Andretti INDY NXT Detroit Grand Prix Race Report
Race Notes
The Andretti INDY NXT team ended the Detroit Grand Prix weekend on a high as veteran driver Louis Foster swept the Detroit Grand Prix weekend after scoring his fifth INDY NXT pole and his second win of the 2024 season this morning in an action-packed 45-lap race.
The Brit led every lap of today’s event from green to checkered on the nine-turn circuit, capturing the victory on the momentous 500th INDY NXT by Firestone race. This is Foster’s fourth career win and his first back-to-back win following his victory on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Additionally, this positive result has gained Foster 54 Championship points, moving him up in the driver standings one spot to second place.
After landing her highest career starting position yesterday, Jamie Chadwick started the day strong holding a position in the lead pack and running as high as fourth through the first half of the race. Unfortunately, the No. 28 encountered contact with another driver causing right rear tire and forcing Chadwick to pit for repairs on Lap 27.
Following a tough qualifying session that landed Andretti Cape driver Salvador de Alba in a starting position near the back of the grid this morning, the rookie made an impressive comeback that saw him navigate through the field of 21 to make up 11 positions and ultimately end the race in the top 10, the fourth of his INDY NXT career.
Andretti Cape driver Michael d’Orlando started today’s race in the third row this morning where he fought to move his way up into the top three. While attempting to make a pass into P3, d’Orlando clipped the driver in front of him with his front wing, sending him into a spin. He was able to recover and finish the race, but was sent to the back of the field. Although, he was able to make strategic passes and move his way back up to finish the race in the top 10.
Bryce Aron started his second career street circuit just outside of the top 10 this morning where after running only three out of the 45 laps in the race, he made contact with the barrier in Turn 7, ending his day prematurely.
Returning Andretti INDY NXT driver James Roe took to the field today with the determination to overcome the incident during the qualifying session yesterday that ended with him in the wall of Turn 1. Just 10 laps into the race, the No. 29 driver was issued a drive-through penalty for blocking and was forced to give up three positions. Roe fought from P14 to maintain a position in the middle of the field for the majority of the race. Unfortunately, on Lap 42, he was involved in a multi-car incident in Turn 6 that forced him to retire from the race three laps before the checkered.
Race Results
Louis Foster No. 26 Copart / Novara Technologies Dallara
Andretti INDY NXT
P1
Started: P1
Standings: 2nd (196pts)
“I’m really happy with the win out here in Detroit today, many thanks to Andretti. We managed our push-to-pass and tires well and love the momentum that we have going. The No. 26 Copart / Novara team gave me a great car this weekend and I can’t wait to see our pace build throughout the season. We’ll take this momentum into Road America.”
Bryce Aron No. 27 Jaguar Land Rover Chesterfield Dallara
Andretti INDY NXT
P20
Started: P11
Standings: 16th (72pts)
“It was a really unfortunate end to the weekend. I made a mistake and got some oversteer and hit the inside wall, which bounced me to the outside and ended our race. It’s a shame, we had a good car and I’ve been learning all weekend making improvements. Onto the next one at Road America.”
Jamie Chadwick No. 28 VEXT Dallara
Andretti INDY NXT
P12
Started: P4
Standings: 13th (87pts)
“Today was super frustrating. It was just another one of those unfortunate situations. We were fighting in the top five and got a puncture on the rear tire. We got back up to 12th with the attrition in the race, but it was still pretty frustrating. Onto the next.”
James Roe No. 29 Topcon Dallara
Andretti INDY NXT
P16
Started: P10
Standings: 19th (110pts)
“Obviously not an ideal race today. We had a good start but got called for blocking and had to give three spots back. Then we were settling in and making our way back to where we were running until the last restart where we just lost the rear into another car. We have the speed, so we’ll have to review our day and make sure that we’re all set to come in strong in Road America.”
Salvador de Alba No. 2 Grupo Indi Dallara
Andretti Cape INDY NXT
P10
Started: P18
Standings: 11th (109pts)
“It feels good to have a P7 on the books today even though it was a rough quali yesterday. We had to fight for it but everything turned out very well in the end and the No. 3 Grupo Indi team kept their heads down. We made up a lot of on-track positions and we had a lot of luck in this race. The pace is coming and I will keep working as hard as I can to get up near the top finishes soon.”
Michael d’Orlando No. 3 Flatrock Motorclub Dallara
Andretti Cape INDY NXT
P10
Started: P5
Standings: 7th (124pts)
“The result isn’t where we wanted to be since we had a bit of contact and spun fighting with Abel for the last spot on the podium. But, I couldn’t be more proud of the Andretti Cape team and Flatrock Motorclub for giving me the opportunity to race here in Detroit. It was wicked fast today and I’m disappointed that we couldn’t bring home the result we deserved. I’m proud of the team but I made a mistake. Congrats to Louis and the team, and hoping we can try for better results in the future.”
Don Lambert Team Manager
“This was a really good day for Louis and the No. 26 crew. We had a really good car and just stayed out front all day and Louis managed his race, overall great job from him. I wish that Jamie had a better day because she had a great car and fought hard out there. I think we would have gotten a better result but just need to keep pushing hard. It was a tough day for James and Bryce, but on to the next one. We should be on track to have a good one out in Road America next weekend.”
