Indianapolis, IN – February 18, 2016 – Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (SPM) announced today that Santiago Urrutia will compete with the team, driving the No. 55 Mazda-sponsored car, in the Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires Series for the 2016 season.
Urrutia competed in various formulaes in Europe before winning the 2015 Pro Mazda championship and earning Rookie of the Year honors.
The 19-year-old Uruguayan driver completed a successful Indy Lights test with SPM at Homestead-Miami Speedway in January of this year. Urrutia will test again with the team next week at Phoenix International Raceway before the first race in St. Pete.
“I am very honored to be able to drive for SPM,” said Urrutia. “The team has an amazing record in Indy Lights and I am going to make sure I add to its tally of wins and championships. I’m also very happy to work with an incredible group of guys and gals that I’ve already met during my tests with the team. Now that the business of contracts is done, St. Pete here we come!”
Team owner Sam Schmidt added, “I’m very pleased to have Santiago joining the SPM team for 2016. He is clearly talented and deserving to have won the scholarship to advance to Indy Lights. What impressed me most are his focus, maturity and determination to be the very best. You can see it in his eyes and the way he approaches every aspect of the business. He is totally committed and will be competitive straight away.”
The Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires season opener, the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg – Race 1, will take place on Saturday, March 12 at 12:55 p.m. ET. As part of a double-header weekend, the second race will take place on Sunday, March 13 at 9:45 a.m. ET. More information is available at www.GPStPete.com.