Tag: IndyNXT by Firestone

Kucharczyk Tops INDY NXT Regulars at Griffis Test

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From IndyCar:


NTT INDYCAR SERIES Champ Palou Quickest with Helping Hand for CGR

INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Oct. 16, 2026) – Alex Palou didn’t expect to be the quickest driver in Friday’s Chris Griffis Memorial Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The five-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion had never driven INDY NXT by Firestone machinery before climbing into the No. 11 Chip Ganassi Racing entry on an overcast, chilly day in Central Indiana. He arrived with minimal expectations. His lap time, however, told a different story.

Palou topped the 22-car test, named in memory of Chris Griffis, the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team manager who died suddenly in September 2011. Palou turned a lap of 1 minute, 14.5050 seconds on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course.

SEE: Overall Test Results

“Feels strange, but it feels good,” Palou said. “Feels kind of strange to be a rookie, but I’m a rookie. I’ve never been in this car before, so I’m a rookie in this series. I think a lot of people think that it’s like other sports where you go down and it’s like you’re so much higher level. Here it’s tough. I didn’t expect to be first.”

Tymek Kucharczyk finished second on the day with a lap of 1:14.8209 in the No. 71 HMD Motorsports entry. The Polish driver finished third as a rookie in the standings this past season with two victories. The last time he was on this road course, he won on May 9. The last time he was in this car, he won the Sept. 6 season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Max Taylor was third Friday at 1:14.8453 in the No. 28 Andretti Global entry. Kucharczyk and Taylor were the highest-finishing drivers from the 2026 championship standings to participate in Friday’s test. Taylor finished fourth last season in the same ride.

Max Garcia, who became the second-youngest winner in INDY NXT by Firestone history with his Aug. 30 victory at Milwaukee Mile, finished fourth at 1:14.9443 while testing for HMD Motorsports. The Miami high school senior competed for Abel Motorsports during his rookie season.

Jack Beeton rounded out the top five with a lap of 1:14.9577. He competed for HMD Motorsports this past season but tested the No. 29 Andretti Global entry.

Friday’s test offered an opportunity to experience a different car for Palou and learn from the next generation of open-wheel drivers. The opportunity first arose during the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, when Chip Ganassi Racing asked him to participate. His answer was an easy yes.

“I love driving cars, any kind of car,” Palou said. “Obviously, it’s a bit different to what I’m used to. But you learn so much. These kids are really, really fast in these cars, but any track day is good. Obviously, I wouldn’t do a race, but test day, 100 percent.”

One of Palou’s key points of reference was teammate Alessandro de Tullio, whose progress he had followed throughout the 2026 season. De Tullio recorded two wins and eight poles during his rookie season with AJ Foyt Racing. Friday marked his first day testing with Chip Ganassi Racing, and he finished sixth quickest with a lap of 1:15.0009.

“I think we have an incredible reference in our team with de Tullio,” Palou said. “He’s been so fast all year, and I’ve been following him a lot.”

The 22 cars combined to complete 1,573 laps during the test.

The 2027 INDY NXT by Firestone season begins the first weekend of March on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.
 
 

Chris Griffis Memorial Test Update- Palou to Drive

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Friday’s Chris Griffis Memorial Test for the IndyNXT by Firestone became a lot more interesting today when Chip Ganassi Racing announced that five-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou will test the number 11 car (pictured above). Palou has had a very busy off season, testing the IR-28 car at Ims and Sebring, and also driving, although briefly, in Petit Le Mans.

The test is expected to feature 22 drivers and run from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm Eastern time on the IMS road course. Turn 2 spectator mounds will be open. A full entry list will be out stomorrow.

News and Notes

That Didn’t Take Long– A story yesterday said that Ford was evaluating a possible return to IndyCar. I did not put much stock in it, and today Ford stated that they were not moving forward with a 2.4 liter engine which IndyCar uses. It was a fun few minutes thinking about a Ford-Chevy rivalry in American open wheel.

Josh Pierson Cleared to Move Up Josh Pierson passed his evaluation test on the IMS road course on Tuesday, clearing the way for him sign with A.J Foyt Racing’s IndyCar team. Pierson won an IndyNXT race in 2025, which was short of the licensing requirement for IndyCar.

Chevy Renewals- Chevrolet announced extended multiyear agreements with ECR, Arrow McLaren, and Team Penske. While nearly everyone thought these agreements were foregone conclusions, the announcement makes the contracts official. I’m waiting for Honda to do the same thing. If nothing else, it’s good PR.

From last night:

Rossi Hustles IR-28 Through More Development at Sebring 

INDY NXT by Firestone Drivers Featured at Chris Griffis Memorial Test Friday at IMS 

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From IMS:

 The Chris Griffis Memorial Test is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 16 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.Testing and driver evaluations by INDY NXT by Firestone teams will take place from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ET on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile circuit.

The annual test is named in memory of Chris Griffis, the team manager of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports who passed away suddenly in September 2011.The DEX Imaging Media Center will be open to media during the test.

Live timing of the test will be available at www.indycar.com/leaderboard.

WHAT: Chris Griffis Memorial Test
WHO: INDY NXT by Firestone Teams and Drivers
.WHEN: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ET Friday, Oct. 16
WHERE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course

From last night:

Shake It Up: Palou Puts IR-28 Through Pounding Paces at Sebring 

INDY NXT by Firestone Driver Evaluation Test Set for Sept. 21 on IMS Road Course 

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From IMS:

 Five INDY NXT by Firestone teams will evaluate upcoming drivers for future consideration for INDY NXT participation in a test Monday, Sept. 21 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

The Turn 2 Viewing Mounds will be open to the public.


A full list of participating drivers and teams is listed below, subject to change.Testing hours run from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. ET.

INDY NXT by Firestone Driver Evaluation Test on IMS Road Course

AJ Foyt Racing: Teddy Musella

Andretti Global: G3 Argyros, Abbi Pulling, Alex Powell

Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR: Nikita Bedrin, Jose Garfias

Chip Ganassi Racing: Souta Arao

HMD Motorsports: Bruno Del Pino, Leonardo Escorpioni, Patricio Gonzalez, Rodrigo Gonzalez

zWHERE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

IndyCar Revises Driver License Standards

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IndyCar announced today new2 eligibility standards for participation in the NTT IndyCar Series. The new standards are an attempt to ensure rides go to drivers with qualifications and driving ability rather than anyone who can write a large enough check to get into a car.

I like that IndyNXT has a prioritize4d path to IndyCar. The top rung of the ladder series has needed more value, and these rules help provide it. The issue, as always, is seat availability.

The standards still allow for drivers from other major series to join the series [providing they have enough experience.

My concern is for teams like Dale Coyne Racing, who rely on large checks from a driver to fund their program for a season. Will Coyne need to sell a full charter or a part of one? How much time would that buy the team?

These standards will likely undergo some tweaking as they are put into practice.

Here are the new standards from iIdyCar:

I will have my Laguna Seca preview posted tomorrow morning.

Java House Grand Prix of Arlington Fast Facts

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Fr4om IndyCar. My preview will be up tomorrow morning.

 Race weekend: Friday, March 13-Sunday, March 15Track: Streets of Arlington, a 2.73-mile, 14-turn, temporary street course (counterclockwise) in Arlington, Texas

Media Links: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Entry List (PDF) | INDY NXT by Firestone Entry List (PDF) | 
Race distance: 70 laps / 191.1 miles (NTT INDYCAR SERIES) | 27 laps / 73.71 miles / 55 minutes (INDY NXT by Firestone)
Push-to-pass parameters: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: 200 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 20 seconds per activation. | INDY NXT by Firestone: 65 seconds of total time
Hybrid energy deployment parameters: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Unlimited activation with a maximum deployment of 530 kilojoules (kj) per lap
Firestone tire allotment: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Five sets primary, five sets alternate to be used during the event weekend. Teams fielding a rookie driver may use one additional set of primary tires. Teams must use one set of primary and two sets of alternate tires for at least two laps in the race. INDY NXT by Firestone: Three new sets to be used during the event weekend, with one new set used for qualifying. Another new set may be used during the race. Two carryover sets from the St. Petersburg event may be used during the prequalifying practices.

X: @Arlington_GP, @INDYCAR, @INDYNXT, #GPArlington, #INDYCARInstagram: @arlington_gp, @IndyCar, @INDYNXT, #GPArlington, #INDYCARFacebook: @arlingtongp, @IndyCar, @INDYNXT, #GPArlington, #INDYCARTikTok: @IndyCar, #INDYCAR
YouTube: @INDYCAR, @arlington_gp
Event website: www.gparlington.com/
INDYCAR website: www.indycar.com
2025 race winner:Inaugural Event
Qualifying record:Inaugural Event

FOX Sports telecasts: 
NTT INDYCAR SERIES: 
Practice 1, 4 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live); 
Practice 2, 9:30 a.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live); 
Qualifying, 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FS2 (live);
Warmup Show/Final Practice, 10 a.m. ET Sunday, FS1;
Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, 12:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, FOX (live).
Will Buxton is the play-by-play announcer for FOX’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Georgia Henneberry, Kevin Lee and Jack Harvey are the pit reporters.

| INDY NXT by Firestone: 
Practice 1, 3 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live); 
Practice 2, 11 a.m.. ET Saturday, FS1 (live); 
Qualifying, 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FS2 (live);
Race, 11 a.m. ET Sunday, FS1 (live).
Kevin Lee is the play-by-play announcer for FOX Sports’ coverage of INDY NXT by Firestone alongside analyst Jack Harvey. Georgia Henneberry is the pit reporter.

INDYCAR Radio, powered by OnlyBulls broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside driver analyst Davey Hamilton. Michael Young and Jake Query are the turn announcers. Alex Wollf, Ryan Myrehn, DJ Clark and Jonathan Grace are the pit reporters. The Java House Grand Prix of Arlington race and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practices and qualifying sessions air live on network affiliates,SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. All INDY NXT by Firestone practices, qualifying sessions and races are available on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA

.At-track schedule (All Times Local/Central Time):
Friday, March 13
2-2:45 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Practice 1, FS23:05-4:25 p.m. –
NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1 (split group format), FS2
Saturday, March 14
8:35-9:55 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2 (split group format), FS1
10:15-11 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Practice 2, FS2
1:35-3:10 p.m. – NTT P1 Award qualifying (two rounds of knockout qualifying followed by Firestone Fast Six single-car pole showdown), FS2
3:30-4 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone qualifying (two groups, 12 minutes each), FS2
Sunday, March 15
9:05-9:35 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warmup, FS1
10:06 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Arlington (27 laps/73.71 miles/55 minutes), FS1 (Live)
11:30 a.m. – FOX Pre-Race Show on air
12:10 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines”
12:17 p.m. – Java House Grand Prix of Arlington (70 laps/191.1 miles ), FOX (Live)

‘WHAT TO LOOK FOR’ AT ARLINGTON:
New points leader Newgarden aims to continue Texas win streak: One week after taking the NTT INDYCAR SERIES points lead with his thrilling win at Phoenix Raceway, Josef Newgarden heads to Texas in hopes of keeping his dominance in the state. Newgarden won the last two INDYCAR SERIES races in the state – claiming oval wins at Texas Motor Speedway in 2022 and 2023

.Pole Showdown debuts in Texas: INDYCAR will use an updated race qualifying format on the streets of Arlington, Texas. For NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying, while the “knockout” format of Segments 1 and 2 will remain unchanged, the Firestone Fast Six segment will be adjusted to single-car, single-lap qualifying beginning with the sixth-fastest qualifier from Segment 2 and working toward the fastest from the previous round. During the Firestone Fast Six at Arlington, drivers will leave pit lane and get an opportunity for one lap – starting and ending at the alternate start/finish line. Once the car enters pit lane following that driver’s attempt, the next car will be released for its attempt. Tire allotments and tire rules will remain unchanged throughout the event.

Lone Star Links: Even though there aren’t any native Texans in the field for the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, there are several ties to Texas throughout the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field
.Santino Ferrucci lives in Dallas and races for Lone Star State legend A.J. Foyt.Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward and his family moved to San Antonio when he was a boy, and he lived there through high school, attending Texas Military Institute in San Antonio.
Will Power is a Texan by marriage, as his wife, Liz, hails from Plano.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Notes: The Java House Grand Prix of Arlington will be the first NTT INDYCAR SERIES event on the streets of Arlington. However, it’s not the first time that INDYCAR SERIES cars have raced in Arlington, Texas. Arlington Downs Racetrack, a 1-mile dirt oval whose site is less than a half-mile from the current racetrack, held three points-paying races and two non-championship sweepstakes races from 1947 to 1950.The Streets of Arlington is the fourth road or street circuit to debut on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar since 2021. Chip Ganassi Racing drivers won the previous three debut races. 
Marcus Ericsson won the inaugural Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on the streets of Nashville in 2021. Alex Palou won the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear when it debuted its new course in downtown Detroit in 2023 and at The Thermal Club in 2025.The Java House Grand Prix of Arlington is the second of six temporary street course races on the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule. Alex Palou won the first street race of the season at St. Petersburg on March 1. The other street course events are scheduled for the Streets of Long Beach on April 19, Streets of Detroit on May 31, the Streets of Markham, Ontario, on Aug. 16 and the Streets of Washington, D.C., on Aug. 23.

Milestones: Scott Dixon is expected to make his 422nd INDYCAR SERIES start, extending his INDYCAR SERIES record. Dixon has made 358 consecutive starts heading into the weekend, which is the longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history…Rinus VeeKay is scheduled to make his 100th INDYCAR SERIES start in Arlington…Josef Newgarden needs to lead 58 laps to pass Dario Franchitti for ninth on the INDYCAR SERIES all-time laps led list.

INDY NXT by Firestone Notes:Lone Star State Return: INDY NXT by Firestone returns to Texas for the first time since 2019 with a race on the streets of Arlington. INDY NXT by Firestone has raced in the Lone Star State at both Texas Motor Speedway (2001-05) and Circuit of the Americas (2019).

Local favorites: Neither Nicholas Monteiro nor Alessandro de Tullio are native Texans, but the young drivers might be the local favorites. Both youngsters race for one of the Lone Star State’s legendary figures – four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt. The man nicknamed “Super Tex” is a native of Houston, and his team’s headquarters is in Waller, Texas. He was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1967 and has numerous wins in his home state, including an INDY NXT by Firestone win with grandson A.J. Foyt IV at Texas Motor Speedway in 2002
.International flair: This weekend’s race will feature drivers representing nine countries. A total of 13 drivers represent the United States. There are three drivers from Australia, two from Mexico and one each from Brazil, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Scotland.  

Saturday at St. Pete

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Today’s Schedule:

All times Eastern.

TimeSeriesSession
7:00 AMGates Open 
7:30 AM – 8:15 AMMazda MX-5 CupRace 1
8:35 AM – 9:15 AMINDY NXT by FirestonePractice 2 FS1
9:35 AM – 11:00 AMNTT INDYCAR SERIESPractice 2 FS1
11:00 AM – 11:45 AMINDY NXT by FirestoneAutograph Session – American Legion in Firestone Fan Experience
11:35 AMNASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck SeriesDriver Introductions
12:23 PMOnlyBulls Green Flag 150 at St. PetersburgNASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series – Race (80 Laps) FOX
3:45 PM – 4:15 PMINDY NXT by FirestoneQualifying FS2
4:35 PM – 6:00 PMNTT INDYCAR SERIESQualifying FS2

Good morning from St. Pete. Today IndyCar and Indy NXT comprise the bun around a NASCAR Truck sandwich.

I am sort of okay with the two series sharing a weekend, but I think IndyCar is better served having a standalone opening weeken

The weather has cleared and it appears the threat of rain is gone for the weekend.

Scott Dixon’s car can be repaired, so the teams will not have to go to a backup.

Mazda MX-5 Cup just finished their first race of the weekend. Bobby Gossett won. Earl bamber finished 8th and Sebastien Bourdais came home 11th. This series concludes the weekend program with race 2 at 4 pm tomorrow.

I’ll be back after IndyCar practice. The format remains the same as yesterday, butthe group morder is rversed.

Today’s practice groups.

AQualifying groups will be out later.