Twenty years after breaking new ground at the Indianapolis 500, Willy T. Ribbs is preparing to set another precedent.

And just as he did in becoming the race's first African-American driver in 1991, he's beginning at the grassroots level. Ribbs is back as the co-owner of a self-named, start-up Firestone Indy Lights team featuring Chase Austin, who aims to become the first black driver to qualify for Friday's Freedom 100 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

If that succeeds, expect Ribbs to use it as a springboard toward being the sport's first black regular team owner.

"There's no secret I want to be a full-time IndyCar owner," said Ribbs, 56, who qualified 29th and completed five laps before a bent rod left him 32nd in a Lola/Buick co-owned by entertainer Bill Cosby.