Indy NXT - Grand Prix at Road America

The Grand Prix at Road America brings INDY NXT by Firestone racing to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin for a doubleheader weekend in 2026. This event features two races of the indylights series at one of America's most historic racing facilities. Road America serves as a proving ground for drivers who aim to advance to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The races take place alongside the main IndyCar event, giving fans a full weekend of open-wheel competition.

Road America Circuit

Road America stands as a legendary permanent road course near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The track opened in 1955 and has preserved its original layout for nearly seven decades. The circuit stretches 4.048 miles and features 14 turns that challenge drivers with natural elevation changes and high-speed sections.

The facility sits on 640 acres of land and uses the natural glacial Kettle Moraine topography. Drivers reach speeds near 200 mph on the long front stretch. The backside of the circuit includes "the Kink," a demanding high-speed turn that tests driver skill and courage. The track holds FIA Grade Two certification and can accommodate over 150,000 spectators across its grandstands and natural viewing areas.

Race Format for 2026

The 2026 Grand Prix at Road America includes two separate INDY NXT races during the weekend. All indylights races in 2026 happen during NTT INDYCAR SERIES event weekends. This structure provides direct support for driver development programs.

The qualifying format for road courses splits the field into two groups based on practice session times. Each group receives 10 minutes of track time. Drivers complete two consecutive timed laps, and the fastest combined time earns pole position. If a car causes a red flag during qualifying, officials disallow its best two laps and the driver cannot continue in that session.

Teams and Drivers

The 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season expects a grid of 24 entries. Several teams have confirmed their lineups for the Grand Prix at Road America. HMD Motorsports fields four cars with Jack Beeton, Enzo Fittipaldi, Tymek Kucharczyk, and Salvador de Alba. Chip Ganassi Racing also runs four entries with Bryce Aron, Niels Koolen, James Roe, and Carson Etter.

Abel Motorsports brings Max Garcia, Jordan Missig, Colin Kaminsky, and Myles Rowe to the grid. Andretti Global runs Max Taylor, Josh Pierson, and Lochie Hughes. Cusick Morgan Motorsports enters Nicolas Stati and Juan Manuel Correa. A.J. Foyt Racing fields Alessandro de Tullio and Nicholas Monteiro, while Cape Motorsports runs Nikita Johnson and Matteo Nannini.

New teams join the indylights series in 2026, including Juncos Hollinger Racing, A.J. Foyt Racing, and Ed Carpenter Racing. Some teams operate through partnerships, such as A.J. Foyt Racing with HMD Motorsports and Ed Carpenter Racing with Cape Motorsports. A new rule limits each team to four cars maximum, which creates opportunities for additional team entries.

Technical Specifications

INDY NXT competitors drive Dallara IL-15 chassis. These cars serve as the final step before drivers move to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The carbon chassis and bodywork feature a single-seat configuration with a halo cockpit protection device that was introduced in 2021.

Engine and Performance

Advanced Engine Research (AER) supplies the P63 turbocharged engine for all indylights competitors. This inline four-cylinder engine has a 2.0-liter displacement and produces 450 horsepower. Drivers can access an additional 50 horsepower through the "Push to Pass" system. The engines last an entire season without requiring a rebuild.

Components and Systems

The cars use an Xtrac 6-speed sequential gearbox with electronic shift actuation. Road course configurations weigh approximately 1,430 pounds. Firestone provides all tires for the series, which helps drivers become familiar with the same tire performance they will experience in IndyCar racing. The cars can exceed speeds of 190 mph.

Safety features meet FIA specifications and INDYCAR standards. Each car includes headrests, specially designed seats, a secondary pedal bulkhead, and zylon panels for driver protection.

History of Open-Wheel Racing at Road America

Road America has hosted open-wheel racing for decades. CART held races at the facility from 1982 to 2007. The IndyCar Series returned to Road America in 2016. The developmental series now known as INDY NXT by Firestone has raced at this track through various incarnations, starting as the Infiniti Pro Series in 2002, becoming Indy Lights in 2008, and adopting the INDY NXT by Firestone name in 2023.

Road America ranks among the longest-standing venues for INDYCAR-sanctioned series. Only Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course have hosted these series for longer periods.

Track History and Regional Impact

The construction of Road America in 1955 resulted from a state ban on racing on public roads. Highway engineer Clif Tufte organized local citizens to build a permanent facility after racing had occurred on public roads in and around Elkhart Lake since 1950. The builders used the natural landscape to create a challenging and fast circuit.

The facility generates significant economic benefit for the region. Over 800,000 visitors attend events at Road America each year, creating more than $100 million in annual economic impact. The track hosts over 400 events throughout the year, including karting at the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex and various driving schools.

The Road to IndyCar

INDY NXT by Firestone represents the highest level of the "Road to Indy" ladder system. This program prepares drivers for careers in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The series champion receives a scholarship that covers two IndyCar tests and entry fees for two races, including the Indianapolis 500. Many current IndyCar stars competed in the indylights series before advancing to the top level.

The Grand Prix at Road America provides crucial experience on a fast, flowing road course. The circuit's combination of high-speed sections, technical corners, and elevation changes tests every aspect of a driver's skill set. Success at Road America often indicates a driver's readiness for the challenges of IndyCar competition. The doubleheader format gives teams and drivers twice the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and collect valuable championship points.