The rise of Parker Thompson has been one of the biggest stories in the recent history of Canadian Motorsport.

The native of Red Deer, Alberta, has been competing in the Road to Indy since 2015.

To date, Thompson has finished each season in the top five of the Drivers’ standings.

Last year, Thompson made his way to the second rung of the Road to Indy ladder.

His debut season saw him finish second in the Indy Pro 2000 championship, with three wins and six podiums.

This year, Thompson looks to build momentum from his strong rookie campaign. However, a lack of sponsorship funds has put his 2019 hopes in doubt.

With hard work and determination, the 21-year-old secured a last-minute deal with Abel Motorsports for the season opener in St. Petersburg, Florida in March.

Despite the circumstances, Thompson made himself an immediate championship contender, claiming victory in both races.

A lengthy break in the schedule has given Thompson an opportunity to continue to look for sponsors to fund a full-season campaign.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Thompson would return for the next round at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend.

Race weekend coming up! #IndyPro2000 visits the #IndyGP. We'll have the #8 and the #51 in action with @parkertracing and @jacobabelracing behind the wheel. Catch the action live at https://t.co/BxOONysqum#RoadToIndy #TeamCooperTire pic.twitter.com/tRlTYT2o0S

— AbelMotorsports (@AbelMotorsports) May 7, 2019

Driving for Abel Motorsports, Thompson will look to build on his 19-point lead over Rasmus Lindh, in the Indy Pro 2000 standings.

In 2018, the Canadian finished first and fifth in the two Indy Pro 2000 races at the Indianapolis road course, and will want to build on that success.

He enters this weekend’s race after a successful outing at Mid-Ohio in the recent Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup U.S.A. meeting.

Over the two races, Thompson finished first and second respectively.

The race at Mid-Ohio was also Thompson’s second ever outing in a GT race car.

The driver, more accustomed to racing single-seater open-wheel cars, is looking to expand his horizons.

If a career in IndyCar doesn’t materialise, he will surely be a highly coveted in other series’. There are many alternatives available, such as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

For now though, Parker Thompson has set his sights on the 2019 Indy Pro 2000 Championship.

First place would ensure a move to Indy Lights in 2020, and bring him closer to a seat in the NTT IndyCar Series.