- Swede could seal INDYCAR support series title this weekend
- Portland first up in end-of-year west coast double-header
Linus Lundqvist will be handed a first opportunity to wrap up the most important title of his motorsport career this weekend as the penultimate round of the 2022 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires campaign plays out in Portland, Oregon.
Lundqvist leads the Indy Lights standings by a commanding 108 points ahead of second-placed Matthew Brabham (Australia) heading into this weekend’s race, with only the season-finale at Laguna Seca then remaining a week later.
Laguna Seca will feature a double-header event with two races, leaving a maximum possible haul of 108 points on the table in the California finale.
That means Lundqvist could potentially put the title beyond reach for his rivals prematurely, were the Swede to leave this weekend’s Portland meeting 109 points or more clear of the opposition.
Lundqvist is vying to become the first Swedish driver in history to clinch the Indy Lights crown and take home the main feeder category to the top-tier NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
“We’re getting into the last stretch of the season, and I’m extremely excited for these last two rounds in Portland and Laguna Seca,” says Linus Lundqvist. “I know that I’ve got one hand on the title and it’s obviously a nice position to be in. Wrapping it up early in Portland would be a dream outcome, but there’s no stress. I’m up for a close fight this weekend and I will be going for victory, like always.”
Lundqvist has been the dominant factor in this year’s Indy Lights championship, racking up five wins, seven pole positions and eight podiums from 11 races so far. Thus, the 23-year-old HMD Motorsports driver tops the stats in all areas leading into the September finals.
Heading to Portland this weekend, Lundqvist continues to aim high. Last year saw two races staged on the 3.1 km road course, with Lundqvist finishing on the podium in both alongside current NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers David Malukas and Kyle Kirkwood.
“We were quick in Portland last year,” Linus Lundqvist concludes. “I had two podiums, and David (then HMD Motorsports team-mate) took one of the wins. I was a rookie back then and I picked up a few tricks that I look forward to trying out again this weekend. I have a great feeling. It may look straightforward on a map, but Portland is actually quite a particular track, so it will be fun to drive there again.”
Practice for this weekend’s Indy Lights event begins on Friday. Qualifying is set for Saturday afternoon local time, with the 35-lap race taking place on Sunday. Streaming of all sessions is available through the INDYCAR Live! online platform.
FX Airguns will hold the position of Event Title Sponsor during the Portland event.
TIME TABLE
All times local (U.S. Pacific)
Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires
Rd. 12 | Portland International Raceway
Friday 2 September
Practice 1: 1:25-2:15 pm
Saturday 3 September
Practice 2: 11:15-11:55 am
Qualifying: 3:25-3:45 pm
Sunday 4 September
Race: 10:20 am
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires
Top 5 | After 11/14 races
1: Linus Lundqvist (SWE), 480 p.
2: Matthew Brabham (AUS), 372 p.
3: Hunter McElrea (NZL), 371 p.
4: Sting Ray Robb (USA), 361 p.
5: Benjamin Pedersen (DEN), 331 p.
View full standings
ENTRY LIST
View entry list here
STREAMING & TIMING
racecontrol.indycar.com
INDYCAR Live!
UPDATES & RESULTS
www.linuslundqvistracing.se
LL Facebook | LL Instagram
FURTHER INFORMATION
Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires
HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing
