Linus Lundqvist scored a battling podium to cap off a weekend of much learning as the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires championship set camp on the streets of St. Petersburg…
Lundqvist went into the weekend as one of just three drivers in the field to have never sat foot at the challenging Florida street course, but progressed to the point where he ultimately brought himself into podium contention.
After finishing ninth in a rather eventful opening race of the weekend, featuring contact with a rival driver and two visits to pitlane, Lundqvist returned to the fore in Sunday’s Race 2.
From seventh on the grid, the Swedish Indy Lights rookie laid the foundations for his podium charge with a commanding start, in which he rocketed instantly into fourth.
He then grabbed the opportunity provided by a safety car restart to overtake third-placed Devlin DeFrancesco (CAN), and went on to maintain the position for the remainder of the race as he gradually edged clear of his pursuers.
“To actually score a podium here feels a little bit like a victory,” says Linus Lundqvist. “It has been a weekend of much learning. It’s my first time here at St. Pete, and only my second street race ever, so I have to be pleased with my pace and the progression I’ve had compared to the more experienced guys. The car is intact, we’ve scored solid points, and I’m happy to give the team some silverware to take away from this weekend.“
The outcome in Florida means Lundqvist – who won on debut last weekend at the Barber Motorsports Park season-opener – now sits second in the overall standings.
Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports team-mate David Malukas (USA) heads the charts after winning Sunday’s race in St. Petersburg, just three points clear of Lundqvist.
Indy Lights returns to action on May 13-15 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
RESULTS
Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires
Rd. 2 | St. Petersburg (USA)
Race 1
1: Kyle Kirkwood (USA), 35 laps
2: Danial Frost (SGP), +1.382s
3: David Malukas (USA), +2.334s
4: Robert Megennis (USA), +6.788s
5: Alex Peroni (AUS), +9.161s
—
9: Linus Lundqvist (SWE), +15.317s
View complete results
Race 2
1: David Malukas (USA), 40 laps
2: Kyle Kirkwood (USA), +0.682s
3: Linus Lundqvist (SWE), +13.053s
4: Danial Frost (SGP), +14.920s
5: Devlin DeFrancesco (CAN), +25.948s
View complete results
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires
Top 5 | After 4/20 races
1: David Malukas (USA), 94 p.
2: Linus Lundqvist (SWE), 91 p.
3: Kyle Kirkwood (USA), 86 p.
4: Devlin DeFrancesco (CAN), 70 p.
5: Danial Frost (SGP), 67 p.
View complete standings
