Zachary Claman DeMelo has signed with Belardi Auto Racing to return to Indy Lights in 2019 season after a part-season in IndyCar.
After spending the past year racing in the IndyCar series for Dale Coyne Racing, the Canadian driver returns to the Indy Lights category hungry to win. He has had an impressive career in the Indy Lights category, recording 10 top five finishes, along with a Road America great win in National Park of Speed in 2017.
The Montreal native wants to fight for the title next season. “I am very excited to be joining Belardi Auto Racing for the upcoming season. 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”, said Claman.
The Canadian will try to dethrone Patricio O’Ward and Andretti Autosport, the Indy Lights winners of 2018. Amassing a total of 34 total starts in Indy Lights between 2016 and 2017 seasons, Claman will go into the 2019 season having experience and an eagerness to get back on the top step of the podium.
Belardi Auto Racing team owner Brian Belardi is excited to have a driver with the experience of Claman not only in Indy Lights but in the premier open-wheel category, IndyCar. “We are thrilled to have someone with Zachary’s caliber of talent join our lineup at Belardi Auto Racing for the 2019 Indy Lights season”, said Belardi.
Claman raced 9 courses and finished 23th 2018 season championship in IndyCar. “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” added Brian Belardi.
Belardi Auto Racing and Zachary Claman officially kick off the 2019 season on the Streets of St. Petersburg Florida with practice beginning on March 8.