Seven-time Trans Am champ Ernie Francis Jr. to race Indy Lights in 2022, eyes Indy 500

The most successful driver ever in Trans Am competition is making his long-awaited move to Indy Lights this season

The winningest driver in Trans Am history is headed to Indy Lights.

Ernie Francis Jr. will drive the No. 99 entry for Force Indy for the entire 2022 Indy Lights campaign, it was announced Thursday.

The 24-year-old Haitian American won seven consecutive Trans Am titles between 2014 and 2020. His 47 victories are the most in series history, and his 24 wins in the premier TA rank fourth all-time.

Francis also finished second in last year’s Superstar Racing Experience (SFX) standings with a victory at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

“This is an incredible opportunity,” Francis said in a press release. “After getting a taste last year and beginning to learn what open-wheel racing is all about, I found myself wanting more. Open-wheel cars are incredible to drive.”

Despite his more well-known success in sports cars, Francis also has won in open-wheel cars. He scored three victories in his lone season in the Formula Regional Americas Championship last year.

Francis’ new team, Force Indy, was founded in 2020 by African-American business leader and former racing team manager Rod Reid, with a focus to hire men and women of color in motorsports.

Welcome to Indy Lights pres. by Cooper Tires, @ErnieFrancisJr and @forceindy99.

Francis Jr. will drive the No. 99 starting at the @GPSTPETE.#RoadtoIndy // #TeamCooperTire pic.twitter.com/rEl3ARDm0R

— INDY NXT by Firestone (@INDYNXT) January 27, 2022

During the team’s maiden season in USF2000 last year, Force Indy driver Miles Rowe became the first Black driver to win an IndyCar-sanctioned event when he won at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

“Being able to finish our first season with a win showed what this team is capable of doing,” Reid said. “We want to thank Myles, who will always be a member of the Force Indy race team, and will continue to offer assistance and mentorship as he pursues another season in USF2000.

“I could not be more thrilled to promote our group to the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires championship with Ernie Francis Jr. His work ethic and history of success speak for itself.”

Team Penske has been offering mentorship to Force Indy and will continue to do so this season. The initiative is part of Penske Entertainment’s “Race for Equality & Change”, which also focuses on adding diversity to the sport.

“I was pleased to learn that Ernie would be driving for Force Indy in 2022,” Roger Penske said. “As someone who has a history in Trans Am, I know the type of skillset that comes from that series. Ernie will be a wonderful addition to Indy Lights.

“It was inspiring to see the growth of Force Indy during their first season, and we will continue to support their progress and mission as the team continues on a path to compete in the NTT IndyCar Series.”

Should Francis make his IndyCar debut and compete in the Indy 500, which could potentially be as early as 2023, he would become only the third Black driver in history to do so.

Willy T. Ribbs became the first Black driver in the Greatest Spectacle In Racing in 1990 and did so again in 1993. George Mack has the second and most recent Black driver to race in the Indy 500, making a sole appearance in the 2002 edition of the race.

While an IndyCar debut may still be at least a year away for Francis, if his past racing experience is any indication, he will likely find success in Indy Lights and be primed for a seat in North America’s premier open-wheel series soon.

“To know that I’ll continue my education with Force Indy and only one step away from the NTT IndyCar Series makes this unbelievably special,” Francis said. “I cannot wait to get started.”