"I wouldn't be here" without Mazda, says Pigot ahead of debut

Tomorrow, he will take part in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in his prototype debut with the Mazda team. Six weeks from now, he will make his Verizon IndyCar Series debut with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. 

A race worth waiting for

"It's going to be very exciting for me," he told Motorsport.com. "(The Rolex 24) is a race I always grew up attending, being from just down the road in Orlando. I've been to the race a dozen times and always wanted to be a part of it so now, to be here in the top category with Mazda is great."

At 22-years-old, Pigot is confident he and the team can "challenge up front" in his maiden Rolex 24 behind the wheel of a prototype.

Same old story, it all comes down to funding and sponsorship

Spencer Pigot on if he'll run more IndyCar races

Not your usual race

Compared to his 2015 day job as an Indy Lights driver, this event is a completely different animal.

"The preparations have been so different from what I'm used to. Mentally, getting into the mindset and having to drive for so long and so many hours throughout the day. Then having to get back in the car and get back out. You have to try to remain patient and stay out of trouble."

In regards to a set result to aim for, the Florida native doesn't have anything particular in mind, saying, "I don't have any specific goals for myself but as a team, we want to do well and hopefully fight for a win on Sunday. For me, the goal is to do whatever I can to help the team achieve that."

Road to Indy "critical" to Pigot's career

Pigot's relationship with Mazda is not confined to this race weekend. In fact, if it weren't for Mazda, he knows he wouldn't be on the verge of a career breakthrough this year.

"The Mazda Road to Indy has been critical to my career. I definitely wouldn't be here and wouldn't be moving up to IndyCar without them.

"Pretty much my whole car racing career has been within the Mazda family so it's going to be a bit strange to go to St. Pete and not be driving a Mazda, but I couldn't have done it without them. I have to thank them for everything they've done for me."

Pigot spent two seasons in USF2000 before moving up to Pro Mazda and winning the crown in second year there, ultimately doing the same in the Lights division the following year.

Hoping to add more races to 2016 IndyCar schedule

Looking forward, he currently has three confirmed races lined up with RLLR -- St. Petersburg, GP of Indy and the Indianapolis 500. But he made it clear that he wants more.

"We're working on it. Same old story, it all comes down to funding and sponsorship. I'm working hard with my team of people and the team is working hard so hopefully, between us, we'll be able to add on at least a few more."

"I can't wait to get going at St. Petersburg with the guys at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. They've been great so far and this is what I've always wanted to do -- race the Indy 500.

"Just really, really excited ... I can't wait."