Ed Jones, the Dubai-born British driver, got the points needed to be the Indy Lights champion at Laguna Seca and among his rewards for his success in the racing series is a grid spot at the 2017 Indianapolis 500.
Pole position
The Dubai-born racer had gone into the final race of the season at Laguna Seca on Sunday leading the standings with a seven-point lead over nearest rival Santiago Urrutia. Starting from pole position, the Carlin driver looked well placed to secure the title in the single-seater series, which is the main support championship to the IndyCar Series.
• Interview: From Jebel Ali to Indianapolis: Ed Jones at home on North America's Oval tracks
Final lap
Jones made a poor start, however, and fell to fifth in the opening laps. With Urrutia running second in his Schmidt Peterson Motorsports car, it would have been the Uruguayan who won the title. But Jones passed Carlin teammate Felix Serralles on the final lap of the race, which gave the Briton the championship by two points.
IndyCar races
As well as winning the championship, Jones, 21, who began his racing career when he was five with karting at Jebel Ali Circuit, is guaranteed to compete in three races in the 2017 IndyCar Series, including the Indy 500, which takes place on May 28, as part of the scholarship reward given to the driver who comes out on top in Indy Lights.
Amazing feeling
“To know that I will be able to line up on the grid for the 2017 Indy 500 is such an amazing feeling,” Jones said. “It’s a great result for Carlin as well as a new team in America and I’m sure we’ll see them in IndyCar as well soon.” Jones won two of the 18 races during the season, and had six other podium finishes as well as eight pole positions.
Consistency
Trevor Carlin, the owner of the Carlin team, said: “He has been consistently strong for the last two seasons and I’m so pleased to see that rewarded with the title.”
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