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Stoneman eyeing Indy 500 outing despite GT move

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Dean Stoneman won in Indy Lights in Indianapolis in 2016, and is looking for an Indy 500 ride this year - Credit: Chris Owens / IndyCar

Despite moving to the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup in 2017, Dean Stoneman still has an ambition to race in the Verizon IndyCar Series, and is aiming his debut to come at this year’s Indianapolis 500.

Stoneman recently announced plans to race for Strakka Racing in Blancpain alongside Andrew Watson and Jazeman Jaafar in a McLaren 650S GT3, but like much of his career to date, he knows sponsorship is key to his ambitions, and he is working hard in order to make it happen at the Brickyard this May.

The British racer was part of Andretti Autosport’s line-up in Indy Lights in 2016, and took a famous double victory at Indianapolis, winning on both the road course and the oval last May.

“I’d always looked at GT racing but had better opportunities to get to Formula 1 or IndyCar, and that’s changed since last year, so I’m excited to have a go with the Strakka team in Blancpain, but from where I sit, I’m going to leave the door open to IndyCar,” said Stoneman to Racer.

“My aim would be to do the Indy 500 this year as that would be a great achievement, and we are trying to find a sponsor for it.

“Our first GT race is the end of April at Monza; we’re only doing the endurance side of the Blancpain championship, so there are some openings in the schedule that would allow something like the Indy 500 to happen for me. But it’s down to budget, as always.”

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