Indy Lights: Brabham, Chilton, Harvey highlight St. Pete entry list

The new-look Indy Lights series presented by Cooper Tire will have at least 13 cars on the grid this weekend as teams press the Dallara IL15 chassis and 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder Mazda engine into service for the first and second rounds of the season.

Defending series champions Belardi Racing has two entries; Schmidt Peterson Motorsports with Curb Agajanian has four, 8Star Motorsports has one; Juncos Racing has two; Carlin Racing has two, and Andretti Autosport has two. Team Moore Racing, which has a chassis ready to go, could bump the grid to 14 cars if they secure a driver in the next few days

"I thought I had a deal done on Saturday with a driver from Europe who was supposed to be here today, but that didn't materialize, so we have a car ready to go for this weekend," said Mark Moore. "And we can also spend more time for drivers who might want to come in at the second race at Long Beach."

Of the 13 confirmed, 2014 standout and race winner Matthew Brabham is back with Andretti Autosport, and 2014 Marussia Formula 1 driver Max Chilton will help European powerhouse team Carlin Racing make its American debut alongside teammate Ed Jones. Jack Harvey, who came close to winning the 2014 Lights title in his first try with Schmidt Peterson, is back with the team and ranks among the leading title contenders.

2014 Pro Mazda champion Spencer Pigot will step up with Juncos Racing, and his main protagonist, Canada's Scott Hargrove, will do the same with 8Star Motorsports. 2014 USF2000 runner up RC Enerson has skipped past Pro Mazda in favor of Lights with Schmidt Peterson, and Shelby Blackstock is taking the leap from Pro Mazda as he continues his open-wheel education with Andretti.

Juan Piedrahita and Scott Anderson will trade their old Lights cars for Dallara-Mazdas as they add more seat time in the category, young American Ethan Ringel will have his best shot at making a statement in a Schmidt Peterson car, Kyle Kaiser's promising career will continue to develop at Juncos, and the impressive Felix Serralles must be considered a serious threat for wins and possibly a championship with Belardi.

St. Pete features a deep field of talent, and provided the series continues to attract interest once the first weekend of racing is completed, the car count should increase.​