Ernie Francis gears up for St. Petersburg race
Fred Jeter | 2/3/2022, 6 p.m.
African-Americans are as rare on the IndyCar circuit as snowmobiles in Haiti, but that doesn’t bother Ernie Francis Jr., the latest contender for IndyCar honors.
The Florida-born Francis, whose parents actually are from Haiti, will ride the No. 99 open-wheel car for African-American-operated Force Indy Race Team on the upcoming Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Championship.
Indy Lights is a level of Indy Racing one peg below the cars that compete at the most prestigious races such as the Indianapolis 500.
There is a bit of a local angle. Handling the publicity for Force Indy Race Team is Tracey Hughes Royal of Tracey Royal Communications. She is married to Dr. Frank Royal Jr. of Richmond.
Francis, 24, is a seven-time champion in the Trans Am Series (2014-to-2020) and has a record 47 victories on that tour.
His first race on the 11-event Indy Lights circuit will be Feb. 25-27 in the Streets of St. Petersburg competition.
Force Indy Race Team has African-American Rod Reid as principle co-owner, along with Team Roger Penske. Crew chief Stuart Kelly and chief mechanic Derrick Morris are bothAfrican-American.
There is a short list of African-Americans to appear in the famed Indy 500. Willy T. Ribbs ran in 1991 and ‘93, placing 32nd and 21st, respectively.
