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Pro Mazda series' champion, Jack Hawksworth capitalized on some other drivers' misfortunes to earn his first Indy Lights victory in the streets of St. Petersburg.

Hawksworth was able to make the most of a bad start and come back later in the race when leader Gabby Chaves was involved in an accident with second-placed Carlos Munoz.

Damages to Chaves' car were beyond repair and he had to retire while Munoz was given a drive-through penalty, only to suffer a late gearbox failure.

With a clear track ahead of him, Hawksworth set about opening a substantial gap, eventually crossing the line 4.9 seconds clear of Peter Dempsey.

Sage Karam completed the podium ahead of Juan Pablo Garcia.

Photo: Indy Light

Only 9 entries lined up on the starting line, proving once again the worrying state of the IndyCar ladder series.

Results - 45 laps:
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Jack Hawksworth Schmidt 54m06.0120s
2. Peter Dempsey Belardi + 4.9073s
3. Sage Karam Schmidt + 8.0605s
4. Juan Pablo Garcia Moore + 18.2610s
5. Zach Veach Andretti + 20.5404s
6. Jorge Goncalvez Belardi + 21.1040s

Retirements:
Carlos Munoz Andretti 43 laps
Gabby Chaves Schmidt 10 laps
Ethan Ringel Moore 0 laps