Second Hobbs on the road to Indianapolis 500
Andrew Hobbs, after successful competition in the Skip Barber Summer Series, has joined ArmsUp Motorsports to compete in the Mazda Road to Indy's Cooper Tires US F2000 National Championships Powered by Mazda. The season opens next week at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla., and continues March 22-24 at St. Petersburg, Fla., as part of the IZOD IndyCar Series race weekend.
"I am incredibly excited to announce that I will be running with Arms-Up Motorsports this year," Hobbs said. "We've known the team for a long time and we know they put together a very competitive car. Joining the Mazda Road to Indy is a fantastic experience and I'm so happy to be a part of this program that will hopefully take me to the IZOD IndyCar Series. I can't wait to get started."
Hobbs, 18, is the grandson of David Hobbs, who made four starts in the Indianapolis 500 (best finish of fifth) in the 1970s, among an international motorsports career that also include Formula One, sports cars, touring cars and Can-Am. Most recently, he's been an F1 broadcast commentator.
Andrew Hobbs' birthday is May 25 – a day before the 75th running of the 500 Mile Race.
"Coming as he did from go-karts and then into Skip Barber, the Road to Indy is a natural progression for Andrew," David Hobbs said. "Like his grandfather before him, open-wheel racing is his first choice and what better goal than the most famous and biggest race in the world."
The Milwaukee native will drive the No. 15 Pulse car. Pulse is a rear-end deterrent that pulses the third brake light when the driver steps on the brake pedal.
"We tested Drew straight out of his first three-day racing school, where he made a great impression on the team," said Gregg Borland, owner of the Milwaukee-based team. "We've kept an eye on his progress in Skip Barber and then tested him again last fall in the USF2000 car. He immediately impressed us with his technical feedback along with his outright pace.
"We are facing a bit of an uphill battle at Sebring due to the late start, but the whole team has confidence that Drew will be a contender in the championship this year."