Indy NXT - Laguna II

The Laguna II indylights race takes place at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca as part of the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey weekend. This doubleheader event features two separate races at the California road course, with Laguna II representing the second race of the weekend. The 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season brings the premier developmental series for open-wheel racing to one of North America's most challenging circuits.

About INDY NXT by Firestone

INDY NXT by Firestone serves as the top level of the Road to Indy development pathway. The series prepares drivers for careers in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The 2026 season includes 17 races total, making it the largest schedule in recent years. The series champion receives a scholarship package that includes two IndyCar tests and entry into two races, including the Indianapolis 500.

The series competes alongside the NTT INDYCAR SERIES at the Laguna Seca event. This positioning allows fans to watch both the future stars and current champions of American open-wheel racing at the same venue.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca sits in Monterey County, California, near the cities of Monterey and Salinas. The road course measures 2.238 miles and features 11 turns. The track's most famous feature is the Corkscrew, a steep descent that drops six stories over 450 feet.

Monterey County owns the facility, and Friends of Laguna Seca manages its operations. The circuit has hosted professional racing since 1957. The current name reflects a sponsorship agreement that started in 2018.

2026 Season Field

The 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season features 24 entries, the largest field since 2009. Multiple teams will compete at Laguna Seca with confirmed lineups and partnerships.

Confirmed Teams and Drivers

HMD Motorsports fields four cars for Salvador de Alba, Jack Beeton, Enzo Fittipaldi, and Tymek Kucharczyk. The team also maintains alliances with other entries.

Cusick Morgan Motorsports runs cars for Nicolas Stati and Juan Manuel Correa, partnering with HMD Motorsports. AJ Foyt Racing enters Nicholas Monteiro and Alessandro De Tullio, also in alliance with HMD.

ABEL Motorsports campaigns four cars for Max Garcia, Jordan Missig, Myles Rowe, and Collin Kaminsky. Andretti Global fields Lochie Hughes, Seb Murray, Max Taylor, and Josh Pierson.

Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR confirms Nikita Johnson with one seat open, operating with Ed Carpenter Racing. Chip Ganassi Racing expands to four cars for 2026, with all seats currently open. Juncos Hollinger Racing plans a two-car entry with both seats open.

Technical Specifications

All INDY NXT teams use the Dallara IL-15 spec chassis. The chassis includes a halo safety device added in 2021. The series uses a spec AER engine across all entries. Firestone supplies all tires for the championship.

For 2026, the series introduces new Xtrac six-speed transmissions to replace the previous Ricardo units. This update includes a new semi-automatic shifting system. The cars maintain the same aerodynamic package for both road courses and ovals, unlike the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Drivers can deploy a push-to-pass system on road and street courses. This system provides strategic options during races.

Series History at Laguna Seca

The indylights series has competed at Laguna Seca across different eras. Previous Indy Lights races took place at the circuit in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996. The series rebranded from Indy Lights to INDY NXT by Firestone in 2023, continuing its role as the final step in the Road to Indy ladder system.

What Makes Laguna II Special

The Laguna II race concludes the doubleheader weekend at one of the world's top road courses. The circuit's elevation changes and technical corners test driver skill and car setup. The Corkscrew turn challenges drivers with its blind entry and steep descent.

The doubleheader format at Laguna Seca could influence the 2026 INDY NXT championship battle. Two races at the same circuit reward consistency and adaptation. Teams must optimize their setups across both events while managing equipment and strategy.

The 2026 season expansion brings the largest field in over a decade to Laguna Seca. This creates competitive racing with multiple teams and driver lineups. The series showcases the next generation of open-wheel talent at a circuit that has hosted professional racing for nearly 70 years.

Fans who follow the Laguna II indylights race will see future INDYCAR stars compete on the same weekend as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES finale. The combination of challenging circuit layout, championship implications, and talented drivers makes this a significant event in the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season.