TJ Speed has named Irishman James Roe as its second driver for the 2022 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season, joining Kyffin Simpson in a two-car effort.

Roe, 23, won the Indy Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires season finale in 2021 at Mid-Ohio. He finished seventh in the season standings.

“I am extremely happy to be joining TJ Speed this coming season,” Roe said. “The goal has been to be a driver in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and this is another step in my climb to achieve that goal.”

As a former winner in the F2000 Championship, FR Americas Championship Powered by Honda and the Indy Pro 2000 Championship, Roe has won on every level on his rise to Indy Lights. He will continue to the top rung of the Road to Indy ladder system with support from Topcon Positioning Systems and Trintech.

“This program is all down to the fantastic partners involved,” Roe said. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and look forward to getting to work right away with the team. We are under no illusion of what it takes to perform in Indy Lights, and I am confident in the team around me.”

With the first event set to take place in St. Petersburg, Florida, over the Feb. 25-27 weekend, Roe will take part in several test days before the first green flag of the 2022 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season.

“We have completed a few test days with James, and he has progressed well in the transition from Indy Pro to Indy Lights,” said TJ Speed’s Tim Neff. “As a top runner in Indy Pro last season, we are expecting him to challenge at the front of the Indy Lights grid in 2022 alongside Kyffin.”