Rookies earn licenses at Phoenix test

Five drivers passed the Indy Pro Series rookie test Feb. 7-8 on the 1-mile oval at Phoenix International Raceway, bringing the number of drivers who have passed the rookie test this off-season to nearly 30.

Sam Schmidt Motorsports' drivers Logan Gomez and Ryan Justice, who each made road course starts in the Indy Pro Series last year, were among the drivers passing the oval rookie test under the eye of Indy Pro Series technical director Butch Meyer.

Other drivers who earned their licenses were Pablo Perez, who has been announced as one of two drivers for Chip Ganassi Racing's new Indy Pro Series entry, as well as potential rookie drivers in the series Ken Losch and Mirl Swan.

"All of these guys have been very impressive," Meyer said. "They're all turning laps in about the 24 seconds range, which is very quick. It's been a busy off-season with all of these rookie tests, but it should lead to a hotly contested championship."

Eleven drivers and five teams participated in the private test at Phoenix tuning up for the Indy Pro Series' pre-season Open Test which will be Feb. 20-22 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The opening race of the series-record 16-race schedule is March 24 at Homestead-Miami.