Garcia hopes to make his mark at Barber

Juan Pablo Garcia has raced part-time in three different Firestone Indy Lights seasons with three different teams. This season, he's looking to make a bigger splash in the series with his full-time ride with Jeffrey Mark Motorsports.

After a seventh-place finish at the season opener in St. Petersburg, Garcia turns to Barber Motorsport Park for Round 2 of the schedule on April 1.

The Mexico City native raced in the first four events of 2011 with Jensen MotorSport. He signed with Jeffrey Mark Motorsport on March 6 as the full-season driver for the new owner.

"I am very happy to be back in the series for my first full season," Garcia said. "Even though I had the opportunity to test my car before the season, I know it's going to be a tough season. But with the help of Jeffrey Mark Motorsport and Bryan Herta Autosport, I know we will improve with each race."

Garcia's best finish last season was eighth at Barber Motorsport Park. As one of the series returners, he is contending with a tough class of rookies that have already stated their case from results in St. Petersburg. Tristan Vautier, the 2011 Star Mazda presented by Goodyear champion, ran away with the pole and the win in his debut Firestone Indy Lights race, while Sam Schmidt Motorsports teammate and fellow rookie Oliver Webb finished fourth.

For the March 30-April 1 event, Firestone Indy Lights will again share the track with the IZOD IndyCar Series, the Star Mazda Championship, GRAND-AM Rolex Series and Continental Sports Car Challenge.

Five drivers entered in the Firestone Indy Lights Grand Prix of Alabama have won a race before in the series, and nine of the 16 entered are rookies. The race will be televised on NBC Sports Network on April 5 at 5 p.m. (ET).