010

SP: St. Petersburg is my favorite street course. As for road courses, it's a tie between Barber and Mosport.

BC: Did you have any favorite drivers growing up?

SP: In IndyCar Dan Wheldon, and in Formula 1, Kimi Raikkonen

BC: It seems a lot of aspiring open-wheel drivers have a decision to make between the European and American junior formulae. Drivers such as Josef Newgarden, Conor Daly, and Charlie Kimball have all done stints. What prompted you to opt for America?

[adinserter name="GOOGLE AD"]SP: Really the Mazda Road to Indy was the only shot. I love Formula One, but to run in Europe you need millions and millions, and I'm not from a family that has millions. When I won the Skip Barber National Championship (in 2010) I was able to move into USF2000 and also go to England on a Team USA Scholarship – This system rewards winning. If you win you can move up.

BC: With regard to millions of dollars, were there ever any times when the prospects of continuing to race were bleak?

SP: Definitely. My first year in Pro Mazda (2013) Pigot won one race and finished tied for third in the championship) was difficult. But with the help of some longtime sponsors, we were able to do a second Pro Mazda season.

BC: Would you like to tell us about some of those sponsors?

SP: Sure. Mockett is a California-based supplier of furniture hardware. The Stutz, here in Indianapolis is a business center for small and mid-sized businesses. Also, California Scents and Vitamin-D Pro have been huge supporters.

Pigot (L) overcame a wild weekend at Sonoma to earn the 2014 Pro Mazda Championship

BC: You had quite a weekend in Sonoma this past year. You came into the weekend with a big lead, and were eliminated from the first race after contact with Scott Hargrove. Then, you had the spin with Neil Alberico in the second race.

SP: Yea, that was a pretty deflating feeling. We came into the weekend with a pretty big lead. I had to try to stay calm, because you never know what's going to happen in racing. Luckily, I was able to pass some cars, and then Scott had the problem.

I'm not sure what I'd be doing, if I hadn't won the championship (and the scholarship money to advance). Maybe, twiddling my thumbs (he says, laughing).

BC: So, you were perhaps looking at not being able to continue racing, had Sonoma had played out differently? (The scholarship for winning the Pro Mazda title was $588,800 towards a Lights ride)

Pigot celebrates a weekend sweep at Barber

SP: Yes, Sonoma was basically a do or die.

BC: Obviously, Lights is going to be your primary focus for 2015. Is there a possibility we may see you in another form of racing?

SP: I'd love to do the endurance races, and TUDOR has some really good competition right now. But currently I don't have any plans to do that.

BC: Would you have any interest in Formula E?

SP: Yes, I was just talking with Matthew Brabham about it. I like the racing, and there are some really good drivers. The cars aren't that fast but that doesn't mean it's not good racing.

BC: You've been pretty clear in the past that your goal is the Verizon IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500.

[adinserter name="GOOGLE AD"]SP: Yes, the Indianapolis 500 is the best race in the world, and I'm looking to hopefully move up within the next couple of years.

Talent, perseverance, and a clear sight of what he wants to achieve have landed Pigot in the top rung of Mazda Road to Indy Ladder. Further, with 18 race wins, a Pro Mazda Winterfest Championship, and Pro Mazda Championship in the past 4 seasons, Pigot has established himself as a bona-fide race winner and perhaps the most promising homegrown talent in the Mazda Road to Indy system. And if the recent past is any indication, there's a good chance we'll see Pigot in the big cars, sooner rather than later.

Brian Carroccio is a motorsports columnist for AutoRacing1. He can be contacted at BrianC@AutoRacing1.com