Mike Potekhen
Encyclopedia
Michael Potekhen is an American
racing driver from Silverthorne, Colorado
who currently competes in the Firestone Indy Lights Series, formerly known as the Indy Pro Series. After starting in karts, Potekhen began racing in the Star Mazda West Series and Formula Vauxhall Winter Series in 1997. He competed in Star Mazda West until 2001 when he moved to U.S. Formula Ford
2000. In 2003 he made his professional debut and finished fifth in the Star Mazda Pro Series. He competed in the Formula Mazda
pro series from 2004 to 2006 and in May of 2006
he made his Indy Pro Series debut at the Freedom 100
where he started and finished 11th. Potekhen made 4 other IPS starts that year. In 2007
he competed in a full season of the Indy Pro Series where he captured an IPS career-best finish of 2nd at the Milwaukee Mile
and finished a surprising 5th place in the championship.
With Apex Racing shutting down prior to the start of the season, Potekhen was left without a ride for the 2008 Indy Lights season
. He made his 2008 debut for SWE Racing/Chastain Motorsports
in the Firestone Freedom 100 on May 23. He returned to the team late in the season to make four more starts. He missed the first four races of the 2009 season, but signed to join Alliance Motorsports for the Freedom 100. Potekhen returned to the team to make seven more starts and led his first laps in the series at Chicagoland Speedway
late in the season. He finished 18th in points participating in only 8 of 15 races with a best finish of fourth at Homestead-Miami Speedway
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
racing driver from Silverthorne, Colorado
Silverthorne, Colorado
The Town of Silverthorne is a Home Rule Municipality that is the most populous town in Summit County, Colorado. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 3,610.-Geography:...
who currently competes in the Firestone Indy Lights Series, formerly known as the Indy Pro Series. After starting in karts, Potekhen began racing in the Star Mazda West Series and Formula Vauxhall Winter Series in 1997. He competed in Star Mazda West until 2001 when he moved to U.S. Formula Ford
Formula Ford
Formula Ford is a single seater, open wheel class in motorsport which exists in some form in many countries around the world. It is an entry-level series to motor racing....
2000. In 2003 he made his professional debut and finished fifth in the Star Mazda Pro Series. He competed in the Formula Mazda
Formula Mazda
Formula Mazda is a class of relatively affordable open wheel formula racing.Formula Mazda has its own class in SCCA club racing, and there is a North American professional series named Star Mazda Championship that is part of IndyCar's Road to Indy ladder system. The cars are very popular; seeing a...
pro series from 2004 to 2006 and in May of 2006
2006 in IPS
The 2006 Indy Racing League Indy Pro Series started the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 26th and finished September 9th at Chicagoland Speedway.-Miami 100:* Date: March 26* Location: Homestead-Miami Speedway...
he made his Indy Pro Series debut at the Freedom 100
Freedom 100
The Firestone Freedom 100 is a Firestone Indy Lights Series auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It is currently held the Friday before the Indianapolis 500...
where he started and finished 11th. Potekhen made 4 other IPS starts that year. In 2007
2007 in IPS
The 2007 Indy Racing League Indy Pro Series started on Saturday March 24 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The season's premiere race is the Freedom 100 on May 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The season finale was held at Chicagoland Speedway on September 9...
he competed in a full season of the Indy Pro Series where he captured an IPS career-best finish of 2nd at the Milwaukee Mile
Milwaukee Mile
The Milwaukee Mile is a -long oval race track in West Allis, Wisconsin that seats about 40,000 spectators. It operated as a dirt track until 1953. The track was paved in 1954....
and finished a surprising 5th place in the championship.
2008 Indy Lights season
The 2008 Indy Racing League Firestone Indy Lights Series season, formerly the Indy Pro Series, began on March 29, 2008 and consisted of 16 races. Due to the discontinuation of the United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the series lost its Liberty Challenge double header...
. He made his 2008 debut for SWE Racing/Chastain Motorsports
Chastain Motorsports
Chastain Motorsports is a team in the Indy Racing League owned by Indianapolis businessman Tom Chastain. The team was founded in 1997 and raced until 1998 with driver Stephan Gregoire. Gregoire finished 11th in driver points in '97 and 12th in '98 with a best race finish of 2nd at Pikes Peak...
in the Firestone Freedom 100 on May 23. He returned to the team late in the season to make four more starts. He missed the first four races of the 2009 season, but signed to join Alliance Motorsports for the Freedom 100. Potekhen returned to the team to make seven more starts and led his first laps in the series at Chicagoland Speedway
Chicagoland Speedway
Chicagoland Speedway is a tri-oval speedway in Joliet, Illinois, USA, southwest of Chicago. The speedway opened in 2001 and currently hosts NASCAR racing including the opening event in the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup. Until 2011, the speedway also hosted the IZOD IndyCar Series, recording...
late in the season. He finished 18th in points participating in only 8 of 15 races with a best finish of fourth at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead-Miami Speedway
Homestead-Miami Speedway is a race track in Homestead, Florida southwest of Miami.Since 2002 Homestead has hosted the final races of the season in all three of NASCAR's series: the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck Series...
.