The field for the May 25 Firestone Freedom 100 is set at 19 drivers with diverse backgrounds. Behind the scenes, inside the broadcast booth, there’s a diverse mix of talent as well.

Arie Luyendyk Jr., will join Mike King and four-time IZOD IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti to call the race.

Luyendyk, currently a contestant on "The Bachelorette," is the son of two-time Indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk. The younger Luyendyk competed in Firestone Indy Lights from 2002 to 2010 and also raced in the 2006 Indianapolis 500.

“It’s great to return to the broadcast booth again,” he said. “I’ve been spending my time catching up with all the current Firestone Indy Lights drivers and getting to know them, and I’m looking forward to calling the race.”

ENTRY LIST | WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Essentially known as the Indy 500 of the Firestone Indy Lights schedule, the Firestone Freedom 100 puts the future drivers of the IZOD IndyCar Series on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a 40-lap/100 mile shootout. Last year’s race was won by eventual series champion Josef Newgarden, who now races in the IZOD IndyCar Series with Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing.

Several other drivers competing in the Indianapolis 500 on May 27 have made their way up from Firestone Indy Lights, including front-row starter James Hinchcliffe, Marco Andretti, Ed Carpenter, JR Hildebrand, Charlie Kimball, Bryan Clauson, and three-time Freedom 100 winner Wade Cunningham.

“If you look at the 33 drivers competing in the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, a lot of them have come from Indy Lights and are doing very well,” Luyendyk said. “The series is doing a great job preparing the drivers for the IZOD IndyCar Series, and there’s a lot of talent in Firestone Indy Lights right now.”

Returning from a six-week break, the Firestone Indy Lights championship battle picks up where it left off in Long Beach. Sebastian Saavedra of AFS Racing/Andretti Autosport, who will also be racing in the Indianapolis 500, leads the standings over rookie Tristan Vautier of Sam Schmidt Motorsports, with SSM teammate Esteban Guerrieri just three points out of the lead.

Several drivers will be making their first appearance in the 2012 Firestone Indy Lights season and could prove to be series contenders for the win, including series returners Peter Dempsey, Brandon Wagner, Anders Krohn and Chase Austin.

The Firestone Freedom 100 will be aired live on NBC Sports Network with coverage beginning at noon (ET). Qualifying will begin at 1:15 p.m. (ET) on May 24.