Dubai-based Englishman Ed Jones will hope to overcome the 16-point advantage of leader Santiago ‘Santi’ Urrutia as the Indy Lights series heads to the Watkins Glen International road course in Upstate New York for the penultimate weekend in this year’s hotly-contested series.

Englishman Dean Stoneman, Puerto Rican Felix Serralles, Californian Kyle Kaiser and Ohioan Zach Veach also are within 52 points of Urrutia.

At stake is a scholarship valued at $1 million which will ensure the champion three guaranteed races in next year’s IndyCar Series, including the 101st Indianapolis 500.

Just three races remain – one on Saturday at WGI, followed by two more at the ‘Soul Red Finale’ one week later at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, in Monterey. A maximum haul of 99 points is available.

Jones, 21, who recently tested an Indy car at Watkins Glen with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, has won twice this season for the British Carlin team, and held a commanding lead in the points table until experiencing a difficult weekend at Mid-Ohio.

“The championship is the goal, but I have to go very strong in the last three races,” said Jones. “If I can be the best in those races, that’s all I can control.”

Urrutia, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Wednesday, grasped the advantage following a sweep of the two most recent races at the MidOhio Sports Car Course.

“I want to win the Indy Lights championship and, as a team, we are working hard toward that goal. I can’t afford to make any mistakes.”