8Star Absorbed by Team Pelfrey

Photo: John Dagys

Sports car and open-wheel squad 8Star Motorsports has been absorbed by Team Pelfrey as part of its expansion into Indy Lights next year, it was announced Monday.

The assets of the Enzo Potolicchio-owned team, which had taken part in IMSA and FIA World Endurance Championship competition in 2013-14, has been sold to the Palmetto, Fla.-based Pelfrey team, which currently operates entries in the Mazda Road to Indy ladder.

All of the former 8Star crew will continue to operate at its Pompano Beach, Fla. base, with Gary Neal remaining as team manager for Pelfrey’s Indy Lights effort.

8Star is coming off a partial season of Indy Lights competition, highlighted by two wins with Sean Rayhall.

“I am really excited to have the opportunity to build the Indy Lights team with Team Pelfrey,” Neal said. “Since my Engineer, Yves Touron, and mechanics are staying in place with the new team I am sure we will be a contender for the Indy Lights Championship in 2016.”

Pelfrey’s takeover of 8Star’s operations likely marks an end to the team’s sports car racing efforts, having worked on multiple options, including a potential program in Pirelli World Challenge, for next year.

A call to Potolicchio for comment was not returned as of Monday afternoon.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John