AJ Foyt Racing has announced that Benjamin Pedersen will join the team in 2023, moving up to IndyCar from Indy Lights in the process.
Pedersen just completed his second season in Indy Lights racing for Global Racing Group with HMD Motorsports, and finished fifth overall with one win.
The 23-year-old will drive for the Foyt team beginning next season, and the deal has been labeled as a multi-year arrangement.
“I’m super excited to get going with the team,” said Pedersen. “I’ve spent a lot of time this season with AJ Foyt Racing learning the ins and outs of making the jump to INDYCAR and it’s been really nice to do that in conjunction with my Indy Lights season.
“IndyCar has been my target goal since I started open wheel racing in 2016. The racing, atmosphere, fans, events, tracks, etc. are all awesome.
“When I had my debut Indy car test a few months ago, it was a very successful day topping the time charts and I found it very natural to transition into the Indy car.
“It’s just a really enjoyable car to drive that really rewards attacking the brakes and also asking a lot of the tire laterally.”
There is still uncertainty about the rest of the Foyt team’s plans for next season. No other drivers have been confirmed, including Dalton Kellett who has been with the team for the past three seasons.
Foyt tested the waters by running three cars for the first part of the 2022 season, but sponsorship payment problems forced the team back down to their traditional two-car pairing for the remainder of the year.
“We are really looking forward to having Benjamin as part of the team,” said team President Larry Foyt. “His enthusiasm is infectious, and he is 100% committed to IndyCar, AJ Foyt Racing, and doing the best he can to win races.
“It’s been great to have him embedded with the team this past season, and everyone is excited to hit the ground running when testing begins. It is also great to have a multi-year program in place, which will help him and the team grow together.”
Pedersen is the first of the current crop of Indy Lights drivers to have a confirmed ride in the premiere series.
Other drivers from the feeder series, including the dominant champion Linus Lundqvist, are still looking for a team that is willing to hire them on for next season.
