IndyCar Series drivers headline karting event

Seventeen current and past IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights drivers are among those who will compete in the Mazda RoboPong 200 that is scheduled for Sept. 28 on the 1.1-mile course east of Indianapolis that is owned by former IndyCar Series driver Mark Dismore.

The 200-lap endurance event features a $25,000 purse.

“It feels like the Indianapolis 500," said 2006 Firestone Indy Lights champion and five-race IndyCar Series starter Jay Howard. “It’s a big deal to get 100 teams to show up and try and qualify, and it’s cool that so many professional drivers come out. To me, it’s an event that I look forward to all year long. As soon as the race is over, I’ll start thinking about next year right away, just like the Indy 500."

Howard, who runs the Screaming Talent karting team, will be among the favorites in the event.

“Last year, we qualified on the front row and were leading the race when we had the exhaust break," said Howard, who owns three British karting titles from his youth. “We ended up fifth, but for sure we would’ve won. Hopefully, this year will be different."

Other drivers entered in the event include 2008 IndyCar Series drivers John Andretti, Ed Carpenter, A.J. Foyt IV, Alex Lloyd, Vitor Meira, Will Power, Tomas Scheckter and Dan Wheldon; past IndyCar Series drivers Dismore, Phil Giebler, Scott Goodyear and Bryan Herta; and Firestone Indy Lights drivers Cyndie Allemann, Logan Gomez and Robbie Pecorari. Team owner Michael Crawford also is entered.