7-Time Trans Am Series Champion Ernie Francis Jr. Is On the Road to Indy

• Ernie Francis Jr., a seven-time class champion and the winningest driver in the Trans Am Series will be racing in the Indy Lights series in 2022.

• Francis' 47 career victories are the most of any driver in Trans Am history.

• Francis will drive for Force Indy, a team introduced in December of 2020 by team principal Rod Reid as a team dedicated toward hiring men and women of color, including mechanics, engineers, staffers and drivers.

The winningest driver in the Trans Am Series history is heading to Indy cars.

Ernie Francis Jr., a seven-time class champion and the winningest driver in the Trans Am Series will be racing in the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires championship with the Force Indy Team in 2022.

Francis, 24, has proven to be a quick study in series outside of Trans Am. He posted three wins and finished third in the season standings his lone season in the 2021 Formula Regional Americas Championship. Last year, he also finished second in the championship to series founder and NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart in the inaugural season of the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX).

Francis' 47 career victories are the most of any driver in Trans Am history. His 24 wins in the top-level TA category trail only Paul Gentilozzi (31), Mark Donohue (29) and Tommy Kendall (28).

Francis also started one race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2017. In 2018, he raced twice in the NASCAR K&N Series and finished second in his debut in that series at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

This is an incredible opportunity,” Francis said. “After getting a taste last year and beginning to learn what open-wheel racing is all about, I found myself wanting more. Open-wheel cars are incredible to drive. To know that I’ll continue my education with Force Indy and only one step away from the NTT IndyCar Series makes this unbelievably special. I cannot wait to get started.”

Indy is a team introduced in December of 2020 by team principal Rod Reid as a team dedicated toward hiring men and women of color, including mechanics, engineers, staffers and drivers. The team race in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship—a rung on the Road to Indy ladder system—with driver Myles Rowe. Rowe finished 13th in the championship and gave Force Indy its first win with a triumph at New Jersey Motorsports Park in August.

“Being able to finish our first season with a win showed what this team is capable of doing,” Reid said. “We want to thank Myles, who will always be a member of the Force Indy race team, and will continue to offer assistance and mentorship as he pursues another season in USF2000.

“I could not be more thrilled to promote our group to the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires championship with Ernie Francis Jr. His work ethic and history of success speak for itself.”

Force Indy has a mentorship partnership with Team Penske, as part of Penske Entertainment Corp.’s “Race for Equality & Change” announced in July 2020.

“I was pleased to learn that Ernie would be driving for Force Indy in 2022,” Team Penske owner Roger Penske said. “As someone who has a history in Trans Am, I know the type of skillset that comes from that series. Ernie will be a wonderful addition to Indy Lights.

“It was inspiring to see the growth of Force Indy during their first season, and we will continue to support their progress and mission as the team continues on a path to compete in the NTT IndyCar Series.”