Andretti INDYCAR and Andretti INDY NXT to Take on Streets of St. Petersburg in Season Opener
The wait is over for wheel-to-wheel action as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone return to the Streets of St. Petersburg for the highly anticipated 2025 season opener on the iconic street circuit. Winding through the downtown streets and a section of Albert Whitted Airport’s runway, the 1.8-mile, 14-turn circuit will once again play host to the premier open-wheel racing series’ opening race for the 15th time. The tight corners in Turn 1 have proven to be challenging for drivers to maneuver over the years, causing on-track chaos at times. In contrast to the high-traffic turns, the track also features long straights with heavy braking zones providing drivers with valuable overtaking opportunities. Despite its physicality, the Andretti organization has a long, successful history across the board on the challenging Florida street circuit with 10 wins and over 15 poles between the INDYCAR and INDY NXT teams making this weekend’s event the perfect time to kick off another season.
Race Details
| INDYCAR – Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg |
| Round | 1/17 |
| Track Type | Street Circuit |
| Turns | 14 Turns |
| Laps | 100 Laps |
| Track Length | 1.8 Miles |
| INDY NXT – Grand Prix of St. Petersburg |
| Round | 1/14 |
| Track Type | Street Circuit |
| Turns | 14 Turns |
| Laps | 45 Laps |
| Track Length | 1.8 Miles |
Notes
INDYCAR
- In 20 starts at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Andretti INDYCAR has recorded three wins (Wheldon-2005, Hinchcliffe-2013 and C. Herta-2021), five poles, 13 podiums and 27 top-five finishes.
- This weekend will mark the 20th anniversary of Andretti teammates Dan Wheldon, Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti and Bryan Herta going 1-2-3-4 on the Streets of St. Petersburg, an impressive feat that has not been replicated to this day.
Colton Herta
- The 2025 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will mark Colton Herta’s 100th INDYCAR start.
- Colton Herta has made six starts on the Streets of St. Petersburg in INDYCAR, notably recording one win (2021), one pole (2021) and leading 106 laps.
- Herta’s 2021 victory saw him set a race record by leading 97 of the race’s 100 laps.
- Last year saw Herta finish the weekend in St. Petersburg with a top-five finish, marking the 26th of his INDYCAR career at the time.
Kyle Kirkwood
- Kyle Kirkwood is set to make his fourth INDYCAR start on the Streets of St. Petersburg this weekend.
- Following a disappointing qualifying session last year that saw Kirkwood start the race near the back of the grid, Kirkwood made an impressive comeback that saw the American make up six positions. He ultimately finished 12th, but was officially categorized 10th after multiple penalties were later issued by INDYCAR.
Marcus Ericsson
- Marcus Ericsson is returning to the site of his sole 2023 INDYCAR win this weekend as he prepares to make his seventh start at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
- Last year’s race on the Florida street course saw Ericsson suffer an issue with an air filter, resulting in a loss of power and forcing him to retire from the race early on Lap 54.
| NTT INDYCAR SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS |
| Driver Championship Standings |
| Colton Herta | 0 points | NA |
| Kyle Kirkwood | 0 points | NA |
| Marcus Ericsson | 0 points | NA |
INDY NXT
- In 19 appearances on the streets of St. Petersburg dating back to 2005, Andretti INDY NXT has recorded seven wins (Ma. Andretti-2005, Matos-2008, Veach-2014, C. Herta-2017, O’Ward-2018, Kirkwood-2021, Brabham-2022), 11 pole positions, 18 podiums, 27 top-five finishes and a total of 346 laps led.
Lochie Hughes
- Lochie Hughes will make his first-ever INDY NXT race start this weekend on the Streets of St. Petersburg. During offseason testing with the team, Hughes has recorded strong lap times, including a performance at Sebring International Raceway that saw the Australian run in the top three for most of the day.
- Hughes competed in the season opener Florida street race last year while racing in the USF Pro 2000 Series, where he excelled throughout the doubleheader weekend by leading practice, capturing the pole position, winning Race 1 and landing on the podium in Race 2.
Salvador de Alba
- Salvador de Alba will make his second INDY NXT start at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg this weekend, this time with the Andretti INDY NXT team in the No. 27 Grupo Indi Dallara.
- Last year, de Alba finished his INDY NXT debut on the Streets of St. Petersburg just inside the top 10 after making up six positions from his starting position on the grid.
- De Alba is starting the 2025 INDY NXT season on a high note following a double victory last weekend in the first SuperCopa GTM Pro 1 event of the year at the Autódromo Yucatán.
Dennis Hauger
- Dennis Hauger will make his American open-wheel racing debut this weekend in St. Petersburg.
- Hauger got his first taste of INDY NXT racing at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course last fall, and later at additional tests at Sebring International Raceway and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Norwegian driver has shown strong pace so far, leading the most sessions of any INDY NXT driver across the past three Series-wide tests.
- Although this weekend will mark Hauger’s first time racing on a temporary street circuit in the States, Hauger has experience competing on street circuits in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, including starts at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit (P6 – 2022, P5 – 2023, P3 -2024, SR winner – 2024), Albert Park Circuit (SR winner – 2023, SR P2 – 2024, pole – 2024), Circuit de Monaco (SR winner – 2022, P5 – 2023, P6 – 2024, SR P3 – 2024) and the Baku City Circuit (FR winner – 2022, P6 – 2023, P9 – 2024).
James Roe
- James Roe is set to make his fourth INDY NXT career start on the Streets of St. Petersburg this weekend.
- Last year saw the Irish driver start the race strong, steadily gaining positions. Unfortunately, soon after the green flag, he faced mechanical issues forcing him to pit lane for adjustments.
Seb Murray
- Like teammate Hauger, Seb Murray will make his Stateside racing debut this weekend in the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with the Andretti Cape INDY NXT team. This will be a weekend of firsts for the INDY NXT rookie as the Scottish driver takes on a temporary street circuit for the first time.
- Murray has performed well during offseason testing with the Andretti Cape team, notably running in the top three in the final session of the Laguna Seca test.
Ricardo Escotto
- Ricardo Escotto is set to make his first INDY NXT appearance in St. Petersburg this weekend following appearances in 2023 and 2024 with the USF Pro 2000 Series.
- This will be Escotto’s second INDY NXT street circuit race start after his partial INDY NXT season last year saw the Mexican driver compete at the Detroit Grand Prix.
- While testing at Sebring International Raceway, Escotto came out strong in the first session by joining teammate Hauger in the top three fastest lap times of the day.
| INDY NXT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS |
| Andretti INDY NXT Driver Championship Standings |
| Lochie Hughes | 0 points | NA |
| Salvador de Alba | 0 points | NA |
| Dennis Hauger | 0 points | NA |
| James Roe | 0 points | NA |
| Andretti Cape INDY NXT Driver Championship Standings |
| Seb Murray | 0 points | NA |
| Ricardo Escotto | 0 points | NA |
Team Quotes
Colton Herta
No. 26 Gainbridge Honda
“Racing on the Streets of St. Petersburg is special for me this year because it will be my 100th start in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. It’s hard to believe that I’ve already reached this milestone, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do in the Gainbridge Honda to celebrate 100 starts. This track is always a tough challenge. It’s the longest street course we race on, and it takes both physical and mental endurance to win. We’ve been strong there in the past, and I’m looking forward to building on that success and pushing for a strong result to kick off the season.”
Kyle Kirkwood
No. 27 Chili’s Honda
“After a long offseason, I can’t wait to kick off the season in St. Petersburg. It’s exciting that we’ll have Chili’s on the No. 27 for their INDYCAR debut—our whole team loves Chili’s. This race is always a memorable one for me. St. Petersburg is just a three-hour drive from my hometown, and having family and friends in the stands makes it feel like home. Racing there always holds a special meaning, and with Andretti’s strong history at the track, we’re ready to continue that momentum.”
Marcus Ericsson
No. 28 Bryant Honda
“The first race on the schedule is always exciting, and St. Petersburg is the perfect place to start the season. The energy there is amazing with so many fans showing up to cheer us on, and the track itself is a real challenge with a long frontstretch and a tight, twisty middle part of the lap. It’s a circuit that requires a lot from the driver and the car setup-wise, but with a win there in the past, we’re hoping to replicate that success in the No. 28 Bryant Honda this weekend.”
Rob Edwards
Chief Operating Officer
“After a long offseason we’re excited to be going racing again. The continuity of having Colton, Kyle and Marcus together again is a huge positive. All three drivers work very well together and with the team, which allows us to build on the successes from last year. A lot of great work has been done away from the track over the past five months, and now it’s showtime. We finished the 2024 season on a high in Nashville and we’re aiming to build on the progress we’ve made as we start the 2025 season.”
Lochie Hughes
No. 26 McGinley Clinic/USF Pro Championship Dallara
“I’m looking forward to getting to St. Pete this week, I always love starting off the season in Florida with the nice weather and a fun street circuit. It’s a track that I’ve won at the past two years in USF [Pro 2000], so hopefully we can bring that success over to the INDY NXT side. Overall, I’m excited to get the season going with the Andretti guys.”
Salvador de Alba
No. 27 Grupo Indi Dallara
“St. Petersburg is a super fun place to have the first race of the season, and I’m happy to be back again with Andretti to experience it. The track itself is great, and I really enjoy the competitive racing that it produces. With a great city and excited fans, you can feel the thrill around this race. We’re ready to go!”
Dennis Hauger
No. 28 Rental Group Dallara
“It’s the first race of the year in St. Pete, and I’m really looking forward to getting started. There are a lot of new factors going into this race weekend: new track, new team, new car, but I’m excited to take them on and see how we end up. The pace we’ve had at testing has been strong, so I’m just ready to get things going out there on the track.”
James Roe
No. 29 Topcon Dallara
“We’re getting the season started in St. Pete, and it’s great to be back in Florida for another INDY NXT season opener. The goal for this race is to come out with a nice foundation of Championship points. I’m excited to be back with Andretti and the No. 29 Topcon crew, so let’s start this year off right.”
Seb Murray
No. 2 Dream Racing Dubai Dallara
“We’re finally getting the season underway in St. Pete, and I can’t wait. There’s been a lot of change for me recently coming over to compete in the States, but INDY NXT is a great next step for me that opens up a lot of new opportunities. This will be my first time racing on a street circuit, so I’m excited to get out there and get that experience.”
Ricardo Escotto
No. 3 Frank’s Red Hot Dallara
“After what’s felt like a long offseason, I’m really excited to get back in the car racing again in St. Pete. I’m glad that we get to start the season at a track that I loved in USF (Pro 2000) so that I feel prepared to experience it with a new series and new team this time. I’m working hard to be at my best this weekend and start the season out right.”
Don Lambert
Team Manager
“The Andretti INDY NXT team is excited to get the season started in St. Pete again this year. We have a great 2025 driver lineup and plan to fight for another Championship. Our team’s offseason testing has shown good speed and great chemistry between the crews and drivers – it’s great to see them working well together. I know that our entire team is ready to take on any challenges that come our way this year, and our main goal is to execute on track.”
