As the start of the season approaches, HMD Motorsports has nearly finalized their 2021 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires team roster with the addition of Nikita Lastochkin. After recently testing with the team at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Lastochkin has inked a deal that will see him pilot the #59 entry for the Indianapolis, Indiana based program.
A veteran in the Road to Indy, the Russian driver will be joining the team for an upcoming test at Barber Motorsports Park before the Series Test at the same location. Making his HMD Motorsports debut over the April 15-18 weekend, Lastochkin will join David Malukas, Linus Lundqvist and Benjamin Pedersen in a four-car effort with Global Racing Group.
Before the 2020 season was abandoned, Lastochkin was set to compete in his rookie Indy Lights season. Now, he will be making his first career Indy Lights start with HMD Motorsports but has already logged a pair of test days at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca back in January in preparation for the 2021 season. After starting his racing career back in 2013 and 2014 in the Skip Barber Winter Series, Lastockin has spent the past six years honing his skills in the Road to Indy Presented by Cooper Tires ladder program. Starting in 2015, Lastockin entered USF2000 before moving up to Indy Pro 2000 in 2017.
While the four-car lineup is stacked with rookies, Malukas, Lundqvist and Pedersen have had multiple testing opportunities with the team at various tracks and will be able to greatly benefit Lastochkin and each other. With all four drivers coming from different racing backgrounds and competing in different series, they will be able to work together to become a strong four-car team.
Stay tuned for more announcements from HMD Motorsports and Global Racing Group in the coming weeks.
Photos: HMD Motorsports
