African American-owned Race Team Breaking New Ground

Posted by Eric Ojo Latest Headlines, Sports News, U.S./Canada Saturday, July 30th, 2022

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Force Indy, a formidable African American-owned race team is demonstrably proving to be incredibly on a winning streak and breaking new ground.

During its inaugural season in the 2021 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship, Force Indy made history as the first African American-owned race team to win an INDYCAR-sanctioned race.

The race team which is created specifically to develop talent with a diverse group of individuals, outside as well as inside the cockpit, recently secured the 2022 Grand Prix Sponsor.

The foundation of Force Indy is the racing background of Team Principal, Rod Reid and a mentorship alliance with Team Penske, the most successful team in motorsports history. Moreover, the team leadership brings years of experience from grassroots racing to the Road to Indy ladder system.

The organization concentrates on developing skills that promote success at the highest level. Force Indy’s vision is to see motorsports grow ethnically, educationally, and across gender.

Notably, the team’s #99 was selected in honor of the roadster driven by the late Dewey “Rajo Jack” Gatson, who never received an opportunity to race in the Indianapolis 500.

Excited to be sponsored by Lear Corporation, sponsor of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, the Indianapolis-based team headed to Detroit to compete in this year’s Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires championship as Lear Corporation’s sponsored team. Haitian American Ernie Francis, Jr. drove the #99 Force Indy cars from May 12 – May 14th.

Early this year, Indianapolis African American business leader and Force Indy co-owner Rod Reid announced the team’s ascension to the Indy Lights series.

“Force Indy entered the 2022 Indy Lights Championship with the expectation of being consistent and competitive. The Force Indy Race team has a strong commitment to developing diverse talent. We are excited to be sponsored by Lear which shares the same values and dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion”, he said.

Force Indy Driver Ernie Francis, Jr., 24, has three wins under his belt from his Formula Regional Americas Championship and a second-place finish in the inaugural season of the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), with a win at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

He’s a seven-time class champion in the Trans Am Series (2014-2020). His 47 career victories are the most of any driver in Trans Am history. His 24 wins in the premier TA category trail only Paul Gentilozzi (31), Mark Donohue (29), and Tommy Kendall (28).

The Force Indy team looks to benefit from the relationship with the legendary Roger Penske, winners of a record 18 Indianapolis 500’s and 16 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championships. Team Penske will continue to offer mentorship for Force Indy, as the initiative also falls under Penske Entertainment Corp.’s “Race for Equality & Change” announced in July 2020.

In December 2020, Reid formed Force Indy with a focus on recruiting and developing a diverse workforce throughout all levels of INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, ultimately creating a community that fundamentally transforms the sport.