Pro Mazda champ Telitz joins Belardi for Indy Lights

Reigning Pro Mazda champion Aaron Telitz has taken his award of a free season in Indy Lights to Belardi Auto Racing. The Wisconsin native joins Brian Belardi's program, which won more races than any other Lights team in 2016 (six), and will carry Mazda branding and the company's familiar Soul Red paint scheme while driving the No. 9 entry.

"It's a total honor to represent Mazda in 2017," said Telitz, who previously won a Mazda Road to Indy scholarship to compete in USF2000. "I had the honor in 2014, and it's an incredible feeling."

Telitz says he and the team spent a considerable amount of time getting acclimated before agreeing to work together.

"John Brunner, the team's general manager, and Brian Belardi invited me to the IndyCar/Indy Lights race at Watkins Glen last fall before the Pro Mazda season ended," he added. "I had a head start in knowing the guys and seeing how the team works and knowing their cars are fast. They won that weekend and then again at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

"I just really enjoyed how the Belardi guys worked. They were really professional and Brian is from Wisconsin. It's great to have that home-state connection, as most of my personal supporters are from Wisconsin."

The three-car Belardi team will also feature 2016 championship runner-up Santiago Urrutia and former Andretti Autosport MRTI driver Shelby Blackstock.

"It's a huge advantage to have veteran drivers on your team in your first year," Telitz said. "You know when you're in the ballpark because those guys have a better idea of how the car should work and the changes that need to be made. We'll all learn as the season goes on, but to have them there to lead in the early stages is going to be a big advantage for me."