Indianapolis, Ind. – Team Pelfrey announced today Shelby Blackstock will compete in the signature yellow No. 3 Team Pelfrey Indy Lights Mazda to begin the 2018 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season.

The 28-year-old Nashville, Tenn. resident will enter his seventh season on the Mazda Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires alongside his new teammate, Neil Alberico. Last season, Blackstock finished a career best third-place at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. His highest finish on the Streets of St. Petersburg came last year when he finished fourth in Race One.

“I’m really looking forward to this weekend at St. Petersburg. This was a last-minute deal and I’m very grateful for everybody who helped out in the process of putting it together,” said Blackstock. “I’m looking forward to working with Team Pelfrey for the first time and hopefully we come out of the weekend with exceptional results.”

With the announcement of Blackstock, Team Pelfrey will now enter their third season in Indy Lights fielding a two-car operation at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

“The offseason for us has been interesting but adding Neil and Shelby to the team here in the last week has our team very excited and motivated,” said Gary Neal, team manager of Team Pelfrey Indy Lights. “Experience anywhere in racing is important, but knowledge and experience around the street circuit at St. Pete is vital. We’re grateful to have two drivers with exceptional experience and talent in our cars.”

Blackstock will turn his first laps since the final weekend of the season in September of 2017 when practice for the Mazda Indy Lights Grand Prix of St. Petersburg begins on Friday at 8:50 a.m. ET. The first race takes place on Saturday, March 10 at 1:05 p.m. ET. You can watch all of the sessions live on RoadtoIndy.TV.