Photo: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Zachary Claman DeMelo will make a return to Indy Lights next year with Belardi Auto Racing after a part-season in IndyCar.
The 20-year-old Canadian made his single-seater debut in 2015, starring in the MSV Formula 3 Cup, before spending two seasons in Indy Lights where he took one win and finished fifth in the 2017 standings. He made his IndyCar debut at the end of the year, and entered nine races with Dale Coyne Racing this season with a best finish of 12th.
Last week he drove for Belardi in the Homestead-Miami open test, and despite being slowest, was only 0.1292 seconds off the pace.
?I am very excited to be joining Belardi Auto Racing for the upcoming season,” Claman DeMelo said.
“The team has a great track record for being very competitive and for getting drivers to IndyCar and keeping them there. ?Being back in Indy Lights will be good for my development as a driver and as a competitor, but my only goal going into this season is to win the championship.?
?We are thrilled to have someone with Zachary?s caliber of talent join our lineup for the season,” said team principal Brian Belardi, who ran Gabby Chaves to the 2014 Indy Lights title.
“The experience he brings from not only the IndyCar series, but as a race winning driver in the Indy Lights category will really pay off, and I personally am excited to see where the team goes this year.?