INDY NXT RACE REPORT: Grand Prix at Road America Race 1
Race Results
| Grand Prix at Road America Race 1 |
| Lochie Hughes | P1 |
| Seb Murray | P13 |
| Max Taylor | P12 |
| Josh Pierson | P2 |
Race Notes
- INDY NXT by Firestone returned to road course racing this afternoon at scenic Road America. Andretti Global’s INDY NXT team lined up on the grid for the 20-lap race inside the top 11, with Lochie Hughes leading the charge for the team in the second row.
- Hughes made impressive moves for the lead to cross the finish line victorious, securing his third career INDY NXT win and Andretti’s sixth win on the Wisconsin road course.
- The landmark victory marks a historic milestone for Andretti INDY NXT, serving as the program’s 100th overall INDY NXT win since its inception in 2005.
- Joining Hughes on the podium was teammate Josh Pierson, who carved through the field to secure a stellar second-place finish and his fourth career INDY NXT podium.
- Due to multiple on-track incidents, eight of the 20 laps of today’s race were run under caution.
- The doubleheader weekend continues tomorrow as INDY NXT will take on Race 2 at Road America with a shorter 18-lap event. Live coverage will be available on FS1 and FOX One.
Lochie Hughes
No. 26 Andretti Global Dallara
P1
| Started | P4 |
| Standings | P5 (259 points) |
- After wrapping up Friday practice with the second-fastest lap, Lochie Hughes carried that momentum into Group 1 qualifying. Hughes consistently fought for the top spot on the leaderboard, cycling through the top three before ultimately securing a fourth-place starting position.
- Starting on the second row, the Australian driver launched into second place as soon as the green flag waved.
- Utilizing multiple restarts to his advantage, Hughes executed an impressive pass to seize the lead following the Lap 8 restart.
- Keeping a clean race, Hughes managed to create a substantial gap in the lead to cross the finish line in first, capturing his third INDY NXT career victory and the 100th win for the Andretti INDY NXT team.
“This win has taken a lot longer than I originally expected, but it was a good way to do it, going from fourth to first with a few cool outside moves into Turn 1. I knew we could do it. It just doesn’t seem like everything has come together recently, so it’s nice when it finally does. I knew it was only a matter of time. It’s been more frustration than anything. Obviously, it takes a bit of pressure off, and it’s a good result. I feel like it’s good for the team to get their 100th win as well.”
Seb Murray
No. 27 Megatron Dallara
P13
| Started | P10 |
| Standings | P4 (276 points) |
- Seb Murray battled for pace in the competitive Group 2 qualifying session but finished up just outside the top 10. However, after post-qualifying grid penalties shifted the field, he took the green flag from 10th place, a three-position improvement from his Road America starting spot last year.
- Murray dropped two positions on the opening lap and struggled to make forward progress in traffic, moving back one additional spot. On Lap 18, he reclaimed 13th place, where he ultimately took the checkered flag.
“First race done here at Road America, and just a really messy race, to be honest. We had a good start, but someone had a collision in front of us, and we just got caught up in that, so we went back a couple of places. But the 27 car was great; massive thank you to the team. But racing for the deeper side of the top 10, we went off just because of another collision in front of us, and then that was the race, really. Just really unlucky, to be honest. Everything was out of our hands, but the pace is good, so we’ll go get them tomorrow.”
Max Taylor
No. 28 Susan G. Komen Dallara
P12
| Started | P13 |
| Standings | P4 (276 points) |
- Despite clocking the fourth-quickest time in Group 2 qualifying this morning, Max Taylor’s No. 28 entry did not pass post-session technical inspection. This resulted in a six-spot grid penalty for both of this weekend’s races at Road America.
- Taylor immediately cut through the field, breaking into the top 10 on the opening lap and advancing to ninth on the Lap 4 restart.
- Due to issues with the left-rear tire, Taylor was forced to pit for a replacement during the full course yellow on Lap 9, dropping him to the back of the field for the restart.
- With the fresh tire, Taylor managed to power through the field, gaining eight positions to eventually take the checkered in 12th place.
“Unfortunate race. Honestly, a tough day overall. It was frustrating in qualifying to get the penalty and then in the race to have the issue with the tire while we were on for a good result. I probably could’ve been on the podium with my teammates. Props to them; they did great. We’re pushing for tomorrow. I still think that we have a shot at a good result in Race 2.”
Josh Pierson
No. 29 Starchive Dallara
P2
| Started | P5 |
| Standings | P8 (199 points) |
- Josh Pierson was the top performer for Andretti in Group 2 of qualifying this morning, locking in the third-quickest time and securing him a spot in the third row for today’s race.
- Although he dropped a position at the start, Pierson capitalized on the Lap 4 restart to jump into fourth. He maintained the position through the Lap 8 restart just before the track returned to a full course yellow.
- Pierson used the Lap 11 restart to break into the top three, then executed a strategic last-lap pass to secure second place, marking his fourth career INDY NXT podium and his best career finish at Road America.
“It was a really great race from the No. 29 crew and everyone involved. Honestly, just a phenomenal day for us. I started in fifth and was able to work my way forward. I was getting a little nervous with push-to-pass usage, especially later in the race. I used a lot on the restarts to work my way forward, but I wanted to be up there because I knew we had the pace to run up front. At that point, it was about managing. I wanted to save some in the tank for the last lap. I was getting really good runs out of the carousel and on de Tullio, but I thought, let’s just save for one really good go. This No. 29 Andretti Global crew has done such a great job. It means the world to these guys and to me. They really deserve it. Everyone on this team deserves it. Really happy to get this result for them. Big congratulations to Lochie and a really great result for Andretti.”
Don Lambert
INDY NXT Team Manager
“It was a pretty good day for Andretti Global INDY NXT. Obviously, Lochie getting in front there and really running the gamut was impressive. That marked our 100th INDY NXT win, which shows years of a lot of hard work by this team. The guys are doing a tremendous job. All the credit goes to all team members and all the drivers who won races for us over the years. With Max, it’s been nothing but sorrow for that guy. He’s just really struggled this weekend, unfortunately. He was fast, but we had a technical tech infraction, and it put him back. Then it looked like we had a leaky left rear tire and just could not get a break. So for Lochie and Josh, it was a great points day. We will see what we have tomorrow.”
