No rest for new leader Lundqvist in quick turnaround

Back-to-back events for Indy Lights contingent
Season reaches halfway point at Road America
Wisconsin track presents vastly different challenge to streets of Detroit

New championship leader Linus Lundqvist is poised for a quick turnaround as Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires returns to the limelight again this weekend, just days after the most recent round in Detroit.

The challenge this time around, however, is vastly different to what the teams and drivers faced last weekend. The tight, bumpy and intense Belle Isle street course gives way for the wide open spaces of picturesque Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin – the longest track on the schedule at a full four miles (6.5 km).

“It’s back-to-back races and we’ve only just had the time to analyze last weekend before we’re resetting for this,” says Linus Lundqvist. “Road America is a very different track to Detroit, so it’s a new playing field once again. I’ve only tested there once, but it’s a fast and flowing circuit which punishes mistakes and is highly rewarding when you get it right. It’s a long lap, so it’s important to string it all together, especially in qualifying.”

Lundqvist enters the Road America weekend having snatched a narrow lead in the standings through a double podium in Detroit, but the 22-year-old Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports Swede is chased hard by two American rivals in the shape of David Malukas and Kyle Kirkwood – just one and four points adrift, respectively.

“It’s close up there and I would expect more of the same going forward,” concludes Linus Lundqvist. “We’ve had a strong car basically everywhere this year, but particularly at this type of road courses, so I’m confident in the package we’ve got. I can’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be up there again this weekend. I’m good to go!”

Following this weekend’s races, the 2021 Indy Lights campaign will have reached exactly its halfway point. Running gets underway at Road America already on Thursday with two hours of pre-event testing, before the race weekend itself formally begins on Friday with practice and the opening qualifying session.

Saturday’s schedule contains Qualifying 2 and Race 1, with the meeting then concluding on Sunday with Race 2.

On-track action will be available for international fans through live streaming at www.linuslundqvistracing.se, throughout the year.