Dalton Kellett moves up with Andretti Autosport, becomes first confirmed Indy Lights entry

KELLETT CONFIRMED TO ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT 2016 INDY LIGHTS EFFORT 

INDIANAPOLIS (September 22, 2015) – Andretti Autosport announced today that Canadian driver Dalton Kellett will return to the team’s Mazda Road to Indy roster for the 2016 season. Kellett, who has completed two seasons in the Pro Mazda Championship, moves up the ladder to pilot the No. 28 K-Line Insulators USA machine in the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires program.

Dalton Kellett will make the jump to the Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tire series with Andretti Autosport in 2016 (photo courtesy of Andretti Autosport)
Dalton Kellett will make the jump to the Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tire series with Andretti Autosport in 2016 (photo courtesy of Andretti Autosport)

“I’m very excited to return with Andretti Autosport for the 2016 season in Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires,” said Kellett, a recent graduate from Engineering Physics at Queen’s University. “2015 marked my first year with the team in the Pro Mazda Championship, having the opportunity to grow that relationship in the upcoming season is an immense honor. I feel like over the last year we did a lot of good work with the Pro Mazda and I’m very excited to get to work with the IL-15 for its second season in competition.”

“Having recently graduated, this season will be the first year that I won’t have to go back to school, and I’m looking forward to having the entire off season to do lots of testing with the team and get fit for the season opener. I’m very happy to have K-Line Insulators back on the car and want to thank Andretti Autosport for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to a very successful season in Indy Lights.”

The Toronto native raced in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda for two years before spending two additional seasons at the Pro Mazda level. He competed in one Indy Lights event in 2013 on the streets of Baltimore. Prior to his involvement in the Mazda Road to Indy, Kellett competed in the Ontario Formula Ford Championship as well as multiple karting championships.

“We were first impressed with Dalton’s work ethic and consistency prior to him joining Andretti last season, and he hasn’t disappointed in his time here,” said JF Thormann, Chief Operating Officer, Andretti Autosport. “We’re really happy to be able to help further develop his career and are optimistic about the success he will help bring to our Indy Lights program.”

Indianapolis-based Andretti Autosport holds 76 wins (28 Indy Lights, 30 Pro Mazda, 18 USF2000) across the Mazda Road to Indy programs and has used INDYCAR’s ladder system to aid in the career development of more than 20 open-wheel drivers over the years. Further announcements regarding the team’s development roster for 2016 will be made in the coming weeks.

For more information, please visit AndrettiAutosport.com and keep up on all things Andretti via Twitter with @FollowAndretti.