Reigning Indy Lights champion Spencer Pigot is aiming to finish within the top ten on his IndyCar debut at the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Pigot has previous knowledge of the tricky St. Petersburg street course from racing in various IndyCar support series and is hoping to use this experience to his advantage.
“St. Pete has always been a great track for me,” said the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing racer.
“I've won there five times now [in support series] and never finished worse than fourth, so I'm hoping to keep the run of good finishes going.
“I think if I were able to finish in the top ten this weekend that would be a good result.”
Despite his experience, Pigot admits he is nervous ahead of his IndyCar debut.
"Sometimes I get a little nervous before a race,” said Pigot, who won six times last season in Indy Lights.
“Maybe a 3-4 on the scale of 1-10. It might be a little higher at St. Pete because it's my first race, but the nerves always go away as soon as we take off for the formation laps.
“On track the cars are very different (Indy Lights vs. an Indy car). “The Indy car is much bigger, more powerful and has a lot more downforce than the Indy Lights car.
“The races are twice as long with pit stops, different tyre compounds and strategies, so there will be a lot for me to learn in my first race at St. Pete.”
