Star Mazda - Series Frontrunners Earn Test Days

Indianapolis, Sept. 23, 2011: Three of the top four finishers in the 2011 Star Mazda Championship got their first taste of Firestone Indy Lights car this week during private tests with Sam Schmidt Motorsports and Davey Hamilton Racing.

Young American driver Connor De Phillippi and Nick Andries, who finished second and third, respectively, in the point standings for Team Pelfrey, took their first laps at Putnam Park on Sept. 20 in a car prepared by Sam Schmidt Motorsports.

J.V. Horto, who finished fourth in Star Mazda for Juncos Racing, joined them for a test on Sept. 23 at Kentucky Speedway in a car prepared by Davey Hamilton Racing.

Also testing at Kentucky in preparation for the final two events of 2011 were Victor Carbone (Sam Schmidt Motorsports), Jorge Goncalvez and Jacob Wilson (Belardi Auto Racing), Oliver Webb (Jensen MotorSport), Brandon Wagner (Davey Hamilton Racing) and Rusty Mitchell (Team E).