Andretti and AFS sever IndyCar and Indy Lights relationship
Since joining forces in 2008, AFS Racing/Andretti Autosport captured two Firestone Indy Lights championship titles and 11 race wins. In 2009 and 2010, AFS Racing expanded its role and fielded an entry within the IZOD IndyCar Series in a joint venture with Andretti Autosport – first for driver Franck Montagny and then for Adam Carroll.
In 2011, Andretti Autosport will be the first team to compete with entries in each step of INDYCAR's 'Road to Indy' ladder development program, including the Star Mazda Championship and the USF2000 National Championship.
Andretti Autosport made its entry into Firestone Indy Lights in 2005 with then-18 year-old Marco Andretti, who claimed three wins-from-pole as part of a limited schedule during the team's debut season. The team made the jump to full-time competition in the series in 2006 and 2007 before combining efforts with AFS Racing in 2008.
AFS Racing is owned by California native Gary Peterson who fielded his first Firestone Indy Lights entry as owner/driver of AFS Racing, Inc., in 2002. AFS Racing earned its two Firestone Indy Lights race victories in 2006 with driver Alex Lloyd and another in 2007 with Wade Cunningham. During his nine seasons as owner of AFS Racing, Peterson has helped develop racing careers for many drivers including Arie Luyendyk Jr., Raphael Matos, J.R. Hildebrand, Sebastian Saavedra, Thiago Medeiros, Tyce Carlson and Phil Giebler.
Andretti Autosport is currently going through the process of securing Firestone Indy Lights drivers for the 2011 season. For more information, please visit www.AndrettiAutosport.com.
AFS Racing is also securing drivers for the 2011 season. For more information, please visit www.AFSRacing.com.
GARY PETERSON, OWNER, AFS RACING:
"AFS Racing's partnership with Andretti Autosport has certainly been a successful one, but it's time for both organizations to try some new things. I've enjoyed working with Michael [Andretti] and developing more good young talent within open-wheel racing. I expect AFS Racing to continue to have a strong Firestone Indy Lights program and we'll continue to work toward our bigger goal of fielding cars at the IndyCar level on a regular basis."
MICHAEL ANDRETTI, CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT:
"Gary [Peterson] has been a great partner for us over the last three seasons and we've accomplished a lot together. Not only were we able to win two Firestone Indy Lights championships, but we were also to do some good things together at the IndyCar level. That was a big help to us within our program and that experience should really help Gary as he looks to take his racing program even further in the future."
J-F THORMANN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT:
"We'd like to thank Gary [Peterson] and AFS for their commitment and a successful partnership over the last few years. We look forward to continuing in Firestone Indy Lights and developing new talent through the 'Road to Indy' program. We hope to add to our success as a team in the 2011 season and beyond."