In 2001 and 2002, there was a flock of U.S.-born talent in the Toyota Formula Atlantic series. Ryan Hunter-Reay, Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty, Joey Hand and Rocky Moran Jr. were young, fast and ready to move up into CART.

Unfortunately, CART went bankrupt after 2002 and only RHR got to take that next step into Champ Car. Gurney and Fogarty teamed to become a formidable combo in sports cars while Hand went from ALMS to the DTM.

Moran, who captured the last Atlantic race of 2001 at Laguna Seca and then the Montreal race in 2002 (RIGHT) , went back to go-karts as he and his father, Rocky, built a state-of-the-art track in California. He returned to sports car racing in 2011 driving alongside Bruno Junqueira but now he’s finally going to get a shot at his goal in life. An Indy car.

“I ran into Sam Schmidt at Fontana last month and we worked out a deal so I’m going to test on the road course at Homestead next Monday or Tuesday,” said Moran. “Just getting to test makes me feel like I’ve won the lottery and I can’t wait.

“I think Bruno is going to be there and I’ve been talking to RHR and he’s given me some tips. Next week can’t get here soon enough.”  

Now a married man with three children, the 34-year-old Californian understands it’s a longshot and he knows the drill.

“I know a lot of people have forgotten about me but I know I can do it,” he continued. “The hardest part is finding funding so I’m spending a lot of time doing that. By no means is this a ride, it’s just a test, but it allows me to get my foot back in the door and get in a car.”

His dad, a three-time starter in the Indianapolis 500, was driver coach in Star Mazda in 2012 for Jack Hawksworth, who had an impressive rookie campaign this year in IndyCar.

“Dad and I watch every IndyCar race and it’s what I love most and what I’ve always aspired to do,” said Moran. “I’m hopeful of doing a handful of races next year and we’ll see what happens.

“But my goal is to make this the Rocky comeback story of IndyCar.”