Canadian racer Dalton Kellett will make his debut in the IndyCar Series this year.
Growing up in Toronto, Kellett knew that racing wasn’t the most popular sport in Southern Ontario. However, he got into the sport with the help of his father’s interest and a family friend, who introduced him to competitive go-kart racing. Kellett raced at Goodwood Kartways as his home track. He competed in Canada, the US and selected races in Europe as a go-kart racer before making the jump to racing cars in 2011.
In an interview with the Queen’s Journal, Kellett compared racing cars to racing karts, “That’s a whole different type of driving. Unless you have a mechanic, as a go-kart racer, you do the work on the karts yourself, you’re sort of a jack of all trades. Then you get to cars … you’re just there to drive.”
After racing karts, he raced in the Ontario Formula Ford Championship, then up the Road to Indy ladder system by competing in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship, the Indy Pro 2000 Championship, the Pro Mazda Series and the Indy Lights Series. Now, the Canadian racer will get his shot at the biggest stage in North American open-wheel racing; the NTT IndyCar Series and its crown jewel, the Indianapolis 500.
AJ Foyt Racing has announced the 26-year-old native of Stouffville, ON, will be one of three drivers in the Chevrolet-powered No. 14 car this season. Kellett will split the driving duties with four-time IndyCar Series champion Sebastien Bourdais and 2004 IndyCar series champion and 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan. Kellett is scheduled will compete in 8 of the 12 road and street course races, including Circuit of the Americas, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road courses, Belle Isle (two races), Road America, Toronto, Mid-Ohio and Laguna Seca.. He is also set to compete in the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500. It’s a long way from go-kart racing at Goodwood Kartways
“I am honored to compete in the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series with AJ Foyt Racing. This opportunity is truly a dream come true for me, dating back to my days looking up to the drivers in IndyCar back as a young go-karter. The pedigree and achievements of AJ Foyt Racing are historic in our sport, and I can’t wait to contribute to their ongoing success. This season, there will be plenty to learn including the exciting challenge of adapting to an all new car for me. Luckily, I am fortunate to be partnered with series veterans in Kanaan and Bourdais. I’m looking forward to working with them and learning from their combined experience to grow as a driver. Thank you to the team and my partners for this opportunity. It will be an honor to represent K-Line Insulators USA at this level of the sport.”
Dalton Kellett,
IndyCar driver for A.J. Foyt Racing
Demaras Racing wishes A.J. Foyt Racing’s newest driver (and local hero) Dalton Kellett great success in 2020 and beyond!
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