Andretti Global Primed for High-Speed Oval Action in the Music City
The Andretti Global team will transition to oval racing this weekend as they head to the Music City to take on Nashville Superspeedway. The unique 1.33-mile, D-shaped oval features 14 degrees of banking and has hosted multiple INDYCAR and INDY NXT races, consistently delivering fast, close-quarters competition.
Coming off a strong road-course run highlighted by Kyle Kirkwood’s podium finish at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Andretti INDYCAR is looking to keep their podium streak alive as they hunt for their fifth consecutive top-three result this weekend in Nashville. Additionally, Andretti INDY NXT is aiming to replicate their strong oval performance from earlier this season at World Wide Technology Raceway, where Josh Pierson secured a podium finish to lead three Andretti drivers into the top six. Both teams are ready to push the limits to secure strong results this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway.
Race Details
| Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix – Nashville Superspeedway |
| Round | 12/18 |
| Track Type | Oval |
| Turns | 4 |
| Laps | 300 Laps |
| Track Length | 1.3 Miles |
| Music City Grand Prix – Nashville Superspeedway |
| Round | 13/17 |
| Track Type | Oval |
| Turns | 4 |
| Laps | 65 Laps |
| Track Length | 1.3 Miles |
Fast Facts
INDYCAR
- As INDYCAR returns to Nashville Superspeedway for the third consecutive season, Andretti INDYCAR brings a long history of success to the 1.33-mile oval with one pole (Kirkwood – 2024), three wins (Kanaan – 2004, Franchitti – 2005 and Herta – 2024), five podiums, 14 top-five finishes and 415 laps led in seven starts.
- Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson have also found success in the Music City. Kirkwood became the first American driver to win on the Downtown Nashville street circuit in 2023, while Ericsson won the inaugural Big Machine Grand Prix in 2021.
Will Power
- This weekend marks Will Power’s fourth start at Nashville Superspeedway as he looks to capture his 11th career INDYCAR oval victory.
- Last year, Power started 12th and worked his way to the lead at the halfway point of the race. A pit road issue under yellow cost the Australian multiple laps, and he ultimately finished 20th.
Kyle Kirkwood
- Kyle Kirkwood returns to Nashville Superspeedway looking to continue his success at a track where he earned his first career oval podium, led 67 laps and has never finished outside the top 10.
- In 2024, Kirkwood started 11th and broke into the top five within the first six laps. Running a four-stop strategy, he finished sixth after spending much of the race inside the top 10.
Marcus Ericsson
- Making his third start in Nashville this weekend, Marcus Ericsson returns to the oval after earning a podium finish at World Wide Technology Raceway last month.
- Last year, Ericsson gained a position on the opening lap and steadily worked his way through the field with the help of quick pit stops. Running as high as second, the Swede ultimately finished 15th after struggling with grip in the closing stages of the race.
| Andretti INDYCAR Championship Standings |
| Will Power | 209 points | 14th |
| Kyle Kirkwood | 348 points | 2nd |
| Marcus Ericsson | 222 points | 10th |
INDY NXT
- The Andretti Global INDY NXT team will transition to oval racing as they make their sixth race appearance at Nashville Superspeedway this weekend. In just five previous starts at the Tennessee oval, Andretti has compiled an impressive record with one win (Foster – 2024), two poles (Foster – 2024, De Alba – 2025), seven podiums, 12 top fives and 111 laps led.
- The 1.33-mile concrete oval holds a special place in team history, having hosted Andretti’s back-to-back season Championship celebrations with Louis Foster (2024) and Dennis Hauger (2025).
Lochie Hughes
- Lochie Hughes returns to Nashville Superspeedway for his second career INDY NXT start. The Australian driver put together a solid performance here last season, walking away with a top-five finish.
- Hughes is looking to carry over the momentum from this season’s previous oval race weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway, where his qualifying lap secured him the pole position.
Seb Murray
- Seb Murray is set to make his second Nashville Superspeedway appearance this weekend after crossing the finish line just outside of the top 10 during his debut at the track last season.
Max Taylor
- Max Taylor will make his INDY NXT racing debut at Nashville Superspeedway. The American driver scored an impressive oval racing debut earlier this season at World Wide Technology Raceway with a top-five finish.
- During off-season testing in Nashville earlier this year, Taylor topped the charts by posting the quickest lap time of the opening session.
Josh Pierson
- Making his third career INDY NXT start at Nashville Superspeedway, Josh Pierson brings valuable track experience to the Andretti INDY NXT lineup. Both times that he has competed on the Tennessee oval, he has scored finishes in the top 10.
- During off-season testing at this track this year, Pierson posted fast lap times in the top three for both Sessions 1 and 2.
- Pierson is the only Andretti INDY NXT to have competed on the downtown Nashville street-circuit configuration in 2023 before the Series transitioned this race to an oval event. He scored a top-10 finish.
| Andretti INDY NXT Driver Championship Standings |
| Lochie Hughes | 319 points | 5th |
| Seb Murray | 228 points | 13th |
| Max Taylor | 331 points | 4th |
| Josh Pierson | 254 points | 10th |
INDYCAR Team Quotes
Will Power
No. 26 TWG AI Honda
“Nashville is always a challenging race, and with it now being 300 laps, it’s going to be an even bigger test. It’s a long race and a lot can happen, so you’ve got to execute from start to finish and keep yourself near the front. If we can do that, we’ll give ourselves a chance to fight for our first win of the season.”
Kyle Kirkwood
No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda
“After a week off, I’m excited to get to Nashville. It’s one of the last few ovals on the schedule before we head to the Milwaukee doubleheader. We’ve been very good around Nashville, so I have high hopes for this race. Historically, it has been at the end of the season when it has been a bit cooler out, but this year it’s going to be extremely hot, so that might throw a curveball for everybody. It should be a fun weekend, and I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing what we can do in the Sam’s Club Honda.”
Marcus Ericsson
No. 28 Delaware Life Honda
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to oval racing this weekend. We obviously had a very good run at St. Louis and almost got the win there, so I really feel like we’re onto something with our oval package this year. Nashville Superspeedway is a very interesting track that produces some good racing. Obviously, the alternate tire will be something we need to take into account this weekend. It’s a bit unusual to have that on an oval, but we’ve had it at Nashville before, so we have some experience with it. It’s going to be hot, and with the race extended to 300 laps, it’s going to make things even tougher for both the drivers and the crews in the heat we’re expecting this weekend. So, it’s a challenging race ahead, but I’m ready to go after it with the Delaware Life crew.”
Ron Ruzewski
Team Principal
“After a weekend off, we’re looking forward to getting back on track and back to an oval. Nashville is unique in that we have option tires that are required to be run, similar to road course events. That rule brings another level of strategy to the race that we don’t normally have in oval racing. The tire rule, along with the competition in INDYCAR, has made Nashville a really exciting race. Will, Kyle and Marcus have all been quick here in the past. We also recently completed some oval testing, and we hope that preparation will help put all three drivers in a position to fight for the win.”
INDY NXT Team Quotes
Lochie Hughes
No. 26 Andretti Global Dallara
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Nashville this weekend. Racing on an oval is always exciting, and Nashville is a place where confidence and commitment are really important. We’ve been working hard as a team and had a strong test day here in April, so I’m focusing on putting together a strong weekend, maximizing every session and fighting for a good result.”
Seb Murray
No. 27 Megatron Dallara
“I’m excited to go back to Nashville, it’s a great oval to race on and my favorite on the calendar; it’s just so fast. Right now, I’m focusing on having a strong last quarter of the season. We’ve had a really unlucky middle of the year, so we’re hoping to turn that around this weekend after having so much pace in Mid-Ohio but just running into some issues in the race. The team and I are working hard to make sure that we arrive on Saturday ready to go for a fast Practice 1 and score some strong points this weekend.”
Max Taylor
No. 28 Susan G. Komen Dallara
“Ready for a switch up and to be back oval racing this weekend! Nashville is an awesome high-speed track, and we had a good test there, so excited to learn more and get back on the podium”
Josh Pierson
No. 29 Starchive Dallara
“Nashville, here we come. After St. Louis, I know as a group we have positive momentum on the ovals, and I’m feeling as confident as ever in my Andretti Global No. 29 crew. I’m more than ready to race for more hardware and that next step on up the podium.”
Don Lambert
Team Principal
“The Andretti INDY NXT team is ready to head to Nashville Superspeedway this weekend. We had a good open test in April at this track, so the drivers and crew are well prepared to return and set some fast laps, which I know we can do. The drivers need to take what they’ve learned so far this season to execute and score the points needed to stay alive in the Championship.”
