Stoneman needs money to buy Indy 500 ride (Update)

Dean Stoneman – if he has check he will drive

UPDATE Despite moving to the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup in 2017, Dean Stoneman still has an ambition to race in the Verizon IndyCar Series, and is aiming his debut to come at this year’s Indianapolis 500.

Stoneman recently announced plans to race for Strakka Racing in Blancpain alongside Andrew Watson and Jazeman Jaafar in a McLaren 650S GT3, but like much of his career to date, he knows sponsorship is key to his ambitions, and he is working hard in order to make it happen at the Brickyard this May.

The British racer was part of Andretti Autosport’s line-up in Indy Lights in 2016, and took a famous double victory at Indianapolis, winning on both the road course and the oval last May.

“I’d always looked at GT racing but had better opportunities to get to Formula 1 or IndyCar, and that’s changed since last year, so I’m excited to have a go with the Strakka team in Blancpain, but from where I sit, I’m going to leave the door open to IndyCar," said Stoneman to Racer.

“My aim would be to do the Indy 500 this year as that would be a great achievement, and we are trying to find a sponsor for it.

“Our first GT race is the end of April at Monza; we’re only doing the endurance side of the Blancpain championship, so there are some openings in the schedule that would allow something like the Indy 500 to happen for me. But it’s down to budget, as always." The Checkered Flag

11/08/16 Like all up and coming IndyCar drivers, money, not talent, determine whether you land a ride. Andretti Autosport Indy Lights driver Dean Stoneman, who deserves a shot at a ride based on talent – 2 wins and 7 podiums in 2016, finds himself in the same boat hundreds have faced before him – the need to buy your ride in IndyCar.

"Overall, this year in Indy Lights, it was a good season, we had some highs and lows, we showed we could mix it up on ovals and won the Freedom 100 and on the IMS road course, but I wouldn't go back to Indy Lights," the 26-year-old told RACER.

"After the season we had, I've proved my speed in Indy Lights – I've come to America, proved the American route is the right way from where I came from, and we're only looking at IndyCar."

"The living and traveling in North America is really nice, and it's where I want to stay," he added. "It comes down to budget as always, and there are a couple of doors that could be opened if we find the budget."

"We're in the same position as fellow Brit Jack Harvey," Stoneman said. "There are some talented drivers out there who don't have the money to get a seat, and there are some drivers with medium talent who can pay for it. I was so lucky to have Bob Stellrecht sponsoring us in Lights and he made it all possible and you quickly realize how much harder it is to put the kind of money together teams are asking for in IndyCar. I don't see it as something that comes easy for most of us."

"I'm giving IndyCar everything I have to be there next year, and if it doesn't work out, maybe it's time to drive LMP2s or GTs in America," he admitted.

"I've done sports cars before, so that's always there, but I'm dead set on making it to IndyCar. Anything else I'd do would be a direct result of what happens for me there."