Andretti INDY NXT Portland International Raceway Race Report

Race Notes

The Andretti INDY NXT and Andretti Cape teams took on the final road course race of the season this morning. After 35 laps, the team added two more podium finishes to its growing list of INDY NXT accolades, marking the 18th race in a row, including every race this season, that an Andretti driver has scored an INDY NXT podium finish. After a chaotic opening lap that shook up the running order, teammates Louis Foster and Bryce Aron were able to settle into second and third, bringing home the 17th and 18th podiums of the 2024 season for Andretti INDY NXT.

After scoring his fifth pole of the season yesterday, Louis Foster led the field to green this morning, but was passed early on in the race by the No. 51 Dallara. Foster recorded the fastest lap of the race today and fought for the top step of the podium for the entirety of the 35-lap event, but ultimately landed in P2. Taking home his 10th podium of the season and earning valuable Championship points, Foster now leads the INDY NXT driver standings by 79 points.

Following a six-position grid penalty to the No. 18 Dallara, Bryce Aron took today’s start in sixth, one position higher from where the No. 27 qualified yesterday. Capitalizing on his new starting spot and the Lap 1 Turn 1 shuffle of drivers, Aron captured his second career podium this morning at his Portland INDY NXT debut.

After making contact with a competitor in the Lap 1 Turn 1 mix-up, rookie Salvador de Alba fell from his top-10 starting position to the back of the field. The Mexican driver then had to fight his way up the field for the rest of the race to regain positions, finishing up the day outside the top 10.

Rounding out the top 10 on today’s starting grid, Jamie Chadwick was involved in the Lap 1 Turn 1 incident forcing the No. 28 VEXT Dallara off line before rejoining the field. Despite the early-race issue, Chadwick was able to stay solid in the top 10 for the majority of the race before a late-race incident sent her off course again shuffling the No. 28 to the back of the field as the checkered flag waved.

Like teammate Aron, No. 29 Topcon Dallara driver James Roe also benefitted from a grid penalty moving him up one spot to P3 to start today’s race. Although the Irish driver had the second-best starting spot of the Andretti crew, Roe was unfortunately involved in an incident with the No. 76 Dallara in Lap 1, causing the sole yellow of the race. Roe was able to make it back to pit lane for repairs before rejoining the race at the back of the field, where he would ultimately take the checkered.

The INDY NXT by Firestone Series will return to ovals next weekend at the Milwaukee Mile for the third consecutive race weekend. Fans can tune in for the race on Saturday, August 31 at 3:50 PM ET on Peacock and INDYCAR LIVE.

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Race Results

Louis Foster No. 26 Copart / Novara Technologies Dallara

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“He [Abel] threw quite a risky move in the beginning, so I gave it to him and we just pressured him the entire race. We had so much pace. I had a little move into Turn 11 and 12, but he [Abel] turned in. How we didn’t crash, I have no idea, but it was a great fight. Overall, it was a good, fun race and we’re looking forward to next weekend in Milwaukee.”

Bryce Aron No. 27 Jaguar Land Rover Chesterfield Dallara

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“This is my first year on the Road to Indy, so there’s a lot to learn. Most of these tracks are completely new to me, this one included, so I’m really happy with the development and progress we’ve seen over these past five races and the season overall. I wouldn’t be able to do it without the Andretti guys. They give me such a great car. I also have great teammates to learn from. So, I’m looking forward to continuing to learn more in the next two races and see what we can do next time.”

Jamie Chadwick No. 28 VEXT Dallara

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“This was a bit of a race, or weekend, to forget. I was just trying to stay out of the mess and then made a couple of mistakes. Overall, it was just a messy race. I’m disappointed because I think we had a quick car this weekend, but onto the next.”

James Roe No. 29 Topcon Dallara

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“It was just mayhem at the start. I got hit going into Turn 1 and that forced us to have to take the escape road. From there, we were at the back of the field with a damaged car from the contact. Starts here are always crazy, and that was the case again this year. It’s unfortunate because we have a fast car, but we’ll just have to take it back to the ovals in Milwaukee.”

Salvador de Alba No. 2 Grupo Indi Dallara

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“It was a disappointing day for Andretti Cape. It was a really tough start and we just had nowhere to go. Pierson took us out and it’s just a shame that he wasn’t penalized for destroying my race. We had really good pace, but it was just so hard to pass. Congrats to both Louis and Bryce on the podium.”

Don Lambert Team Manager

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