2004 Infiniti Pro Series

February 2025 Infiniti Pro Series Infiniti Pro Series 2004 12 February 29 October 16 BRA Thiago Medeiros USA Sam Schmidt Motorsports USA P. J. Chesson 2003 2005 thumb|right The 2004 Menards IRL Infiniti Pro Series season was the third season of the series under the Indy Racing League ownership, and the 19th in Indy NXT combined history, as officially recognized by IndyCar. All teams used Dallara IL-02 chassis and Infiniti engines. In his second year of Pro Series competition, Thiago Medeiros won the championship convincingly, giving Sam Schmidt Motorsports its first title. He won six wins, including the second running of the Freedom 100 from pole position, scored seven pole positions and led the most laps in all but two of the 12 races. Medeiros became champion by taking the green flag at the penultimate round in Chicagoland, and finished with a 134-point lead over Paul Dana, who scored his lone Infiniti Pro Series win at Milwaukee. Despite joining the Infiniti Pro Series at the fourth round in Kansas, rookie P. J. Chesson rallied to a fourth place in the standings, including a three-win streak with newcomers Mo Nunn Racing, an effort instigated and managed by Nunn's wife Kathryn. Despite a penalty at the last round that demoted him behind Arie Luyendyk Jr. in the standings, Chesson won Rookie of the Year over Leonardo Maia by 25 points. A. J. Foyt Enterprises and Panther Racing, the champions of the previous two editions, left the series, although Foyt entered a car for Jeff Simmons at the Freedom 100, finishing second behind Medeiros. Simmons and Marty Roth became the first drivers to contest the Indianapolis 500 and the Freedom 100 in the same year. Sinden Racing Service and Genoa Racing also left the series entirely, while the privateer effort by Matt Beardsley ceased to be after the Freedom 100. On the other hand, Roquin Motorsports re-expanded to a full time effort, Roth Racing, Racing Professionals and Bullet-Team Motorsports made their debut with partial seasons, apart from Mo Nunn joining the championship at the fourth round. While the Freedom 100 attracted 17 competitors, the Infiniti Pro Series struggled with entries throughout much of 2004, especially during the summer stretch, with only nine cars and just three finishers at the Milwaukee round. Grid sizes improved over the last three races, with 15 drivers in each round. Only the top 3 drivers in the standings contested the full season, with two others missing one round. Former IndyCar drivers that competed during the season were Billy Roe, Jon Herb, Cory Witherill and Scott Mayer. Team and driver chart TeamNo. Car numberDriversRoundsKeith Duesenberg Racing2USA Phil Giebler2004-02-26 IPS: Giebler signs with Duesenberg Racing for 2004 https://au.motorsport.com/indylights/news/ips-giebler-signs-with-duesenberg-racing-for-2004/2027306/ 2023-10-03 au.motorsport.com en1–3, 11USA Alfred UnserJune 30, 2004 Unser Joins Forces With Keith Duesenberg Racing http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3109 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20040807003149/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3109 August 7, 2004 October 3, 2023 indyracing.com4–10, 1222USA Ross FonferkoJuly 14, 2004 Unser, Fonferko Join Forces With Duesenberg http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3186 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20040807003656/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3186 August 7, 2004 October 3, 2004 indyracing.com5USA Phil Giebler7–9USA P. J. Abbott12Brian Stewart Racing3CAN Jesse MasonJanuary 16, 2004 Youngster In Line for Ride With Stewart Racing http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2224 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20041216065843/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2224 December 16, 2004 October 3, 2023 indyracing.com1–10CAN Marty RothOctober 6, 2004 Roth Points To Running Full Time In 2005 Season http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3631 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20041029085150/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3631 October 29, 2004 October 3, 2023 indyracing.com11USA Ryan Hampton1233USA Tony Turco1BRA Leonardo MaiaRacecar Leo Maia Signs Menards Infiniti Pro Series Deal with Brian Stewart https://www.racecar.com/News/5506/motorsport/leo-maia-signs-menards-infiniti-pro-series-deal-with-brian-stewart-racing/ 2023-10-03 www.racecar.com en2–12Roth RacingJanuary 9, 2004 Roth Racing Prepares to Roll in 2004 http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2204 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20040206064247/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2204 February 6, 2004 October 3, 2004 indyracing.com4CAN Marty Roth1–3Sam Schmidt Motorsports5NED Arie Luyendyk Jr.2004-02-10 Luyendyk Jr joins Schmidt for IPS. https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/19587/1/luyendyk-jr-joins-schmidt-for-ips 2023-10-03 Crash en1–7USA Travis GreggAugust 11, 2004 Sprint Car Veteran Gregg Makes Series Debut http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3369 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20040827041626/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3369 August 27, 2004 October 3, 2023 indyracing.com 8, 10, 12JPN Shinji KashimaOctober 1, 2004 Daily Trackside Report - California Speedway http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3606 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20041216065243/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3606 December 16, 2004 October 3, 2023 1111BRA Thiago MedeirosJanuary 8, 2004 Medeiros to drive for Sam Schmidt Motorsports http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2200 https://web.archive.org/web/20040206063900/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2200 February 6, 2004 October 3, 2023 live All64USA Brad PollardXbox Indy Car Gets A Driver - XboxAddict News https://xboxaddict.com/news/4937/Xbox-Indy-Car-Gets-A-Driver.html 2023-10-03 xboxaddict.com en4–6USA Scott MayerSeptember 10, 2004 Daily Trackside Report - Chicagoland Speedway http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3525 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20041029045058/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3525 October 29, 2004 October 3, 2023 indyracing.com10, 12USA P. J. Abbott11Racing ProfessionalsOctober 15, 2004 Teenager Partners With Herb For Race Entry http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3670 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20041211200048/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3670 December 11, 2004 October 3, 2023 indyracing.com6USA Jon Herb3, 11–12Roquin Motorsports9USA Matt Beardsley910MEX Rolando QuintanillaFebruary 28, 2004 Roquins Keep It All In The Family http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2352 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20040627013632/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2352 June 27, 2004 October 3, 2023 indyracing.com 1–5, 7–12Beardsley Motorsports12USA Matt BeardsleyFebruary 24, 2004 Beardsley Aims For Consistency In Races http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2329 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20040315213402/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2329 March 15, 2004 October 3, 2023 indyracing.com1–3A. J. Foyt Enterprises14USA Jeff Simmons2004-05-06 Foyt hires Simmons to run in Indy Infiniti race https://www.espn.co.uk/racing/news/story?id=1796744 2023-10-03 ESPN.com en3Bullet-Team MotorsportsMay 16, 2004 Fletcher Joins Field For Futaba Freedom 100 http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2756 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20041216070207/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2756 December 16, 2004 October 3, 2023 indyracing.com21USA Taylor Fletcher3, 10–11Kenn Hardley Racing24USA Brad PollardJanuary 26, 2004 Pollard Will Join Series Full Time http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2240 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20041211201605/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2240 December 11, 2004 October 3, 2023 indyracing.com1–3USA Jeff SimmonsSeptember 29, 2004 IPS News and notes: Simmons to Finish Season with Kenn Hardley Racing https://us.motorsport.com/indylights/news/ips-news-and-notes-2004-09-29/2047392/ 2023-10-03 us.motorsport.com en9–12USA Billy RoeMarch 19, 2004 Teammates Medeiros, Luyendyk Will Start 1-2 http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2450 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20041211195947/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2450 December 11, 2004 October 3, 2023 indyracing.com4–8422–3AFS Racing25USA Jay DrakeApril 23, 2004 Drake Relishes His Laps On Historic Oval http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2607 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20040820215841/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2607 August 20, 2004 October 3, 2023 indyracing.com3NED Arie Luyendyk Jr.August 11, 2004 Luyendyk Makes Move To AFS Racing http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3372 https://web.archive.org/web/20041211200029/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3372 December 11, 2004 October 3, 2023 indyracing.com10–12278–9USA Gary Peterson2004-12-11 Peterson's Passion Continues To Grow http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2408 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20041211195806/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=2408 December 11, 2004 October 3, 2023 indyracing.com2–3, 7, 10–12Mo Nunn Racing2004-06-17 IPS: Mo Nunn Racing enters series https://us.motorsport.com/indylights/news/ips-mo-nunn-racing-enters-series/2036954/ 2023-10-03 us.motorsport.com en67USA James Chesson2004-08-18 Nunn doubles up in IPS https://www.autosport.com/general/news/nunn-doubles-up-in-ips-5006133/5006133/ 2023-10-03 www.autosport.com en10–1276USA P. J. Chesson4–12Hemelgarn 91/Johnson Motorsports91USA Paul DanaDecember 18, 2003 IRL news - Dana signs with Hemelgarn for IPS. http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=12&nid=82855 https://web.archive.org/web/20040113151547/http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=12&nid=82855 January 13, 2004 October 3, 2023 crash.netAll92USA Cory Witherill2004-05-20 IPS: Indianapolis: Cory Witherill to race in Freedom 100 https://us.motorsport.com/indylights/news/ips-indianapolis-cory-witherill-to-race-in-freedom-100/2034206/ 2023-10-03 us.motorsport.com enSeptember 7, 2004 Fast Facts - Chicagoland 100 http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3500 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20041216064603/http://www.indyracing.com/pro/news/story.php?story_id=3500 December 16, 2004 October 3, 2003 indyracing.com3, 10 Schedule The schedule for 2004 stayed at 12 rounds with minor date changes over 2003. Mirroring the IRL IndyCar Series, the series left Gateway International Raceway and visited the storied Milwaukee Mile, who had featured in the last season of the original Indy Lights championship in 2001. This would be the last all-oval season for the series, as the IRL-managed championship would introduce road course racing from 2005 onwards. Rd.DateRace nameTrackLocation1February 29Homestead-Miami 100Homestead–Miami SpeedwayHomestead, Florida2March 20Phoenix 100Phoenix International RacewayAvondale, Arizona3May 22Futaba Freedom 100Indianapolis Motor SpeedwaySpeedway, Indiana4July 3Aventis Racing for Kids 100Kansas SpeedwayKansas City, Kansas5July 17Cleanevent 100Nashville SuperspeedwayLebanon, Tennessee6July 25Milwaukee 100Milwaukee MileWest Allis, Wisconsin7August 1Paramount Health Insurance 100Michigan International SpeedwayBrooklyn, Michigan8August 14Kentucky 100Kentucky SpeedwaySparta, Kentucky9August 22Pikes Peak 100Pikes Peak International RacewayFountain, Colorado10September 11Chicago 100Chicagoland SpeedwayJoliet, Illinois11October 2California 100California SpeedwayFontana, California12October 16Texas 100Texas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth, Texas Race results RoundRacePole positionFastest lapMost laps ledRace WinnerDriverTeam1Homestead–Miami SpeedwayUSA Phil GieblerBRA Thiago MedeirosBRA Thiago MedeirosUSA Phil GieblerKeith Duesenberg Racing2Phoenix International RacewayBRA Thiago MedeirosBRA Thiago MedeirosBRA Thiago MedeirosBRA Thiago MedeirosSam Schmidt Motorsports3Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayBRA Thiago MedeirosBRA Thiago MedeirosBRA Thiago MedeirosBRA Thiago MedeirosSam Schmidt Motorsports4Kansas SpeedwayBRA Thiago MedeirosQualifying for Kansas was cancelled due to rain. The grid was set by entrant points entering the race. Kansas QUSA Alfred UnserBRA Thiago MedeirosBRA Thiago MedeirosSam Schmidt Motorsports5Nashville SuperspeedwayBRA Thiago MedeirosUSA Paul DanaBRA Thiago MedeirosBRA Thiago MedeirosSam Schmidt Motorsports6Milwaukee MileBRA Thiago MedeirosBRA Thiago MedeirosBRA Thiago MedeirosUSA Paul DanaHemelgarn 91/Johnson Motorsports7Michigan International SpeedwayUSA Alfred UnserUSA Alfred UnserBRA Thiago MedeirosUSA P. J. ChessonMo Nunn Racing8Kentucky SpeedwayUSA Travis GreggUSA Phil GieblerUSA Travis GreggUSA P. J. ChessonMo Nunn Racing9Pikes Peak International RacewayUSA Jeff SimmonsUSA Paul DanaUSA Paul DanaUSA P. J. ChessonMo Nunn Racing10Chicagoland SpeedwayBRA Thiago MedeirosUSA Travis GreggBRA Thiago MedeirosBRA Thiago MedeirosSam Schmidt Motorsports11California SpeedwayBRA Thiago MedeirosUSA James ChessonBRA Thiago MedeirosUSA James ChessonMo Nunn Racing12Texas Motor SpeedwayBRA Thiago MedeirosUSA P. J. ChessonBRA Thiago MedeirosBRA Thiago MedeirosSam Schmidt Motorsports Championship standings Drivers' Championship Scoring system Position 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  6th  7th  8th  9th  10th  11th  12th  13th  14th  15th  16th  17th  18th  19th Points50403532302826242220191817161514131211 The driver who leads the most laps in a race is awarded two additional points. PosDriverHOMPHXINDYKANNSHMILMISKENPIKCHIFONTXSPoints1BRA Thiago Medeiros2*1*1*1*11*6*2*631*9*1*5132USA Paul Dana8510221422*812113793NED Arie Luyendyk Jr.923711984541443304USA P. J. Chesson yellow RY darkgray 86211152531725 point deduction at Texas for causing a debris situation that produced a crash. Texas Chesson5BRA Leonardo Maia orange R darkgray361010773774122926CAN Jesse Mason orange R darkgray341563468492837MEX Rolando Quintanilla6614491171110582648USA Alfred Unser orange R darkgray 3533116332529USA Phil Giebler orange R darkgray175 5108321510USA Billy Roe99948109 16411USA Brad Pollard orange R darkgray51111585 15212USA Jeff Simmons 2 9210615013USA Gary Peterson12139 1481511214USA James Chesson orange R darkgray61139515USA Travis Gregg orange R darkgray 5* 1328916USA Matt Beardsley1088 10 8817CAN Marty Roth71016117918USA Jon Herb orange R darkgray 17676719USA Taylor Fletcher orange R darkgray1211155220USA P. J. Abbott orange R darkgray 794821USA Cory Witherill7154122USA Scott Mayer orange R darkgray12103823USA Tony Turco43224USA Jay Drake orange R darkgray43225USA Ross Fonferko orange R darkgray72626JPN Shinji Kashima orange R darkgray131727USA Ryan Hampton1416PosDriverHOMPHXINDYKANNSHMILMISKENPIKCHIFONTXSPointsColorResultGoldWinnerSilver2nd placeBronze3rd placeGreen4th & 5th placeLight Blue6th–10th placeDark BlueFinished (Outside Top 10)PurpleDid not finishRedDid not qualify (DNQ)BrownWithdrawn (Wth)BlackDisqualified (DSQ)WhiteDid not start (DNS)BlankDid not participate (DNP)Not competing In-line notationBoldPole positionItalicsRan fastest race lap*Led most race laps (2 points)1Qualifying cancelled Ties in points broken by number of wins, or best finishes. Footnotes N References Category:Indy Lights seasons Indy Pro Series Infiniti Pro Series