Neil Micklewright named general manager of AFS Racing Indy Lights team

Veteran motorsports executive Neil Micklewright is the new general manager and vice president of operations for Firestone Indy Lights championship-winning entrant AFS Racing, the team announced on Thursday.

"I am absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity by [team owner Gary] Peterson," said Micklewright. "The history of AFS Racing as both a perennial championship contender and also developer of star drivers is hard to beat. I relish the chance to be involved with a first-rate Firestone Indy Lights Team and look forward to contributing to many more years of success."

Micklewright served previously as general manager and vice president of operations for CART World Series team Forsythe Racing from 1994 to 2009. Prior to that, he was team manager for Douglas Shierson Racing, where he participated in his first Indianapolis 500 win with Arie Luyendyk. He also spent 11 years in Formula One.

AFS Racing will run its operation out of Forsythe Racing's Indianapolis facility.

"I'm very pleased to have Neil join AFS Racing," Peterson said. "His tasks will include securing sponsorship and handling race operations. The chance to work side-by-side with Neil in Forsythe Racing's Indianapolis facility is a dream come true for me. I trust Neil and his experience in running one of the premier teams in the history of open-wheel [racing] to help AFS make the transition into fulltime IndyCar racing as soon as possible."