2003 Infiniti Pro Series

February 2025 Infiniti Pro Series IRL Infiniti Pro Series 2003 12 March 2 October 11 GBR Mark Taylor Panther Racing 2002 2004 The 2003 IRL Infiniti Pro Series was the second season of the series under the Indy Racing League ownership, and the 18th in Indy NXT combined history, as officially recognized by IndyCar. All teams used Dallara IL-02 chassis and Infiniti engines. British rookie Mark Taylor won the series with a total of 7 wins in 12 races, driving for a newly formed program by IndyCar team Panther Racing, who then signed him to drive for the team's main programme in 2004. Taylor's last win at Fontana crowned him as the champion with one race to spare over Indy Lights returnee Jeff Simmons, who won two races at Gateway and Kentucky for another new team, Keith Duesenberg Racing. The season was notable for the first running of the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, this being the first time that a support race was included in the Indianapolis 500 program. Ed Carpenter, driving for reining champions A. J. Foyt Enterprises, won the race over Cory Witherill from pole position, his lone win of the year in route to a 3rd place finish in the standings. Thiago Medeiros won the final race at Texas and finished a mere six points behind Carpenter. Aaron Fike was also a winner at Pikes Peak, but he missed the Phoenix race early in the season for a DUI offence and didn't score another podium during the year, losing fifth place in the points to Witherill. Fike still finished ahead of 2002 runner-up Arie Luyendyk Jr., who missed out again on race wins with a best finish of third, and would not win a race in the series until 2008. Among former IndyCar competitors Witherill and Brandon Erwin competed full-time in the series, while Billy Roe, Scott Harrington and Ronnie Johncox also took part in the Freedom 100, and Dave Steele in the Nashville race. As well as Panther and Duesenberg, Kenn Hardley Racing also joined the field. Luyendyk Racing left the series after the 2002 season, while Roquin Motorsports and Bowes Seal Fast Racing only contested a handful of races and REV1 Racing withdrew after the Freedom 100. The series had at least 13 drivers at each round, with 19 competitors at the Freedom 100 and 17 at the season finale in Texas. However, only seven drivers competed in every race, with three more contesting all but one race.2003 IRL Infiniti Pro Series https://web.archive.org/web/20171213203012/http://www.champcarstats.com/ips/year/2003.htm 2017-12-13, Champ Car Stats, Retrieved 2018-10-30 Team and driver chart Team No. Car number Drivers RoundsBrian Stewart Racing3CAN Marty Roth 1–2, 10–12CAN Jonathan Urlinhttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/17005/1/f2000-veteran-urlin-to-compete-in-ips F2000 veteran Urlin to compete in IPS Crash.net January 17, 2003 April 3, 2020 June 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220628022311/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/17005/1/f2000-veteran-urlin-to-compete-in-ips live 3–733 1–2USA Craig Dollanskyhttps://au.motorsport.com/indylights/news/ips-woo-standout-dollansky-to-debut-at-indy/2005666/ IPS: WOO standout Dollansky to debut at Indy Motorsport.com May 14, 2003 February 2, 2026 February 2, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20260202132328/https://au.motorsport.com/indylights/news/ips-woo-standout-dollansky-to-debut-at-indy/2005666/ live 3USA Dave Steele 6CAN Marty Roth 7USA Paul Dana 8–11USA Tony Turco 12Panther Racinghttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/16304/1/panther-signs-brit-taylor-for-ips Panther signs Brit Taylor for IPS Crash.net September 9, 2002 April 3, 2020 October 4, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231004215704/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/16304/1/panther-signs-brit-taylor-for-ips live 4GBR Mark Taylor All 41USA Dane Carterhttps://www.newspapers.com/newspage/127298452/ IRL Notebook The Indianapolis Star September 7, 2003 April 3, 2020 October 4, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231004221713/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/127298452/ live 12 Sinden Racing Service 5NED Arie Luyendyk Jr.https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2093296/luyendyk-jr-drive-sinden-infiniti-pro-series/ Luyendyk Jr. to drive for Sinden in Infiniti Pro Series Autoweek.com January 2, 2003 April 3, 2020 January 28, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210128045613/https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2093296/luyendyk-jr-drive-sinden-infiniti-pro-series/ live AllSam Schmidt Motorsports 6USA Lloyd Mackhttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/17273/1/mack-completes-schmidt-ips-lineup Mack completes Schmidt IPS lineup Crash.net February 24, 2003 April 3, 2020 October 4, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231004215701/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/17273/1/mack-completes-schmidt-ips-lineup live 1ITA Marco Ciocihttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/17662/1/cioci-to-drive-third-schmidt-car-in-freedom-100 Cioci to drive third Schmidt car in Freedom 100 Crash.net April 18, 2003 April 3, 2020 October 4, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231004215709/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/17662/1/cioci-to-drive-third-schmidt-car-in-freedom-100 live 3USA Ross Fonferkohttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/18527/1/schmidt-files-third-entry-for-nashville-ips-race Schmidt files third entry for Nashville IPS race Crash.net July 18, 2003 April 3, 2020 October 4, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231004215706/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/18527/1/schmidt-files-third-entry-for-nashville-ips-race live 6–7 9CAN Tom Woodhttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/16995/1/tom-wood-to-complete-full-ips-season-with-schmidt Mack completes Schmidt IPS lineup Crash.net February 24, 2003 April 3, 2020 May 19, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220519191143/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/16995/1/tom-wood-to-complete-full-ips-season-with-schmidt live 1–9USA Taylor FletcherSeptember 3, 2003 IPS: IRL: Indy Racing League notebook 2003-09-03 https://www.au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/ips-irl-indy-racing-league-notebook-2003-09-03/135848/ Motorsport.comhttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/19014/1/fletcher-to-complete-pro-series-year-with-schmidt Fletcher to complete Pro Series year with Schmidt Crash.net September 12, 2003 April 3, 2020 January 27, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210127202051/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/19014/1/fletcher-to-complete-pro-series-year-with-schmidt live 10–12 99USA Brandon Erwinhttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/17271/1/erwin-gets-nod-for-schmidt-ips-team Erwin gets nod for Schmidt IPS team Crash.net February 25, 2003 April 3, 2020 June 27, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220627213148/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/17271/1/erwin-gets-nod-for-schmidt-ips-team live 1–9ITA Marco Cioci 10USA Brad Pollardhttps://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/ips-irl-indy-racing-league-notebook-2003-09-18/137301/ IndyCar Series heads to California; Texas adds drivers for Heroes race Motorsport.com September 18, 2003February 2026 InternetArchiveBot 11–12 REV 1 Racing 8USA Ronnie Johncox 1–3 Roquin Motorsports11MEX Rolando Quintanilla 12Bowes Seal Fast Racing 3 37 USA Billy Roehttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/17929/1/former-irl-drivers-join-freedom-100-grid Former IRL drivers join Freedom 100 grid Crash.net May 16, 2003 April 3, 2020 August 20, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220820063112/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/17929/1/former-irl-drivers-join-freedom-100-grid live 3 Beardsley Motorsports 12USA Matt Beardsleyhttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/17148/1/beardsley-returning-to-ips-in-2003 Beardsley returning to IPS in 2003 Crash.net February 9, 2003 1–7, 11–12 A. J. Foyt Enterprises 14USA Ed Carpenterhttps://www.motorsport.com/indylights/news/ips-carpenter-moving-to-foyt-team-in-2003/113515/ Carpenter moving to Foyt team in 2003 Motorsport.com January 13, 2003February 2026 InternetArchiveBot All Keith Duesenberg Racinghttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/16984/1/western-union-duesenberg-brothers-join-ips Western Union, Duesenberg Brothers join IPS Crash.net February 10, 2003 April 3, 2020 October 4, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231004215705/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/16984/1/western-union-duesenberg-brothers-join-ips live 20USA Jeff SimmonsFebruary 28, 2003 Homestead: Erwin, Simmons to make debuts https://au.motorsport.com/indylights/news/ips-homestead-erwin-simmons-to-make-debuts/1998369/ Motorsport.com AllKenn Hardley Racinghttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/16860/1/ex-irl-star-plays-role-with-new-ips-team Ex-IRL star plays role with new IPS team Crash.net December 4, 2002 April 3, 2020 October 4, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231004215709/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/16860/1/ex-irl-star-plays-role-with-new-ips-team live24USA Paul Danahttps://www.autoweek.com/news/a2093796/dana-drive-irl-infiniti-pro-series/ Dana to drive in IRL Infiniti Pro Series Autoweek.com January 28, 2003 April 3, 2020 April 19, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210419093417/https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2093796/dana-drive-irl-infiniti-pro-series/ live 1–7USA Moses Smithhttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/18694/1/moses-smith-enters-gateway-to-ips Moses Smith enters Gateway to IPS Crash.net August 6, 2003 April 3, 2020 October 4, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231004215713/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/18694/1/moses-smith-enters-gateway-to-ips live 8USA Billy Roehttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/18819/1/irl-veteran-roe-to-complete-pro-series-season IRL veteran Roe to complete Pro Series season Crash.net August 6, 2003 April 3, 2020 October 4, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231004215711/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/18819/1/irl-veteran-roe-to-complete-pro-series-season live 9–12AFS Racing25USA Scott Harrington 3USA G. J. MennenJuly 2, 2003 Kansas: Indy Racing League notebook https://au.motorsport.com/indycar/news/ips-irl-kansas-indy-racing-league-notebook-2003-07-02/2011413/ Motorsport.com 5, 7–12 27USA Gary Peterson 1–5, 7–12 Genoa Racing 36BRA Thiago Medeiroshttps://www.autoweek.com/news/a2094301/thiago-medeiros-joins-genoa-racing-infiniti-pro-series/ Thiago Medeiros joins Genoa Racing in Infiniti Pro Series Autoweek.com February 4, 2003 April 3, 2020 August 3, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200803124934/https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2094301/thiago-medeiros-joins-genoa-racing-infiniti-pro-series/ live All Hemelgarn 91/Johnson Motorsports 91 USA Aaron Fikehttps://www.crash.net/indycar/news/16952/1/witherill-and-fike-to-stay-put-in-2003 Witherill and Fike to stay put in 2003 Crash.net December 31, 2002 April 3, 2020 October 4, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231004215707/https://www.crash.net/indycar/news/16952/1/witherill-and-fike-to-stay-put-in-2003 live 1, 3–12 USA Tony AveBrack starts strong in bid to bounce back https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-indycar-series-and/133218379/ The Indianapolis Star 45 Newspapers.com March 22, 2003 October 10, 2023 January 20, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250120142708/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-indycar-series-and/133218379/ live 2 92 USA Cory Witherill All Schedule All seven rounds contested in the 2002 season were retained in the schedule, which now supported the IRL IndyCar Series from the beginning of the season and was expanded to 12 races, all held on ovals. For the first time, a racing series would hold a race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a support event for the Indianapolis 500 with the first running of the Freedom 100, followed by the series' first visit to Pikes Peak. New rounds were also added at former Indy Lights venues like Homestead (last featured in 1999), Phoenix (absent since 1995) and Fontana, which hosted the last race of the original Indy Lights series in 2001. Rd.DateRace nameTrackLocation1March 2Western Union 100Homestead–Miami SpeedwayHomestead, Florida2March 22Phoenix 100Phoenix International RacewayAvondale, Arizona3May 18Freedom 100Indianapolis Motor SpeedwaySpeedway, Indiana4June 14Pikes Peak 100Pikes Peak International RacewayFountain, Colorado5July 6Aventis Racing for Kids 100Kansas SpeedwayKansas City, Kansas6July 18Cleanevent 100Nashville SuperspeedwayLebanon, Tennessee7July 27Michigan 100Michigan International SpeedwayBrooklyn, Michigan8August 9St. Louis 100Gateway International RacewayMadison, Illinois9August 16Kentucky 100Kentucky SpeedwaySparta, Kentucky10September 6Chicago 100Chicagoland SpeedwayJoliet, Illinois11September 20California 100California SpeedwayFontana, California12October 11dreamerscandles.com 100Texas Motor SpeedwayFort Worth, Texas Race results RoundRacePole positionFastest lapMost laps ledRace WinnerDriverTeam1Homestead–Miami SpeedwayBRA Thiago MedeirosGBR Mark TaylorGBR Mark TaylorGBR Mark TaylorPanther Racing2Phoenix International RacewayGBR Mark TaylorGBR Mark TaylorGBR Mark TaylorGBR Mark TaylorPanther Racing3Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayUSA Ed CarpenterUSA Ed CarpenterUSA Ed CarpenterUSA Ed CarpenterA. J. Foyt Enterprises4Pikes Peak International RacewayUSA Jeff SimmonsUSA Cory WitherillUSA Aaron FikeUSA Aaron FikeHemelgarn 91/Johnson Motorsports5Kansas SpeedwayUSA Ed CarpenterUSA Aaron FikeUSA Ed CarpenterGBR Mark TaylorPanther Racing6Nashville SuperspeedwayGBR Mark TaylorUSA Brandon ErwinGBR Mark TaylorGBR Mark TaylorPanther Racing7Michigan International SpeedwayNED Arie Luyendyk Jr.USA Matt BeardsleyGBR Mark TaylorGBR Mark TaylorPanther Racing8Gateway International RacewayUSA Brandon ErwinGBR Mark TaylorGBR Mark TaylorUSA Jeff SimmonsKeith Duesenberg Racing9Kentucky SpeedwayUSA Jeff SimmonsUSA Ed CarpenterUSA Jeff SimmonsUSA Jeff SimmonsKeith Duesenberg Racing10Chicagoland SpeedwayUSA Ed CarpenterUSA G. J. MennenUSA Ed CarpenterGBR Mark TaylorPanther Racing11California SpeedwayGBR Mark TaylorUSA Ed CarpenterGBR Mark TaylorGBR Mark TaylorPanther Racing12Texas Motor SpeedwayNED Arie Luyendyk Jr.CAN Marty RothNED Arie Luyendyk Jr.BRA Thiago MedeirosGenoa Racing 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. PosDriverHOMPHXINDYPIKKANNSHMISGATKENCHIFONTXSPoints1GBR Mark Taylor yellow RY darkgray1*1*3511*1*9*1311*144822USA Jeff Simmons14542144211*3824073USA Ed Carpenter15131*42*137452*243774BRA Thiago Medeiros orange R darkgray221967531139313715USA Cory Witherill1292125615226933366USA Aaron Fike861*4144665653287NED Arie Luyendyk Jr.410153129113441013*2998CAN Tom Wood61513103255102359USA Paul Dana orange R darkgray1367131371078131423410USA Gary Peterson11141681191278151021711USA Brandon Erwin orange R darkgray3411116101210921312USA Matt Beardsley781899816 71618413USA G. J. Mennen8881174717514CAN Jonathan Urlin orange R darkgray575710121416615CAN Marty Roth911610131212416USA Billy Roe1412115810717USA Ronnie Johncox101286218USA Ross Fonferko orange R darkgray3135219MEX Rolando Quintanilla1064820USA Taylor Fletcher orange R darkgray1412174721ITA Marco Cioci orange R darkgray9124022USA Tony Ave orange R darkgray33523USA Brad Pollard orange R darkgray11153424USA Dane Carter orange R darkgray92225USA Dave Steele orange R darkgray111926USA Tony Turco orange R darkgray111927USA Scott Harrington 121828USA Moses Smith orange R darkgray131729USA Lloyd Mack orange R darkgray161430USA Craig Dollansky orange R darkgray1713PosDriverHOMPHXINDYPIKKANNSHMISGATKENCHIFONTXSPointsColorResultGoldWinnerSilver2nd 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 point)1Qualifying cancelled no bonus point awarded Ties in points broken by number of wins, or best finishes. References Category:Indy Lights seasons Indy Pro Series Infiniti Pro