Photo: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
USF2000 runner-up Hunter McElrea has finalised his move up to Indy Pro 2000, continuing with the Pabst Racing team he drove for last year.
The Australia-based Kiwi-American won the Australian Formula Ford title in dominant fashion in 2018, and then moved to USF2000 as a result of success in the the $200,000 Road to Indy Shootout.
In USF2000 he won four races and just missed out on becoming champion, which put the expected step up to IP2000 initially in doubt.
?I am thrilled to be on the 2020 Indy Pro 2000 grid, and step up into the middle step of the Road to Indy,? said McElrea.
?After getting my first taste of an Indy Pro 2000 car at the Chris Griffis Test last year, I was hooked. I am very grateful for the opportunity that Pabst Racing has given me, along with my backers, sponsors, and Team HM members for getting me on the grid. I cannot wait to get back into the car!?
McElrea set the pace in the IP2000 segment of the post-season Chris Griffis Memorial Test at Indianapolis, and is set to enter next week’s pre-season test at Homestead-Miami Speedway despite not appearing on the entry list.
?We?re extremely happy to have Hunter move up to Indy Pro 2000 with us for 2020,? team owner Augie Pabst added.
?His pace in testing has been impressive, and it?s obvious how well he?s acclimated to the Tatuus PM-18. I can?t wait to see our cars and drivers on track this weekend!?
McElrea’s USF2000 team-mate Colin Kaminsky is also moving up to IP2000 with Pabst.