INDY LIGHTS: Urrutia lands Schmidt seat

Last year's Pro Mazda champion Santi Urrutia will step up to Indy Lights this season with Schmidt Peterson Motorsport. The 19-year-old Uruguayan will drive the team's No. 55 entry.

"I am very honored to be able to drive for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports," Urrutia said. "The team has an amazing record in Indy Lights and I am going to make sure I add to its tally of wins and championships. I'm also very happy to work with an incredible group of guys and gals that I've already met during my tests with the team. Now that the business of contracts is done, St. Pete here we come."

Urrutia competed in various series in Europe before setting his sights on the Mazda Road to Inday. In 2015, Urrutia became the first driver in from his country to claim an international championship, scoring three wins and 10 podium finishes en route to the Pro Mazda championship and earning series Rookie of the Year honors.

Urrutia has spent the off-season testing with Schmidt, including at Homestead-Miami Speedway in January of this year. He is slated to test again with the team next week at Phoenix International Raceway before his first race in St. Petersburg.

"I'm very pleased to have Santiago joining the SPM team for 2016," team co-owner Sam Schmidt said. "He is clearly talented and deserving to have won the scholarship to advance to Indy Lights. What impressed me most are his focus, maturity and determination to be the very best. You can see it in his eyes and the way he approaches every aspect of the business. He is totally committed and will be competitive straight away."