IPS: Crawford signs rookie for ovals.

Short-track driver Jake Slotten will drive the eight oval races on this year's Indy Pro Series calendar after impressing Michael Crawford Motorsports in a rookie test at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The 21-year old has raced midgets in the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association and USAC National Midget Series, winning the BMARA Rookie of the Year award at the age of 16. In 2005, he became one of the youngest drivers to make the top ten in points in the Badger Midget Racing Series, despite missing three points races while on a church-sponsored mission trip to North Africa to help in refugee camps.

"The Indy Racing League has shown an interest in re-establishing the career path of Midget and Sprint Car racers climbing the ladder to IndyCars," team owner Michael Crawford said, "With this in mind, we see a tremendous opportunity to work with Jake this season and prepare him for our mutual goal, a future run at the Indianapolis 500.

"In years past, many great stars of Indycar racing started their careers on the dirt tracks of America, and I am very pleased that we have partnered a modern-day Midwest dirt track driver as he fulfils a lifelong dream."