BROWNSBURG, IN - Belardi Auto Racing announced today that second generation open-wheel driver Chad Boat will make his Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires debut at Iowa Speedway on Sunday, July 9. Additionally, Boat will compete in the No. 84 Dallara IL-15 at Gateway Motorsports Park on Saturday, August 26 with the team. Pristine Auction, the premier autographed sports memorabilia auction house in the US, will serve as the primary sponsor for both events.

“We’re extremely pleased to announce the addition of Chad Boat to our stable of drivers for the Iowa and Gateway Indy Lights oval races this summer,” offered Belardi Auto Racing owner Brian Belardi. “It’s exciting to have a second-generation driver running with us, and we’re certainly looking forward to getting Chad on track in Iowa.”

The 25-year-old Boat, who earned the Rookie of the Year title in both the USAC National Midget and Sprint car divisions, will add the two Indy Lights events to his full-time 2017 USAC National Midget schedule. Boat, who has previously competed at Iowa Speedway in the stock car ranks, is also scheduled to participate in a team test at the 0.894-mile Newton, IA oval which was initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 28 but will instead be run this evening to avoid inclement weather that is expected to arrive tomorrow.

“I grew up watching my dad race Indy cars, so having the opportunity to run Indy Lights this year is absolutely surreal,” said Boat. “I have to thank Belardi Auto Racing for giving me a shot behind the wheel of the No. 84 Dallara, as well as Pristine Auction for their continued support in my racing career. I can’t wait to get to Iowa Speedway.”The Phoenix, AZ native is following in the footsteps of his father and former winning Indy car driver, Billy Boat. Follow @ChadBoat on Twitter and Instagram for updates as he makes his first-career start in Indy Lights competition this season.###Belardi Auto Racing is an organization comprised of experienced individuals in the racing industry with an aggressive growth strategy and a strong commitment to finishing up front. No stranger to winning, team members having been achieving success in both the amateur and pro ranks for over a decade, winning numerous junior formula car races and championships. Based in Brownsburg, IN, Belardi Auto Racing won the 2014 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires championship and has scored multiple races wins in both Indy Lights and the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered By Mazda, including the Freedom 100 at Indianapolis and prestigious races like the Long Beach Grand Prix, the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and the Toronto Indy and events at tracks such as the Milwaukee Mile, Pocono, Road America, Watkins Glen and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Pristine Auction is a consignment based auction house in operation since 2010, specializing in autographed memorabilia, sports cards and collectibles. Pristine Auction takes every effort to ensure that every piece of autographed memorabilia that passes through their auction house is 100% authentic. For more information visit pristineauction.com and follow them on Twitter at @PristineAuction.