Earlier this year, INDYCAR and the Skip Barber Racing School teamed up to complete the Mazda Road to Indy driver development ladder by making the Skip Barber Racing School the official racing school of the IZOD IndyCar Series and announcing the creation of the Skip Barber INDYCAR Academy.

The program will bring 33 drivers to an intense elimination competition where the finalists square off for the grand prize -- a fully-sponsored entry in either the summer or winter Skip Barber Racing Series in 2013. Competing in the Skip Barber Racing Series makes it possible to have a shot at the year-end Skip Barber shoot-out and a chance for sponsored advancement up the Mazda Road to Indy.

IZOD IndyCar Series stars such as Marco and Michael Andretti, Helio Castroneves, Bryan Herta, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Tony Kanaan and James Hinchliffe have all benefited from Skip Barber Racing School programs. Hear how Skip Barber shaped their careers in this video.