The 1997 PPG/Firestone Indy Lights Championship Powered By Buick consisted of 13 races. Tony Kanaan edged out good friend and teammate Hélio Castro-Neves to the title by only four points.
Contents
Homestead race
Held March 2 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Hélio Castro-Neves won the pole.
Top Five Results
- David Empringham
- Fredrik Larsson
- Chris Simmons
- Mark Hotchkis
- Lee Bentham
Long Beach race
Held April 13 at Long Beach, California Street Course. Hélio Castro-Neves won the pole.
Top Five Results
- Hélio Castro-Neves
- Cristiano da Matta
- Mark Hotchkis
- Chris Simmons
- Tony Kanaan
Nazareth race
Held April 27 at Nazareth Speedway. Chris Simmons won the pole.
Top Five Results
- Cristiano da Matta
- Chris Simmons
- Fredrik Larsson
- Hélio Castro-Neves
- Tony Kanaan
Savannah race
Held May 18 at the Hutchinson Island. Hélio Castro-Neves won the pole.
Top Five Results
- Hélio Castro-Neves
- Sérgio Paese
- Lee Bentham
- Luiz Garcia, Jr.
- Naoki Hattori
Gateway race
Held May 24 at Gateway International Raceway. Chris Simmons won the pole.
Top Five Results
- Lee Bentham
- Cristiano da Matta
- Hélio Castro-Neves
- David Empringham
- Chris Simmons
Milwaukee race
Held June 1 at The Milwaukee Mile. Clint Mears won the pole.
Top Five Results
- Clint Mears
- David Empringham
- Tony Kanaan
- Cristiano da Matta
- Fredrik Larsson
Detroit race
Held June 8 at Belle Isle Raceway. Tony Kanaan won the pole.
Top Five Results
- Tony Kanaan
- Hélio Castro-Neves
- Geoff Boss
- David Empringham
- Sérgio Paese
Portland race
Held June 22 at Portland International Raceway. Hélio Castro-Neves won the pole.
Top Five Results
- Hideki Noda
- Hélio Castro-Neves
- Tony Kanaan
- Cristophe Tinseau
- Cristiano da Matta
Toronto race
Held July 20 at Exhibition Place. Tony Kanaan won the pole.
Top Five Results
- Hélio Castro-Neves
- Tony Kanaan
- David Empringham
- Didier André
- Cristophe Tinseau
Trois-Rivières race
Held August 3 at the Trois-Rivières, Quebec Street Circuit. Mark Hotchkis won the pole.
Top Five Results
- Tony Kanaan
- Mark Hotchkis
- Cristophe Tinseau
- Cristiano da Matta
- David Empringham
Vancouver race
Held August 31 at Pacific Place. Cristiano da Matta won the pole.
Top Five Results
- Cristiano da Matta
- Tony Kanaan
- Hideki Noda
- Chris Simmons
- David Empringham
Laguna Seca race
Held September 7 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Tony Kanaan won the pole.
Top Five Results
- Cristiano da Matta
- Tony Kanaan
- Hélio Castro-Neves
- Mark Hotchkis
- Lee Bentham
Fontana race
Held September 27 at The California Speedway. Clint Mears won the pole.
Top Five Results
- Clint Mears
- Chris Simmons
- Lee Bentham
- Cristiano da Matta
- Hélio Castro-Neves
Driver
For every race the points were awarded: 20 points to the winner, 16 for runner-up, 14 for third place, 12 for fourth place, 10 for fifth place, 8 for sixth place, 6 seventh place, winding down to 1 points for 12th place. Additional points were awarded to the pole winner (1 point) and to the driver leading the most laps (1 point).
Complete Overview
R23=retired, but classified NS=did not start NQ=did not qualify