Reigning Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires champion Gabby Chaves rode with the confluence of past, present and future during testing of the new-for-2015 Indy Lights car Sept. 6 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“It will be a great asset for the feeder series to have new cars, a lot more interest from drivers overseas, a lot more new teams so there will be a bigger field,” he said. “That not only creates a better ladder series, but promotes INDYCAR as well.”
During 190 problem-free miles on the historic 2.5-mile oval, Chaves recorded a best lap speed of 191.900 mph, which unofficially broke the Indy Lights track record set by Wade Cunningham of 190.177 mph on May 22, 2009.
“Getting to help with the development and working with Dallara is a great opportunity for a young driver like me. I have my small part in young drivers’ careers,” added Chaves, who wrapped up the Indy Lights title Aug. 24 at Sonoma Raceway.
Chaves was the championship runner-up to Sage Karam in 2013 and returned for a second year of seasoning with Belardi Auto Racing. He won four races and finished in the top five in 11 of the 14 events. With the championship, Chaves earned the $750,000 scholarship to apply to a Verizon IndyCar Series ride in 2015.
The Mazda Road to Indy is the only ladder series to presents scholarships to its three champions – USF2000, Pro Mazda and Indy Lights – to assist in the move to the next level.
“I think another year was one of the best things that could have happened to me,” said Chaves, a Miami resident who turned 21 on July 7. “I look back and there are so many scenarios that if it went a little bit different I would have won the championship last year. At the moment you’re frustrated, but it worked out well.
“I have the ability to start the season with the scholarship and if you do that and get to the Indy 500, it’s likely you’ll get some help along the way. I don’t have to commit for a full season not knowing if I’m going to be able to fund it all. When you have $750,000, it’s a lot to work with. It gives incentive for teams to take interest and winning the title is a big thing in its own. I’m open to any opportunity and right now, with plenty of time before the next season, I’m taking it a day at a time and seeing what the best available options are and making the best of it.
“I feel more prepared for IndyCar; this year might have been a little early. Now I’m really ready to make that step, and not just make that step and relax and say, ‘OK, I made it,’ but I feel I can be competitive right away. Almost every single Indy Lights race is with IndyCar so you jump into the bigger car and it’s one less thing to learn.”
Chaves won the Freedom 100 in May on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval and after driving the new Indy Lights car he couldn’t daydream a bit about competing in May 2015 in “The Greatest Spectacle in Motorsports.”
“To be able to finish the season as champion and to say I’m guaranteed to have a seat in the biggest race in motorsports is enough to sleep well,” he said.