in 2003, he made his professional debut and finished fifth in the star mazda pro series. he competed in the formula mazda pro series from 2004 to 2006 and in may 2006 he made his indy pro series debut at the freedom 100 where he started and finished 11th. potekhen made four other ips starts that year. in 2007, he competed in a full season of the indy pro series and achieved an ips career-best finish of 2nd at the milwaukee mile and finished in a surprising 5th place in the championship.