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PDM Racing Team Is Back At It
INDIANAPOLIS (October 22, 2009) - After a brief interlude, the guys at PDM Racing are back doing what they love most—going racing and working on racing cars.Following a promising start to 2009 in which the team scored victories in the opening two rounds of the Firestone Indy Lights Championship, the operation had to put its racing activities on hold after sponsorship money failed to materialize following the Liberty 100 in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
However, Team Owner Paul Diatlovich and Crew Chief Justin Herring are looking at a busy off-season as they work with a pair of young racers in two different series. Currently being worked on in the PDM Racing shop is the Dr. John Deuel-owned Silver Crown pavement car that will be driven by 16-year-old Coleman “The Iceman” Gulick, who currently resides in Binghampton, N.Y. Despite his age, Gulick comes highly recommended and finds himself paired with Diatlovich, who has had a successful history of working with young drivers.
“Coleman has been impressive in the various development series in which he has competed and you only have to look as far as Jeff Gordon to see that his age shouldn’t be a factor,” Diatlovich pointed out. “This team has a history of working with new talent and hopefully we can show everyone else in the racing community that this kid has what it takes.”
After sitting out most of the 2009 Indy Lights season, Diatlovich, Herring and highly regarded Race Engineer Tim Wardrop returned to do a handful of races with Brazil’s Rodrigo Barbosa. The current plan is to conduct a series of off-season tests designed to get Barbosa up to speed.
“After the start to the season we had, it’s been tough sitting on the sidelines and not only watching other people win, but simply watching other people race,” Diatlovich pointed out. “It’s great to be busy again. I can’t wait to go testing—for that matter, I can’t wait to go racing.”
PDM Racing Season Currently On Hold
INDIANAPOLIS (June 17, 2009) - After starting out its most promising season in its 14-year history, PDM Racing is currently on hold due to some unfortunate circumstances involving the sponsors of driver Junior Strous.
Strous captured the first two races of the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights series and was the championship leader through the first three races of the season. However, an 11th-place finish at the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway would prove to be the last race for the talented Dutch rookie and PDM Racing, which prepared his car.
In order to maintain a proper program that would allow Strous and the team to be competitive, funding was required for all expenses related to running a racing operation. Despite a contract promising to fund Strous in the No. 18 entry, the funding abruptly halted prior to the race at Indianapolis.
Team owner Paul Diatlovich had no choice but to halt operations.
“It’s very disappointing when you consider what we were able to do in a very short period of time in putting this program together with Junior and his sponsors.” Diatlovich explained. “They made a contractual commitment to fund us and for reasons that have yet to be explained to me, the funding has been halted.
“We put together a good team and out results speak for themselves. We won the first two races and we led the championship. I don’t what we could have done to improve on that. But I can tell you that it requires money to go racing on any level and Indy Lights is no different in that respect. We feel we upheld our end of the deal by providing Junior with winning equipment and a winning team, but we can no longer operate without the support of the sponsors. Like I said, it’s very disappointing.”
Junior Survives to Finish 10th in Freedom 100
INDIANAPOLIS (May 22, 2009) - In a race similar to the one he ran in April at Kansas City, Junior Strous dodged debris, survived a flat tire and generally stayed out of trouble to finish in 10th position Friday in the Freedom 100, the fifth race of the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights series
The driver of the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Knaus/Winners Circle Group Dallara qualified 14th, and briefly dropped as low as 19th before slowly moving up in the standings. Strous took advantage of the mechanical problems encountered by series rivals Jonathan Summerton and James Hinchcliffe as well accidents that eliminated two sets of teammates before making a yellow-flag pit stop for a flat tire on Lap 29.
With new rear tires, Strous rejoined the race in 14th, the last car on the lead lap, and passed Brandon Wagner and Jesse Mason to move into 12th spot. An accident involving Mike Potekhen and Charlie Kimball gained him two more spots and he ran as high as ninth, only to lose a couple of positions on Lap 38. Strous managed to regain 10th position at the finish line, repassing Wagner right before the checker.
For the second straight oval-track race, Strous brought his car home in one piece on a day when several of his fellow competitors damaged their cars.
Strous’s strong finish allowed him to keep the leaders in sight where the championship is concerned. Strous is now fourth with 146 points, 12 behind series leader J.R. Hildebrand, who finished second Friday to Wade Cunningham.
“It was an excellent race—my first race at Indy—but a tough track,” Strous said after the race. “The car was acting funny and going all over the place. We had a flat tire, so we pitted on a yellow and changed the rear tires and gained positions after that. I kept out of trouble and finished 10th. We didn’t have the car to win, but we also ended up with no damage so it was a good day.”
Team Director Paul Diatlovich echoed his remarks.
“This is Junior’s second oval-track race and once again, he managed to bring the car home in one piece on a day when a lot of people tore up their cars,” Diatlovich said. “He didn’t have the best car today, but to his credit, he stayed out of trouble and scored the best result he could muster. We improved over our Kansas City result and now we head to Milwaukee where his on-track education will continue.”
The next race on the Firestone Indy Lights calendar will be Sunday, May 31, on the historic Milwaukee Mile at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wisconsin.
Junior to Start on Row 7 for Freedom 100
INDIANAPOLIS (May 21, 2009) -- Junior Strous will get his first Indianapolis Motor Speedway race experience Friday from the seventh row after qualifying in 14th position Thursday for the Freedom 100, the fifth race of the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights series...
Driving the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Knaus/Winners Circle Group Dallara, Strous toured the famed 2.5-mile oval at an average speed of 186.942 miles per hour for the two-lap run. Strous had his fastest lap first, turning in a speed of 187.438 mph (48.0159 seconds) and following with a lap at 186.449 mph (48.2700 seconds). It puts him in the middle of the 22-car starting grid.
With qualifying behind him, Strous focused on Friday’s race.
“We got behind because of the handling,” Strous said after his run. “This morning, we were really far off—the car was all over the place. We were struggling and we also had a clutch problem in the first practice session. The team got everything fixed.
“The car feels really good now, but we were a bit slow. We lost a lot of time setting the car up for qualifying. Now we’re looking forward to the race. It would be good to win this weekend, but it will be tough.”
Team Director Paul Diatlovich was philosophical.
“You always want to qualify up front in any race and this particular race has a history of cautions on the first lap,” Diatlovich explained. “So it’s important for Junior to get a clean start on the opening lap and then settle in and work on passing people. Like he said, we got behind for qualifying because of the problems in the morning. But we will give him a good car for the race.”
Friday’s race will be televised live on VERSUS beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Qualifying, Freedom 100 Next Up for Junior
INDIANAPOLIS (May 21, 2009) - It will be entirely different when Junior Strous goes out to practice and qualify Thursday for Friday’s Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the fifth race of the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights series.
For one thing, the driver of the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Knaus/Winners Circle Group Dallara can count on some previous experience at the famed Speedway, having logged five hours of practice on the 2.5-mile oval on May 4. Those were his first laps ever at Indianapolis, but it was under cooler weather conditions. Thursday’s practice and qualifying will be his competitive laps in 17 days and the forecast calls for much warmer temperatures. The change in weather shouldn’t matter much, but the lessons learned from earlier laps should help.
Out of 70 practice laps that day, Strous, a 23-year-old rookie from Wassenaar, The Netherlands, recorded a top lap of 189.576 miles per hour (47.4744 seconds), not all that far from the official Indy Lights track record of 189.870 mph set in 2005 by Jaime Camara. It is important to note that qualifying for oval races is based on the average speed of two laps.
With the most important race of the 2009 season a day away, Strous is focused on what he must do.
“When I ran here earlier in the month, Tim Wardrop (the engineer) and Paul Diatlovich (the team director) wanted me to learn this track and get comfortable,” Strous explained. “We ran 70 laps and wound up 10th fastest and it was a great experience. Today, we practice and then we qualify and that counts. I know my team has worked hard since we ran to give me a better car so I am really looking forward to driving here again and going fast.”
Diatlovich is confident his young driver will turn in another impressive performance.
“We’ve spent a lot of time in the past two and a half weeks working on the car and doing things that will make it faster,” Diatlovich explained. “It will be warmer than it was when he ran early in the month, but we will be able to make whatever adjustments necessary. We have a fast car and a fast driver. He’ll get the job done.”
The seventh annual Freedom 100 will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Friday and will be televised live on VERSUS network.
First Laps at Indy Leave Junior Raring to Race
INDIANAPOLIS (May 5, 2009) - He grew up hearing stories of Arie Luyendyk’s victories in the legendary Indianapolis 500 and during an open test Tuesday at the Indianapolis, Junior Strous got to run his first laps on the track where his fellow Dutchman scored his biggest victories.
The driver of the No. 18 Shell V-Power Dallara was one of 21 drivers in the Firestone Indy Lights series who took advantage of five hours of open testing on the famed 2.5-mile oval. He will get to race there on May 22 when the Speedway hosts the fifth round of the 2009 championship, the Freedom 100.
The 23-year-old rookie from Wassenaar, The Netherlands, ran scrubbed tires in his first few stints to get acclimated to the track and then ran his quickest laps in the heat of the afternoon to wind up 10th fastest overall. Strous recorded 70 laps with a top lap average speed of 189.576 miles per hour (47.4744 seconds). Fellow series rookie Sebastian Saavedra set the quick time of the day (47.0520 seconds) in the morning under cooler, more ideal conditions.
“I really, really enjoyed my first day at the Speedway,” Strous said afterward. “In the driver briefing, we got extensively warned by Brian Barnhart to respect the track. At first, it felt like a suspended track over the Grand Canyon without barriers or anything.
“We used the first stints to dial in the car with scrubbed tires and then took a lunch break and focused on running in the afternoon. Then we put on new tires and the car was really good. It was fast on its own and it was good in traffic. We ended up 10th and now we are going to rebuild the car and make it faster.”
Tuesday’s laps brought memories of Indy stories told to him by Jaap Luyendyk, Arie’s late father.
“When I got here and looked around and then started running, I could recall the things that Jaap had told me,” Strous explained. “I could see firsthand why those stories were so exciting and why this place is so special.”
Team Director Paul Diatlovich gave his young charge high marks for his initial Indy outing.
“Junior once again took a professional approach to learning to drive here,” Diatlovich explained. “He understood what Tim Wardrop (the team engineer) and I were telling him and did everything we asked. Tests don’t count for anything, but for a young driver trying to learn how to run on an oval, the time spent on the track is invaluable. He made good use of the time and overall it was a good test. We should be competitive when we come back in a couple of weeks.”
While the crew prepares his car for the Freedom 100, Strous will return to Holland to participate in a European GT race where he will drive for a Dutch Aston Martin team.
Test to Offer Junior First Laps at Indy Speedway
INDIANAPOLIS (May 4, 2009) - In February, promising Dutch driver Junior Strous got the visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time. On Tuesday, he will get an even closer look at the most famous track in auto racing.
As a participant in the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights championship, Strous was in Indianapolis more than two months ago to undergo the mandatory medical examination that is required for all drivers in the series that serves as a stepladder to the IndyCar Series. The driver of the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara also took the occasion to visit Indianapolis Speedway’s Hall of Fame Museum.
Although the 23-year-old rookie from Wassenaar, The Netherlands, has only competed in one oval-track race in his career, the Speedway is a very special place. After all, in 1990, Dutch driver Arie Luyendyk won the Indianapolis 500 at an average speed of 185.981 miles per hour, a record that still stands today.
For five hours on Tuesday, May 5, Strous and his fellow Indy Lights competitors will be allowed to test at the Speedway. Naturally, he is excited at the prospect of driving a high-speed racer on the track where his countryman distinguished himself 19 years ago.
“I can’t wait to drive at Indy,” said Strous, who celebrated his 23rd birthday last Tuesday at home after finishing a respectable 11th place at Kansas City the previous Sunday. “I had to go back to Holland to do some press work and I had a great birthday party with friends and family.
“I’ve always watched the Indy 500s live on TV, most of them from Holland. With the medical check at the beginning of the season, it was the first time I was in the facility and I was impressed by the size.
“Arie’s father, Jaap, helped me at the beginning of my career in Formula Ford with tips and tricks on how to shift, learn driving lines and rebuild my gearboxes. He told me a lot of stories about Arie and the Speedway. The stories were great and since then, it’s been my dream to race at the Brickyard.”
Team Director Paul Diatlovich understands that dream.
“I’ve been coming here since the late 1970s and it’s still a very special place,” Diatlovich. “Even though he has never driven here, he already has an understanding of how special it is to run here. Having put a lot of miles under his belt on ovals through testing and racing, he also understands what he needs to do when he comes here. This should be a good preparation for the race.”
Following Tuesday’s test, Strous will take another step to realizing his dream by running in the May 22 Firestone Freedom 100, the fifth round of the series.
Junior Avoids Trouble to Post 11th-place Finish
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (April 26, 2009) - He dodged spinning race cars and debris and did a fantastic job of saving his car in a spin and a result, Junior Strous scored a respectable 11th-place finish in the Kansas Lottery 100 at a windswept Kansas Speedway Sunday, the fourth round of the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights championship.
Starting in 17th position, the driver of the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara drove a steady race while a number of his fellow competitors spun and crashed on the extremely windy 1.5-mile tri-oval. Strous had a “moment” of his own when the car got sideways heading into Turn 4 on Lap 57 of the 67-lap race. The 22-year-old Dutch driver gathered it up and maintained his position, but the final caution of the day came out shortly afterward, moving him up two more positions where he would remain until the checker.
Fellow series rookie Sebastian Saavedra won the race while Jonathan Summerton placed seventh the move into the points lead. He now leads Strous by four points, 130-126.
“It the wildest racing experience of my life,” Strous said. “Cars crashed in front of me, cars crashed behind me—they crashed all around me. My helmet was hit by debris, but fortunately, I was able to get through unscathed. I really had no idea what it would be like because it was so windy.
“Ten laps from the end, a gust of wind caught me in Turn 4 and I spun, and luckily no one hit me. But I flat-spotted the tires so if the race had not finished under the yellow, I would have had a problem. Unfortunately, we lost the lead in the championship, but we will work on the car for Indianapolis and hopefully we will get the lead back.”
Team Director Paul Diatlovich was satisfied with his driver’s performance.
“The conditions were terrible, thanks to the wind,” Diatlovich pointed out. “A lot of people tore up some equipment today, but Junior used his head and stayed out of trouble. Then he demonstrated his car control ability by saving the car in that spin. He scored some points and even though we are not leading the championship, we’re right up there.”
The next race for Strous will be the Firestone Freedom 100, set for Friday, May 22nd, on the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race will be Round 5.
Junior to Start 17th in First Oval-Track Race
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (April 25, 2009) - After qualifying in 17th starting position Saturday, the on-track learning process of Junior Strous will continue Sunday when he competes in the Kansas Lottery 100 at Kansas Speedway, the fifth round of the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights championship and his first-ever race on an oval track.
The driver of the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara averaged 184.526 miles per hour around the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway track on his two-lap qualifying run. His combined time for two laps was 59.3087 seconds (29.668 seconds on the first and 29.6459 seconds on the second lap). To put it in perspective, he was a half-second a lap off the quick time of polesitter Wade Cunningham, the 2005 champion of this series.
Because Cunningham was awarded the bonus point for winning the pole position, Strous still maintains a three-point lead in the championship over Jonathan Summerton, 107-104.
For Strous, not only is it his first oval-track race, Saturday’s qualifying run was his introduction to the American-style, oval-track qualifying format. Unlike road and street circuits where several cars run together and the best recorded lap is the qualifying lap, oval-track qualifying involves having one car on the track at a time and in Indy Lights, two laps are recorded with the times combined and the speed the average of the two laps.
“For a first time qualifying on an oval, it was quite an experience for me,” Strous explained. “I didn’t know what to expect and thought it would be easier. But when I was leaving the pits, the car got a little sideways and that got my heart rate going. I wanted to keep it flat out and keep a tight line. We were the fifth car to go out and it seemed like the track got quicker with each car.
“I know my car will be good in the race. It feels great in traffic, running with other cars and that’s important. My engineer, Tim Wardrop, tells me it will be totally different from qualifying so I’m looking forward to the race.”
Team Director Paul Diatlovich was philosophical about the starting position.
“Would it be nice if we were on the front row—of course it would,” Diatlovich said. “But we’re starting 17th so we’ll make the best of the situation. In testing, Junior learned how much a car can change in 100 miles and that knowledge will serve him well in an actual race situation. He has an intelligent approach to his racing and I am confident that he will give our team a good performance on the track.”
The next race on the Firestone Indy Lights calendar is easily the most important one of the 15 races in the series. On Friday, May 22, the Firestone Freedom 100 will be held on the famed 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the legendary Indianapolis 500.
Junior Eyes First Oval-Track Race at Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (April 24, 2009) - When Junior Strous took to the oval at Homestead-Miami Speedway in February for three days of running, it marked the first time he had ever raced a car on an oval track. He passed that test impressively and now faces an even bigger test with the first oval-track event on the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights calendar.
The driver of the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara has been the talk of the series after winning the opening two rounds and currently leads Jonathan Summerton in the point standings, 107-104. Those points came on street courses and task at hand is Sunday’s race on the Kansas Speedway 1.5-mile tri-oval.
The 22-year-old rookie from Wassenaar, The Netherlands, is ready—but also understandably excited about the prospect of racing on a high-speed oval track.
“I can’t wait for my first oval race,” Strous said. “I don’t know what to expect, but I feel confident going into the weekend. We had a good test at the Miami-Homestead Speedway and (Team Director) Paul Diatlovich and (Engineer) Tim Wardrop made me feel comfortable on the oval.
“I did a lot of research on oval-track strategy. I’ve been involved in this sport for 10 years and it is an odd experience to be doing something completely new.”
Diatlovich, having witnessed his driver cruise through more than 700 trouble-free miles at Homestead, also feels confident that Strous will perform up to expectations this weekend.
“Junior is very smart, has good car control and obviously is a very fast, talented young driver,” Diatlovich pointed out. “Those are the qualities you want your driver to have regardless of which type of track he is racing on. He was very impressive in the Homestead test and obviously has been one of the most impressive drivers in this series. That’s why he’s leading the championship.
“We want to win this title, but to do so, you have to be good on all kinds of tracks. He’s shown everyone what he can do on a street course. Now it’s time to see how he transfers that ability to an oval.”
Saturday’s schedule calls for a 45-minute practice followed by an hour of practice (both in the morning) with the entry split into two groups in the latter session. Qualifying begins at 4:30 p.m. ET. The 67-lap, 100-mile will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Fire Sidelines Junior from Lights Race at Long Beach
LONG BEACH, Cal. (April 19, 2009) - After a glorious weekend in Florida where he scored back-to-back victories, Junior Strous had an early retirement in Sunday’s Firestone Indy Lights race here after an on-board fire eliminated him on the second lap.
Starting 12th in the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara, Strous maintained his position on the opening lap that saw the first three rows take off at the start and the remainder of the field take the green in single file. Strous completed Lap 1 in 12th position, but as he exited Turn 5, he slowed and quickly pulled to the inside of the track. Flames shot out of the engine cowling as a safety vehicle arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. Strous emerged unhurt, but was out of the race.
“I was on the second lap when the error lights started flashing,” Strous said. “The lights on the dash were flashing on and off so I knew something was wrong. Then the engine started to cut out. I looked out the back and saw the smoke and flames. I first thought it was coming out of the exhaust and maybe we had blown the engine. But I’m really not certain what caused the fire.”
Regardless of the reason, Strous was out of the race and credited with finishing 23rd out of 25 starters.
More importantly, the result cut Strous’s healthy lead in the championship point standing. Strous still leads with 107 points, but Jonathan Summerton now trails by only three with 104 points and Long Beach Race winner J.R. Hildebrand a close third with 100.
“After experiencing the highs of winning races in St. Pete, this is obviously a major disappointment,” Team Director Paul Diatlovich said while the race was still in progress. “The car is still out on the track and until we get it back to the transporter to inspect it, there is no way of knowing what exactly went caused the fire. Also, we won’t have any idea of the extent of the damage until we can see the car. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Strous will get his first opportunity to race on an oval as the Firestone Indy Lights series moves to the 1.5-mile track at Kansas Speedway for Round 4 on Sunday, April 26. In February testing at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Strous recorded his first-ever laps on an oval and in an Indy Lights car. He proved to be a quick study and posted very respectable lap times.
Junior to Start 12th in Long Beach Indy Lights Race
LONG BEACH, Cal. (April 18)--In spite of mechanical problems on Friday and a caution period that limited his laps in qualifying, Junior Strous managed to salvage the day by qualifying 12th for Sunday’s 45-lap at Long Beach, the third stop of the Firestone Indy Lights championship.
The series leader by virtue of back-to-back victories at St. Petersburg, Fla., Strous piloted the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Winners Circle Group Racing Dallara around the 11-turn, 1.968-mile circuit on the streets of Long Beach for a top time of 1:15.9313 (93.305 miles per hour). It was his best time of the weekend, but the aforementioned problems limited his track time and kept him from going quicker.
In the opening practice session on Friday, a brake problem resulted in a trip to the tire barrier. Damage was limited to the nose section and Strous was ready to go for the afternoon session. After posting the second best time, gearbox problems sidelined him the remainder of the session.
Strous had no mechanical problems on Saturday during qualifying, but a full-course yellow (for an emergency vehicle on the track) prevented him from getting his set of sticker tires up to speed. By virtue of being sixth fastest in his group, he will start in 12th place, on the outside of Row 6.
After front row starts at both St. Pete races, Strous was understandably disappointed.
“We have had a difficult weekend so far,” Strous said. “In both (practice) sessions, we experienced bad luck that restricted us to only 20 laps in what essentially is our only day of testing at a track like this. In qualifying, our strategy was thrown off by a medical emergency that left me only seven minutes on new tires. The new tires take a long time to get up to speed.
“We were gunning for the front row, but we’re P12 now. The good thing is that we have a good car for the race. I know the track and the passing strategies here. I’m looking forward to the race because anything is possible here.”
“On a street circuit, you always want to be on the front row or at least in one of the first two or three rows,” Team Director Paul Diatlovich added. “At least we know he knows how to pass people—he proved that in St. Pete. The yellow in qualifying cost us time and laps on a new set of tires. But like I’ve been saying all along, it’s the race that counts the most.”
NOTE: As a result of winning the Force for Earth Hard Charger Award for the second race at St. Pete, Strous will receive a check for $1,000 prior to the start of Sunday’s race in Long Beach.
Victories Make Junior the Man to Beat at Long Beach
LONG BEACH, Cal. (April 17)—It’s not often one can say that being a marked man is a good thing, but it certainly applies to Junior Strous for he clearly is the driver everyone will be looking to beat at Long Beach in this weekend’s third round of the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights championship.
The driver of the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Winners Circle Group Racing Dallara established himself as the man to beat after winning both races at St. Petersburg in convincing fashion. He now holds a 100-72 lead over Jonathan Summerton with Sunday’s race scheduled for 45 laps around the 11-turn, 1.968-mile circuit on the streets of Long Beach.
“Long Beach is my favorite race track,” said Strous, who finished 13th here in 2007 (despite breaking his wrist) and eighth here last year in Atlantics. “I love the setting and the atmosphere. It reminds me of Monaco in Europe. This will be my third year to drive here and I feel like I have unfinished business at this track.
“Long Beach is similar to St. Pete. I think we have all the changes to do well here again, but we need some luck. I feel great leading the championship in this great event and the mission is to score as many points possible to keep the lead in the championship. I’d also like to thank Nathan Jones and his crew (one of the race organizers) for his never-ending support to this legendary race and for welcoming the IndyCar Series.
Team Director Paul Diatlovich believes that Strous can continue his winnings way in California.
“What’s really encouraging is the fact that those wins at St. Pete weren’t flukes,” Diatlovich said. “He won those races. In each race, he got passed at the start, but did never got flustered. He was patient and then went out and passed the people he needed to pass to get the lead. We’ve certainly enjoyed being in the limelight the past few days. We want to stay on top.”
Strous and his fellow competitors will practice twice on Friday with qualifying set for Saturday morning and the race on Sunday.
‘King’ of the St. Pete Streets Visits the Queen
After Victorious Start, Junior Is Still in Fast Lane
INDIANAPOLIS (April 12, 2009) - As the saying goes, “there is no rest for the weary.” But after winning the opening two rounds of the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights championship, Dutch rookie Junior Strous really doesn’t mind the demanding schedule between races.
The driver of the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Knaus Dallara entered by Winners Circle Group Racing returned to his homeland after winning a pair of 40-lap Indy Lights races on the streets of St. Petersburg, FL. After a couple of days of well-earned rest, Strous flew to Holland on Wednesday and rarely slowed up after arriving on Dutch soil.
“I had a busy schedule,” Strous said, in a somewhat understated manner. “I had to coach the board of directors for the Dutch company, Ziggo Cable and Internet, at the Spa Francochamps track in Belgium. They were having a race incentive there. There were also TV meetings with SBS6, a Dutch channel that will now air all of the Indy Light races in Holland and also do background stories.”
After visiting with his sponsors--Shell in Holland and Knaus in Germany--Strous made several appearances at the Dutch National Auto Show with the Knaus Aston Martin GT4 racecar he will drive in the European Championship. In addition to the appearances and meetings, Strous also found time to work with another promising young Dutch driver.
“I am coaching Jeroen Slaghekke, who is only 15 years old,” Strous explained. “He will be competing the Suzuki Swift Cup series and won the pole for the Easter (weekend) race at Zandvoort. I was hoping to watch his race, but it is on Easter Monday and I will be traveling to Los Angeles, where I will compete in the next Indy Lights race.
“I had a busy and hectic time back home and drove about 2,000 kilometers in northern Europe. But the sponsors were really happy and it was nice to pay them a visit and show them the coolest trophies I have ever won in my life!”
Now, there is another trans-Atlantic flight back to the United States as Strous begins his preparation for the upcoming race in the streets of Long Beach, California.
“I will use the week before the race to prepare for the bumpy street race ahead,” Strous said. “I will do a lot of running on the beach. I know the track quite well, having raced there in Atlantics two years in a row. It’s my favorite racetrack, and I love the setting and the atmosphere.
“Winners Circle Group Racing is confident after two wins at St. Pete, but we’re not overconfident. We are working hard and the Indy Lights Series is the most competitive feeder series in the world with top drivers representing a number of countries.”
And after two sensational victories at St. Pete, it’s likely those drivers will have their eyes on the man who leads the point standings--Junior Strous.
Junior Sends Tulips from Amsterdam.
Happy Easter to all of my Race Fans!
Junior Makes It Two in a Row at St. Pete!
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (April 5, 2009) - For a second incredible day in a row, Junior Strous drove the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara to victory in the 40-lap Firestone Indy Lights race on the streets of St. Petersburg.
The 22-year-old rookie racer from Wassenaar, The Netherlands, took advantage of a situation and swept into the lead on Lap 32 and stayed there the rest of the way. Strous took the checkered flag .4482 seconds over polesitter Sebastian Saavedra. The victory gives Strous a 28-point lead over Jonathan Summerton (100-72) in the 2009 standings.
“This is just amazing,” said an elated Strous immediately following the race. “I have to thank the Winners Circle Group team for making this happen again. We’re a new team and this has given us confidence.”
Team Manager Paul Diatlovich was likewise elated at the repeat victory.
“Like I said Saturday, the sky’s the limit with this kid,” Diatlovich said. “He got passed for second place, but he never got flustered. Then he got that position back, hounded the leader and got the lead.”
The latter reference was Strous’s pass for the lead on Lap 33. When race leader Saavedra went a little wide exiting Turn 1, the rising Dutch star zipped past into first place. There he would stay.
At the drop of the green flag, J.R. Hildebrand got what seemed to be a better start and swept Strous for second place. Strous settled into third, but was elevated back to second when race officials determined he had jumped the start.
Strous stayed within a second of race leader Saavedra, but on Lap 14, Hildebrand got inside of Strous in Turn 1 to knock the Dutch driver to third. Twelve laps later, Strous made a nice inside move in Turn 1 to retake second place from Hildebrand.
The next race for Strous and the Shell V-Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara will be April 18 on the streets of Long Beach, California.
Junior Wins! Opens Season With St. Pete Victory
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (April 4, 2009) - Junior Strous got the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights season off to a good start on Saturday by driving the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Winners Circle Dallara to victory in the 40-lap race on the streets of St. Petersburg.
Strous, a 22-year-old rookie in the series from Wassenaar, The Netherlands, took the lead on Lap 23 and held the rest of way to become only the seventh driver in Indy Lights history to win his first race.
“This victory means so much since we are a new team--Winners Circle Group Racing,” Strous said after the race. “This team really needed a victory. We haven’t had a lot of laps in this car and the guys worked so hard for this to come together. I’d like to thank the crew and the sponsors for making this possible.”
Team Manager Paul Diatlovich was understandably happy to see his driver win.
“This kid is the answer to my prayers,” Diatlovich exclaimed. “Not since Sam Hornish Jr. drove for me have I had a driver come so far so fast. He’s got the talent. The sky’s the limit.”
Starting second, Strous lost a position to Sebastian Saavedra in the first turn of the race and dropped to fourth behind James Davison a short time later. But the talented newcomer did not let the setbacks fluster him and stayed glued to Davison’s gearbox for the next five laps. On Lap 6, their battle for third became a battle for second when Saveedra made an unscheduled pit stop.
Strous tucked behind Davison on Lap 14 and got past for second as the two cars exited Turn 1. At that point, pole winner J.R. Hildebrand was nearly three seconds in front until a full-course caution for debris allowed Strous to draw closer. On the Lap 23, Strous ducked to the inside of Turn 1, effectively blocking Hildebrand, who wisely let him pass.
“That pass was wild—we touched,” Strous said of his move for the lead. “I found I could not brake as well as the others, but I went for it. Kudos to J.R. who did some great driving to give space and not crash out.”
The young Dutch driver built the lead to two seconds, but now his closest pursuer was Jonathan Summerton, who had competed against him last year in Atlantics. With three laps to go, Summerton cut the gap to just under one second, but Strous maintained his composure and took the checker .72 seconds ahead of Summerton. Hildebrand wound up third.
Strous returns for Sunday’s 40-lap with a good chance to win again. In Saturday qualifying, he wound up on the front row after posting quick time in his group for the second straight day.
Junior Grabs Front Row Spot at St. Pete!
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (April 3, 2009) - After showing how fast he could drive in the rain, Junior Strous showed his fellow competitors his No. 18 Shell V-Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara is also fast on a dry racing track. Strous will start on the front row in Saturday’s 40-lap race that will open the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights championship
Driving the Winners Circle Group entry, Strous was fastest in the Friday qualifying session that was split into two groups. The fastest driver in the first group, J.R. Hildebrand, captured the pole position for the race.
Strous had a quick time of 1:18.8082, good for an average speed of 94.175 miles per hour around the 14-turn, 1.8-mile circuit that combines the streets of St. Petersburg and the runway of the Albert Whitted Airport. Under the new qualifying format for the series, Strous earned the other front row position by being fastest in the second group.
Naturally, the 22-year-old native of Wassenaar, The Netherlands, was delighted with the outcome.
“I was bummed out because it was raining this morning during practice and I knew it was going to be dry during qualifying,” Strous said. “In the rain, it went really well. Each time we ran, we were fastest so that gave me a lot of confidence.”
In the rain-swept morning practice, Strous wound up 14th fastest at 1:19.3500 (81.664 mph) because he did not run in the final eight minutes of the hour-long session. He jumped to the top of the chart on only his third lap and again set fastest time before pitting, logging a total of 13 laps for the session.
Qualifying was a different story with sunny, dry weather.
“I was up front right away and with three minutes to go, it was do or die,” Strous explained. “On the second to the last lap, I had a guy in front of me so I did a do-or-die move to pass him because I knew the last lap had to be perfect. The last lap felt really good. It’s good to be up front.”
Junior Knows It’s Time to Go Racing
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (April 2, 2009) - With several days of testing behind him, Junior Strous is ready to go racing in the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara.
Strous will pilot the Winners Circle Group entry in this weekend’s pair of races at St. Petersburg that open the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights championship season. A rookie, the 22-year-old native of Wassenaar, The Netherlands, is ready to apply what he has learned from the valuable miles of testing to practical experience of an actual race weekend.
Practice and qualifying are scheduled for Friday with 40-lap races set for Saturday and Sunday. St. Petersburg will be the only track to host back-to-back races this year.
“I’m looking forward to the first race weekend,” Strous said. “I can’t wait to start. The Winners Circle Group crew is the most motivated crew I have ever worked with and I feel we have ‘the magic’ in our team.”
Strous also likes the fact this race is on the14-turn, 1.8-mile circuit that combines the streets of St. Petersburg with the runway of the Albert Whitted Airport.
“I raced at St. Petersburg before,” said Strous, who at the age of 16 finished 11th in the 2003 St. Pete Formula Renault Fran-Am event. “Street circuits are my specialty. I like the Indy Lights car. It suits me better than the Atlantic.”
Team Manager Paul Diatlovich likes his young driver’s approach to the opening weekend.
“He feels good about himself and about this team,” Diatlovich explained. “He has a very professional approach to racing and that impresses all of the veterans on this team. He showed that in testing and I know he will show it in each race meeting. This team is behind him and we are as excited about the season as he is.”
Junior Has Successful Day of Testing at Sebring
SEBRING, Fla. (March 30, 2009) - After losing a day of testing to Sunday’s heavy rains, Junior Strous made up for it on Monday with a full day of running in the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara at Sebring International Raceway.
The 22-year-old native of Wassenaar, The Netherlands, was able to run an estimated 250 miles around the 1.7-mile Sebring short course. The laps were his first on a road circuit in an Indy Lights car. Last year, he tested at Sebring in an Atlantic.
“I had a great day,” Strous said. “It was my first day on a regular road course. The car really handled well from the first lap out. It took a little bit getting used to with a V-8 engine. I am more used to a V-6. The V-8 was more powerful than I thought and the whole car was different.
“But I found speed quickly. The basic setup wasn’t all that far off. We had consistent lap times and the car was easy to drive, which is important. At end of the day, the car handled well. I know we will have a good car for St. Pete and Long Beach.”
Team Manager Paul Diatlovich was also pleased with the day’s results.
“We ran a ton of miles and basically had a trouble-free day,” Diatlovich said. “Junior was happy with the car and the main purpose was to get him acclimated to this sort of car on a road course. We want to get him ready for the season so this was a productive day in that respect. Now we go racing.”
After Sunday’s rainout, Florida weather was once again a factor on Monday.
“It was really hot,” Strous explained. “I was happy I have kept myself in shape. Normally, test days are sort of training days for the driver. I am pleased that my workout and training sessions were effective.”
The Indy Lights season will open with a pair of races on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., this weekend. The first race is set for Saturday, April 4, with the second race on Sunday, April 5, before the season-opening Honda Grand Prix Indy Car event
Junior Ready for Final Pre-season Test at Sebring
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (March 28, 2009) - Junior Strous, the promising Dutch rookie who will compete in the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights championship, will make a return trip to Florida to prepare for a pair of venues on city streets that will open the 15-race series.
On Thursday, transporter driver Doug Wells will drive the team rig down to Sebring, Fla., home of the famous Sebring International Raceway where Strous will test the No. 18 Shell V-Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara. For the 22-year-old newcomer from Wassenaar, The Netherlands, the latest visit to the Sunshine State will represent his first opportunity to pilot an Indy Lights machine on a road course. Last month, Strous logged three days of testing on the 1.4-mile oval at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Plans call for Strous to test on Sebring’s 1.7-mile short circuit for two days.
This weekend’s test will also allow him to get ready for the first three races of the season—St. Pete on April 4-5 and Long Beach on April 19—all on temporary circuits incorporating city streets.
“We originally were going to participate in the Indy Lights open test at Barber Motorsports Park (March 21), but this way we will get an extra day of testing,” Team Manager Paul Diatlovich explained. “It will also help that the test is scheduled the test a few days away from the races in St. Pete. We’ll already be in Florida and have some extra time to get the car ready for the first practice session.”
Strous, who has considerable experience on road courses, is excited about the prospect of running on familiar territory.
“I’ve driven the long course and the short course at Sebring,” Strous said. “I won Formula Renault races on the long course in 2003 and we also tested with the Atlantics on the short course two years ago. It will be interesting to go back there and run a car with so much horsepower and bigger wings than the Atlantic car. It’s going to be good to get some mileage and test days before my first race at St. Pete. Sebring’s short track will also be good because it’s so bumpy. It should prepare us well for the races in St. Pete and Long Beach.”
Junior Gives Strong Performance at Homestead
Strous Completes Third of Three Days of Oval-Track Test
Homestead, FL. (February 24, 2009) - Junior Strous, who will be a rookie in the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights Championships, concluded his third day of running at the Homestead-Miami Speedway with the sixth quickest time of the day and nearly 170 laps of testing on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old newcomer from Wassenaar, The Netherlands, joined 16 other drivers in the final day of open testing at the 1.5-mile track. Driving the No. 18 Shell V - Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara prepared by PDM Racing, Strous had a top time of 28.6193 seconds, good for an average speed of 186.797 miles per hour. He was only a fraction off the time set by Britain’s Pippa Mann, who topped the charts with a lap of 28.4776 seconds (187.726 mph).
PDM Team Manager Paul Diatlovich was quick to praise his new driver.
“Junior is very good at listening and focusing on what you tell him,” Diatlovich said. “He learns quickly and does exactly what you tell him. The first two days were simply to get him comfortable in the car and let him learn what it was like to drive on an oval. He did that and today he showed his speed. He did an excellent job and I am very pleased with his progress.”
Strous was equally pleased with the three days of testing.
“Today we had a great day,” Strous said. “It started off bit tough because we had some engine and fuel pickup problems in morning session. Everyone set (her/his) fastest time then and we couldn’t with our problems, so we started off 11th overall in the afternoon session. I kept driving and driving in (the afternoon session) until we found the sweet spot on the car—the way I like it. The car was running free and I was only guy to improve on his morning time.
“We did a lot of running in traffic and the car was very good--I could overtake anybody. So I have a lot of confidence in the car. I’m very pleased with the team and with the progress. Now I can go back to Holland with a satisfied feeling. I can’t wait for test on road course in three weeks.”
That test will be March 21 at Barber Motorsport Park in Birmingham, Ala., where Indy Lights drivers and teams will utilize the 16-turn, 2.38-mile layout to prepare for street- and road-course events
Junior Gets Passing Grade in Homestead Test
Dutch Standout, Fellow Rookies Cleared to Run Ovals
Homestead, FL (February 23, 2009) - With the successful completion of his oval-track rookie test, Dutch hopeful Junior Strous cleared the all-important first hurdle by passing that test and will therefore be permitted to compete in the oval-track races that will make up nearly half of the 15-race Firestone Indy Lights Championship schedule in 2009.
Strous and 11 other newcomers were deemed to fit to run the ovals after a day of testing Monday under the watchful eyes of Tony Cotman, race director for Indy Lights, and Indy-car legend Rick Mears at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.
“All of the rookies ran very smoothly,” said Cotman in a report released by Indycar. “There are some excellent drivers in the group and others that can be as good with additional seat time, but overall it was a very successful test day. I look forward to seeing them in traffic tomorrow.”
Cotman was alluding to the combined test day Tuesday that will have veteran Indy Lights drivers running with the rookies for the first time. Twenty drivers are expected to run. The Tuesday session will conclude the open test at Homestead.
Strous, a 22-year-old resident of Wassenaar, The Netherlands, logged a total of 160 laps during a day of testing reserved for newcomers who will compete in this year’s Firestone Indy Lights Championship. Strous had a top lap of 24.7452 seconds for an average speed of 185.921 miles per hour around the 1.5-mile oval. Strous was less than a quarter of a second slower than the day’s top time of 28.4996 (187.592 mph) set by Britain’s Pippa Mann.
Monday marked only the second time Strous had run on oval. In a private test at Homestead on Friday, he ran 110 laps, his first ever.
“We had a very good day,” said Strous, who is driving the No. 18 Shell V - Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara prepared by PDM Racing. “I think we were seventh overall, but we really concentrated on running the car for extended periods. We actually ran a race simulation that is important since the races are usually an hour to an hour and 15 minutes long.
“We only used one set of tires whereas the people who went quicker all used more than one set. The car always feels better on new tires, but it changes as the tires wear and you find out how the car reacts as it changes. I’m much more comfortable in the car now. It definitely felt better than it did when I drove on Friday. I’m really looking forward to running tomorrow with all of the competitors running together. It will be a good experience.”
“I told Junior we were going to concentrate on long runs today so he could learn how the car changes as it would during a race,” explained Team Manager Paul Diatlovich. “Tomorrow (Tuesday), we’re going to let him use more sets of tires and show his speed. I’m very pleased with his progress.”
The next open test for Indy Lights drivers and teams is scheduled for March 21 at Barber Motorsport Park in Birmingham, Ala. The 16-turn, 2.38-mile layout will give everyone the opportunity to prepare for street- and road course events.
Junior Logs First Laps on Homestead Oval
Speed Impresses Dutch Rookie in First Lights Outing
Homestead, FL. (February 20, 2009) - The smile on his face probably said it all as Junior Strous got his introduction to the ultra-fast world of oval-track racing Friday at the Homestead-Miami Speedway
Strous, the 22-year-old rookie driver from Wassenaar, The Netherlands, logged a total of 110 laps during a day of private testing for newcomers who will compete in this year’s Firestone Indy Lights Championship.
His best time of the day in the No. 18 Shell V - Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara prepared by PDM Racing was 29.1 seconds around the 1.485-mile circuit. To put his performance in perspective, Andrew Prendeville had a quick time of 28.6 seconds in last year’s official practice at Homestead and pole position winner Raphael Matos had the fastest lap in qualifying at 28.4 seconds.
Team Manager Paul Diatlovich was understandably pleased with the day’s results.
“In the first session, we had him run laps to get him acclimated and then we made some adjustments and he got down into the low 29s (29-second bracket),” Diatlovich explained. “At that point, the fastest time of the day was 28.6, so we were less than a second off. However, today was not about setting times; it was about getting the driver comfortable and used to driving the car and the track.”
Strous had raced here previously, but that event employed the track’s infield road course. Friday was his first-ever opportunity to drive on a pure oval track.
“Today was great,” Strous exclaimed. “I’m amazed at the speed of the car. I just don’t know what to say! It’s amazing how fast they go through corners and for me, it’s been an alien and a strange experience.
“It took a little getting used to it, but eventually, we were able to run the track flat out. This was also the first time with Tim Wardrop (the engineer) so it was good to work with him. Every time I came out of the car, I had a big smile. Now I have some time to think about what we did so I can be ready to run next week.”
Strous and his fellow Indy Lights rookies will participate in an open test on Monday with the veteran drivers joining them on Tuesday.
Junior Arrives; Team Ready to go Testing
Dutch Driver Meets Crew, Does Final Fitting in No. 18
INDIANAPOLIS (February 17th, 2009) Junior Strous, the 22-year rookie who will compete in the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights Championship, paid a call to the PDM Racing shop Monday where final preparations are being made on the No. 18 Shell V - Power/Winners Circle Group he will pilot for the first time in upcoming testing at Miami-Homestead Speedway.
The native of Wassenaar, The Netherlands, met Chief Mechanic Justin Herring for the first time as Herring worked with his new driver, getting him comfortable in the Dallara with pedal settings and cockpit adjustments. Even though the two have never worked together before, Herring is eagerly anticipating the future tests and the season opener at St. Petersburg, Fla., on April 4.
“All I can say is the guy is fast,” Herring replied when asked his first impressions of Strous. “I think we’re going to have a good season.”
What more can anyone say?
“Since we are going to be testing for the first time this weekend and then spending an entire racing season together, it was good to have Junior come to the shop and meet everyone,” added Team Manager Paul Diatlovich. “Junior made a good impression on the crew and he will fit in fine with us.”
Strous was also pleased with the initial meeting.
“When I first walked in here, immediately I got a good feeling,” Strous said. “There is a lot of history and some great racers have walked out of here. Paul made me feel at home right away. It’s a relaxed atmosphere and that’s important. It makes everyone comfortable and because of that, everyone works together well. We got off to a good start. The guys give me a lot of confidence.”
Strous and the team will participate in private testing at Homestead, where he will get his first laps on an oval track. On April 23-24, he will join his fellow Indy Lights competitors for two days of open testing. As an experienced road racer, he is anticipating the challenge of an oval track.
“For a racer like me who has raced for 10 years, it’s difficult to do something completely new,” Strous said. “You always know what to expect, When you see a (road course) track, you pick up the do’s and don’ts immediately. With ovals, I have no clue. But I adapt quickly in new situations. I have a good crew they tell me that I will be fine.
PDM Team Eyes Warmer Weather For Testing
Junior Strous, PDM Racing Heading South for First Run
INDIANAPOLIS (February 6th, 2009) - With the Midwest slowing starting to thaw after an especially harsh winter, PDM Racing and its new driver, Dutch rookie Junior Strous, are
forward to warmer climes to open the test season for the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights Championship.
Strous, who is coming off a highly successful season in the Mazda Atlantic championship, will get his first laps in the white, orange and blue No. 18 Shell V- Power/Winners Circle Group Dallara in the first open test set for Indy Lights. That test is set for Feb. 23-24 on the 1.5-mile oval at Homestead-Miami Speedway. As a first-year driver in the series, Strous will be allowed to run with other rookie drivers on Feb. 23 with veteran drivers joining them on Feb. 24.
“This seems to have been a longer, more difficult winter than usual,” said PDM Racing Owner Paul Diatlovich. “The worst part about the off-season is the inactivity and the waiting. Once the countdown begins for the first testing trip of the year, I start to get pumped. I think I can safely speak for everyone connected to this operation—we’re ready to go.
“We’re also looking forward to getting better acquainted with our new driver. We’re very excited to have Junior move up the ladder with us after such a successful season in Atlantics last year. At PDM, we have a strong track record of working with newcomers and we have every reason to be optimistic about Junior and 2009.”
The 22-year-old native of Wassenaar, The Netherlands, wound up tied for fourth in the 2008 Atlantic series with a victory from the pole at Mont Tremblant and podium finishes at Laguna Seca and Trois-Rivieres. Prior to that, Strous was successful in Formula Renault.
Diatlovich will serve as team manager/crew chief with highly experienced engineer Tim Wardrop of Great Britain will handle the duties in that department. Chief mechanic Justin Herring and crewman Randy Swann will also return.
ASR-Nelan to Run Strous in PDM-Prepared Entry
Atlantic Standout from Holland to Contest Indy Lights Series
INDIANAPOLIS (January 15th, 2009) - The newly formed ASR-Nelan team and PDM Racing will join forces to contest the 2009 Firestone Indy Lights Championship with Dutch rookie Junior Strous, it was announced Thursday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The announcement finalizes PDM’s plans for 2009 following a rather eventful off-season that followed the 2008 campaign.
“With the current situation involving the economy and its effect on the sport of auto racing,
I found myself wondering where we would be in 2009,” said PDM President Paul Diatlovich.
“What we now have is a solid partnership with Rick Nelan and a driver who has already proven that he has what it takes to win in a major series.”
A native of Wassenaar, The Netherlands, the 22-year-old Strous is coming off a very successful 2008 season in which he finished fifth in the ultra-competitive Mazda Atlantic championship. Strous won from the pole at Mont Tremblant and scored podium finishes at Laguna Seca and Trois-Rivieres. Prior to that, Strous was successful in Formula Renault.
“I know that orange is the official racing color for Holland, and since it is also one of our team colors, I know Junior will feel right at home,” Diatlovich added. “PDM also has an extensive history in working with new drivers so I am confident he will be an asset to our program.”
Tim Wardrop will serve as the team’s engineer. A native of Great Britain, Wardrop handled the engineering duties for Arie Luyendyk when the Dutch driver captured his second Indianapolis 500 in 1997.
PDM and American Spirit Racing competed in the 2008 Firestone Indy Lights with Swiss rookie Cyndie Allemann. Allemann recorded four top-10 finishes to wind up 14th in the final point standings. At present time, she is still hoping to procure a sponsorship package that will enable her to return to the series. PDM also conducted serious discussions with Adam Andretti, the younger brother of Indycar veteran John Andretti.
