TAMPA, Fla. – Team Pelfrey announced today that Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires driver, Scott Hargrove, will pilot the No. 3 Gap Guard Team Pelfrey Indy Lights Mazda in rounds one and two at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

“I’m ecstatic about joining the new Team Pelfrey Indy Lights program,” said Hargrove. “It's clear that this is a team that knows how to win, and I’m very confident we’ll be competitive right out of the gate. After nearly a year out of the Indy Lights car, St. Pete will be a great reintroduction as it is one of my favorite tracks on the schedule and I’ve had success there in the past.”



Upon the March 11-13 race weekend, Hargrove will also test with the team at Phoenix International Raceway on February 25th. Indy Lights Team Principal, Gary Neal, will look to utilize the Mazda Road to Indy veteran’s experience and insight along with Juan Piedrahita’s short oval success.



Team Pelfrey Indy Lights Team Owner and Principal, Dale Pelfrey, see’s his first-year program a force to be reckoned with on the Mazda Road to Indy.



“My goal when forming the Indy Lights program was to find a way to make a statement in the Mazda Road to Indy," said Pelfrey. "With the addition of Scott and Juan and the experience of the former 8Star Motorsports crew, we are adding key ingredients that will establish a competitive, experienced and winning culture. We can’t wait for St. Pete.”

“Adding Scott Hargrove in a second Team Pelfrey Indy Lights car for St. Petersburg to partner with Juan Piedrahita is great for the team,” said Neal. “Yves Touron [Engineer] and I had the pleasure to work with Scott at St. Pete for his debut in the Dallara IL-15. Now we can come back with some track data with the same driver and look for a competitive showing. We will use input from both drivers, and I am sure we will see the benefits of being a multi-car team."



The 21-year-old Surrey, British Columbia-native previously worked with Neal and Touron in 2015, competing at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with 8Star Motorsports. The Canadian finished in 4th place and 6th place respectively.



“I had the pleasure of working with Gary and Yves in 2015; they are great guys with the passion and desire to win. It’s always beneficial to work with people you already have a great relationship with, and that certainly is the case here,” said Hargrove.



Hargrove joins Juan Piedrahita in the Team Pelfrey camp. Piedrahita’s experience racing with Hargrove and Mazda Road to Indy experience bodes well for the two-car team.



“I'm very excited to be joined by Scott,” said Piedrahita. “He is a great driver and having two cars on the track will help a lot with the team development, I know Scott will be a great teammate, I really hope Scott will be my teammate for the rest of the season."



With the season opener in less than 17 days, Team Pelfrey Indy Lights and Scott Hargrove are optimistic about their future in fielding the Canadian for the rest of the 2016 Indy Lights season.



“There is no doubt in my mind I will run for the entire season. Every day, I’m gaining momentum, and it's just a matter of time until everything is in place and we can focus 100% on racing for wins and the championship.”



For more information on Scott Hargrove and Team Pelfrey follow them on Twitter @Scott_Hargrove and @TeamPelfrey. And on Facebook at Official Team Pelfrey and Scott Hargrove Motorsports.



