The Indy Lights was an open-wheeled racing series that acted as a developmental circuit for CART from 1986 to 2001. Founded in 1986 as the American Racing Series (ARS), the series was renamed Indy Lights in 1991. However, by the late 1990s and early 2000s, CART was suffering from financial problems and it cancelled the minor league in 2001. By this time the Toyota Atlantic series was equally effective in providing CART drivers, and that series is now the main feeder championship. The series champions include 2 CART champions, 2 IRL champions, 7 CCWS race-winners and two Formula One drivers.

Indy Lights Champions

• 1986 -

Fabrizio Barbazza

• 1987 -

Didier Theys

• 1988 -

Jon Beekhuis

• 1989 -

Mike Groff

• 1990 -

Paul Tracy

• 1991 -

Eric Bachelart

• 1992 -

Robbie Buhl

• 1993 -

Bryan Herta

• 1994 -

Steve Robertson

• 1995 -

Greg Moore

• 1996 -

David Empringham

• 1997 -

Tony Kanaan

• 1998 -

Cristiano da Matta

• 1999 -

Oriol Servia

• 2000 -

Scott Dixon

• 2001 -

Townsend Bell

Other notable drivers

Steve Millen

Indy Lights