INDY NXT RACE REPORT: Grand Prix of Monterey Race 1
Race Results
| Grand Prix of Monterey Race 1 |
| Lochie Hughes | P14 |
| Seb Murray | P22 |
| Max Taylor | P7 |
| Josh Pierson | P1 |
Race Notes
- This afternoon, the Andretti Global INDY NXT team took on Race 1 of the Grand Prix of Monterey doubleheader weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to close out the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone Season.
- Josh Pierson put on a flawless performance this afternoon, leading the entire race from green to checkered to secure his career-first INDY NXT victory and the 101st INDY NXT win for Andretti Global. Joining Pierson in the top 10 today is Max Taylor, who drove his way up to seventh place from near the back of the field.
- Today’s race saw three caution periods, lasting a total of 10 laps.
- The 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season will officially come to a close tomorrow after Race 2 of the Grand Prix of Monterey, with the green flag set to wave at 12:30 PM ET.
Lochie Hughes
No. 26 Andretti Global Dallara
P14
| Started | P9 |
| Standings | P6 (418 points) |
- Starting just inside the top 10 for Race 1 of the doubleheader weekend at Laguna Seca, Lochie Hughes made his third INDY NXT career Laguna Seca race start today.
- Hughes was unfortunately forced off track in the hairpin just after the green flag waved to avoid an incident ahead of him. This sent the No. 26 driver to the back of the field.
- Fighting his way back up the field, Hughes made up some ground, running as high as 13th by Lap 22.
- On the Lap 27 restart, Hughes was once again forced off track, sending him back to 14th, where he ultimately took the checkered flag.
“Pretty disappointing race today. We opted to start today’s race on the old tire and save the new tire for tomorrow. I had an opportunity at the start to make up some positions and went for it, but unfortunately one of the cars spun in front of me. I had nowhere to go but to take avoiding action through the gravel and went back to last. I think we made our way up to around 13th, and then I got pushed off the track near the end. I think we finished 14th. So, yeah, disappointing day. There wasn’t much we really could’ve done.”
Seb Murray
No. 27 Megatron Dallara
P22
| Started | P16 |
| Standings | P13 (287 points) |
- Also making his third career INDY NXT start at Laguna today, Seb Murray took the green flag from 16th this afternoon.
- Murray made strong progress at the start of the race, making up five positions in the first five laps.
- In the Lap 15 restart, Murray briefly broke into the top 10 before falling to 12th ahead of the Full Course Yellow on Lap 17.
- Shortly after, on Lap 22, Murray lost the rear of the car, forcing him to lose control and make contact with the No. 57, bringing his Race 1 in Laguna to a premature end.
“Not how we wanted to end Race 1. We came into this weekend thinking we’d be able to seal our first win or at least get our first podium of the season, but it’s turned out to be a pretty hard weekend. We’ve had pace throughout practice, but we’ve really struggled with the car balance. I was just so loose during the race that something like that was bound to happen, unfortunately. I lost the rear on the exit of the corner and hit another car. We’ll see what the team can do with the car for tomorrow, but that’s the next thing we can do.”
Max Taylor
No. 28 Susan G. Komen Dallara
P7
| Started | P17 |
| Standings | P4 (454 points) |
- Starting directly behind teammate Murray, Max Taylor started today’s race in 17th after struggling to put down a strong qualifying lap earlier today.
- Capitalizing on a strong start, Taylor quickly carved his way up through the field, breaking into the top 10 by the second lap.
- Taylor ran as high as seventh before the Lap 15 restart, but in an attempt to make a pass into sixth, the car got loose, and he began to lose momentum, shifting into ninth before the caution period shortly after.
- In a final push at the end of the race, Taylor managed to make strategic passes into seventh place, where he crossed the finish line, earning him the Jostens Biggest Mover award and his second top-10 finish at Laguna Seca.
“We were able to get a good result out of today after qualifying really bad. I really don’t know what happened, but in the race we had really good speed. The No. 27 Susan G. Komen car was super fast, and I made it to seventh from 17th, which was pretty good with how hard it is to pass around here. Starting a bit better tomorrow, I honestly want to try and do the same thing and hopefully get on the podium which I really think we can. Thanks to everyone at Andretti for today.”
Josh Pierson
No. 29 Starchive Dallara
P1
| Started | P1 |
| Standings | P11 (357 points) |
- After a standout qualifying session earlier today by Josh Pierson, where he earned his second consecutive pole position, the No. 29 driver led the field to green for the first race of the weekend.
- In an impressive drive, Pierson put on a flawless performance, holding strong to the lead through the three restarts and leading all 35 laps of the race to earn his career-first INDY NXT victory and his third consecutive podium finish at Laguna Seca.
“This is a big relief. I think the pole position did a lot for me in Milwaukee. It was really great for my confidence level. I feel like this series has really mentally taken a toll on me over the years, especially coming from the World Endurance Championship and everything I was able to do there. It’s been tough here. Coming back into a formula car wasn’t easy. I’ve had to put so much hard work into this, and I can’t thank everybody at Andretti Global and this No. 29 crew enough. These guys kept believing in me. Nobody ever doubted me, even when I doubted myself. I’m super grateful, and it’s such a relief to finally be here. I knew we had a fast car today and that if I could just time the restarts right, we would be in good shape. Everybody on this Andretti crew has done amazing, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Don Lambert
INDY NXT Team Manager
“It’s a great day for Josh Pierson. He’s worked so hard and bounced back from Milwaukee; it was great to see him and the No. 29 team make it happen. Hopefully we can carry this momentum into tomorrow and have another good run. We’ll see what we have to finish out the season.”
