The dust had barely settled on the Firestone Indy Lights finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway when the first major move of the off-season was announced, with AFS Racing/Andretti Green Racing confirming the capture of Martin Plowman.
The 22-year old Briton will arrive at the team having posted two top-five and eight top-ten finishes during his rookie year in the series with Panther Racing. He recently tested with Bryan Herta Autosport, but could not turn down the chance to join the team which has now won back-to-back Indy Lights titles with Raphael Matos and JR Hildebrand.
"I've really enjoyed racing in the Firestone Indy Lights Series this year and to get the opportunity to join AFS Racing/Andretti Green Racing next season is fantastic," he admitted, "The 2010 season will be crucial for me in my quest to reach the IndyCar Series, so to join the two-time defending series champions and a proven winner is awesome. Today is a tremendous step forward in my racing career. I can't wait to start working towards next season."
Plowman's racing career began at the age of twelve, when he claimed the British Formula Yamaha Open title and he continued to enjoy rapid success through the karting ranks. In 2003, he was credited as the first Briton - and youngest driver - to claim the French International Open Championship and was elected as a member of the British Racing Drivers' Club's Rising Star programme after capturing four wins and seven podiums in just ten events.
After proving himself, Plowman was selected by motorsports legend Alex Zanardi as a sole works driver for Team Zanardi's world championship karting team, and underlined his reputation by claiming the coveted CIK/FIA Asian Pacific Championship in only the team's third outing. He spent a handful of years in Formula Renault and F3 in Europe before crossing the Atlantic to join the Indy Lights series in 2009.
"I'm excited about signing Martin to drive for us next year," AFS owner Gary Peterson commented, "He's a good driver and I think he has a lot of potential. With our team as strong as we are right now, he will be a welcome addition and a great team player. Our goal for 2010 is to get our third consecutive championship title and Martin can help us bring that goal to life."
