The 1997 CART PPG/Firestone Indy Lights Championship consisted of 13 races. Tony Kanaan edged out good friend and teammate Helio Castroneves to the title by only four points.
Race summaries
Homestead race
Held March 2 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Helio Castroneves won the pole.
Top Five Results
Long Beach race
Held April 13 at Long Beach, California Street Course. Helio Castroneves won the pole.
Top Five Results
Nazareth race
Held April 27 at Nazareth Speedway. Chris Simmons won the pole.
Top Five Results
Savannah race
Held May 18 at the Hutchinson Island Road Race Course. Helio Castroneves won the pole.
Top Five Results
Gateway race
Held May 24 at Gateway International Raceway. Chris Simmons won the pole.
Top Five Results
Milwaukee race
Held June 1 at The Milwaukee Mile. Clint Mears won the pole.
Top Five Results
Detroit race
Held June 8 at Belle Isle Raceway. Tony Kanaan won the pole.
Top Five Results
Portland race
Held June 22 at Portland International Raceway. Helio Castroneves won the pole.
Top Five Results
Toronto race
Held July 20 at Exhibition Place. Tony Kanaan won the pole.
Top Five Results
Trois-Rivières race
Held August 3 at the Trois-Rivières, Quebec Street Circuit. Mark Hotchkis won the pole.
Top Five Results
Vancouver race
Held August 31 at Pacific Place. Cristiano da Matta won the pole.
Top Five Results
Laguna Seca race
Held September 7 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Tony Kanaan won the pole.
Top Five Results
Fontana race
Held October 31 at The California Speedway. Clint Mears won the pole.
Top Five Results
Final points standings
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).
No points: