DEAN Stoneman secured his first Indy Lights Podium with an impressive third place in Alabama.

The Andretti Autosport driver, from Bishops Waltham, arrived at Barber Motor Parkalready established himself as one the leading drivers in the 2016 championship.

Stoneman posted his best qualifying lap just one-and-a-half tenths of a second off pole.

An electrical issue restricted him to the pit lane for the whole of the 30- lap first race.

With the issue fixed, the rookie resumed his front row position for race two and almost grabbed the lead through turn one before dropping to fourth place.

But Stoneman was in no mood to finish outside the podium places and then reduced the gap to second, before running out of laps.

The result strengthens Stoneman’s position within the Indy Lights'  top eight.

Dean’s next race will be at the Indianapolis Grand Prix Circuit, Indiana on May 12-14.

“This is hopefully the start of where we need to be,” he said. “We are improving all the time and there is so much more to come from us.

“I came to this series fairly late on with limited time in the car, so we are playing catch up to the other guys, but we are making great progress.”