Scott Anderson got a taste of what he’ll experience in the future as moves up the Mazda Road to Indy.

The 23-year-old Pro Mazda Championship driver tested a Firestone Indy Lights car with Bryan Herta Autosport on July 24 at Putnam Park Road Course near Indianapolis. The test was part of his award for winning the Skip Barber National Championship in 2011.

"Being in the Pro Mazda series at the moment, with Indy Lights as the next step, it was perfect timing to get a taste of what I'll be driving in a year or two,” said Anderson, who decided to delay the test until he felt he could fully maximize the opportunity. “Now I know what to expect and I'll have time to look back and reflect, so I'll be that much better prepared when I make the jump.”

Anderson, a former MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development scholarship recipient, is fifth in the Pro Mazda points and h and is coming off his first podium - a second place finish  at Canadian Tires Motorsports Park. 

The Fort Collins, Colo., native made a good impression as he quickly adapted to the increased speed and power of the Indy Lights car and according to the team, Anderson demonstrated that he is ready to make the next step up the Mazda Road to Indy ladder.


“Testing with Bryan Herta Autosport in their Indy Lights car was a fantastic opportunity,” Anderson said. “The team did a flawless job getting me comfortable in the car and up to speed quickly.

Forgeois rejoins USF2000 lineup with Andretti team
Luca Forgeois will return to the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda in a third entry fielded by Andretti Autosport.

The 18-year-old New York City native joins Andretti Autosport's championship winning team to partner with the duo of Garett Grist and Austin Cindric for the tripleheader weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 3 and 4; Forgeois will pilot the No. 8 Café Noir/Splashlight machine. 

"Due to some unfortunate circumstances, I've been out of the car for a while and I'm really looking forward to getting back in the car after three months," Forgeois said. "I was having a tough time in the beginning of the season and was having trouble getting back on my feet. Dealing with things off of the track, I was having trouble keeping focused. I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity handed to me by the Andretti Autosport team.”

Forgeois began competing in go-karts at age 13 and then moved on to the USF2000 Championship in 2011 where he won the National Class Championship with six wins and 10 overall podium finishes. But he’s struggled to establish himself in the Championship class the last two seasons.

"I haven't had the smoothest career path thus far, and have hit a lot of rough patches and it's been quite a bit difficult,” he said. “Getting the chance to race with one of the top teams in USF2000 and the overall Mazda Road to Indy is phenomenal. Teams don't often bother giving a driver an opportunity mid-season, so I cannot thank the entire Andretti organization enough. I'm really looking forward to getting back in the car and just getting some good results for them."

Andretti Autosport Vice President of Racing Operations Kyle Moyer is happy to welcome Forgeois on board. "Luca tested for us at the Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy test back in October (2012) and we saw he was a great fit for the team. We're really looking forward to having him join us at Mid-Ohio, and excited to further explore his potential."