Same team, equal equipment, shared data and insight gleened through 11 Firestone Indy Lights races. Nothing much will surprise Sage Karam and Gabby Chaves about each other in the 50-lap Lefty's Kids Club 100 at Auto Club Speedway.

It's an unknown springing a surprise that concerns the drivers who will duel for the series championship in the season finale Oct. 19 (7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network). Karam, a three-time race winner, holds a 16-point advantage over his Schmidt Peterson with Curb-Agajanian teammate, whose consistency (10 top-five finishes, including a victory, in the 11 races) has led to this one race to decide it all scenario.

Click it: Lefty's Kids Club 100 entrant list

"I think the preparation that we've had all year leads to this last race, which will be the most important race possibly of our careers," said Chaves, 20, of Colombia. "We've been preparing very hard fitness‑wise and mentally and working on the simulator and working with the team and everything. This is where it comes down to the line."

Last year, the two principals and Jack Hawksworth battled for the Pro Mazda Championship. Chaves won the season finale at Road Atlanta to secure second place in the championship behind Hawksworth, while Karam placed third. All three graduated to the Schmidt Peterson team, which will earn its fourth consecutive entrant title. Hawksworth, a three-time winner this season, is third in the standings but was eliminated from title contention Oct. 5 at Houston.

"It's the second year in a row that we're battling it out," said Karam, 18, of Nazareth, Pa. "I figured it would come down to us three. I think we definitely had a powerhouse team this year. Going into Fontana, no different from any other weekend. People are asking me what do I need to do to win the championship. I really don't have to look into it too hard. If I win the race, I win the championship.

"(Team co-owner) Sam (Schmidt) said to me before the race in Houston, win the race and you're going to win the championship. That's our main focus is win the race, and hopefully we can get the title from there."

Some Firestone Indy Lights fast facts

* Years as exclusive tire supplier: 1991-2013 (all years with the Firestone brand except 1998-2001, when it was the sister Dayton brand)
* Years as series title sponsor: 1991-1997 Firestone Indy Lights, 1998-2001 Dayton Indy Lights, 2002-2007 no title sponsorship, 2008-2013 Firestone Indy Lights
* Total races: 290 (including the Lefty's Kids Club 100 on Oct. 19)
* Total race miles completed: 365,021.38 (before 50-lap Auto Club Speedway race)
* Number of different drivers competing: 377
* Number of different drivers to win a race: 99
* Number of drivers who went on to compete in IndyCar/CART/CCWS: 109
* Number of drivers who went on to win a race in IndyCar/CART/CCWS: 25
* Most career wins by a driver: 13, Greg Moore (1994-1995)
* Most wins in a season: 10, Greg Moore (1995)
* Most races by one driver: 66, Arie Luyendyk Jr., (2002-2010)
* Most seasons driving in at least one race: 8, Arie Luyendyk Jr. (2002-2010)
* Most races without a victory: 58, Rodolfo Lavin (1996-2000)
* Only driver to win a championship without winning a race: Oriol Servia, 1999 (when it was Dayton Indy Lights)
* First race winner: Eric Bachelart (Long Beach, 1991)
* First season champion: Eric Bachelart (1991)
* Number of former drivers entered in this year’s IndyCar Series race at Auto Club Speedway: 14 of the 25 on the entry list (56 percent of the field)