Indy NXT - Grand Prix at Road America Race 1

The Grand Prix at Road America Race 1 brings INDY NXT by Firestone competition to one of North America's premier road courses. Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, hosts this indylights race as part of a doubleheader weekend. The 2026 season features a record-tying 17 races, with five doubleheader weekends spread across the calendar. FOX Sports broadcasts all INDY NXT races live, primarily on FS1, making the action accessible to fans across the country.

Road America Circuit Overview

Road America spans 640 acres of rolling hills in Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine region. The track measures 4.048 miles in length and features 14 turns. The facility has maintained its original configuration since its establishment in 1955, making it one of the few road circuits worldwide to preserve its classic layout. The circuit holds FIA Grade Two classification and sits midway between Milwaukee and Green Bay.

Track Characteristics

The long front stretch allows speeds approaching 200 mph. Significant elevation changes throughout the circuit challenge drivers and create multiple racing lines. Turn 1 requires high entry speeds, while Turn 5 provides the biggest braking zone and the best passing opportunity. Turn 8 presents a tight left-hand corner, and the Carousel offers one of the most challenging sections on the course. "The Kink" on the back straightaway remains a high-speed test of commitment, though an optional chicane exists for series preferring an alternate configuration.

The track's width encourages passing opportunities throughout the lap. Fuel strategy often plays a crucial role due to the long lap distance. The circuit provides diverse viewing areas across its park-like grounds, allowing spectators to experience racing from multiple vantage points.

INDY NXT Participant Field

The 2026 INDY NXT season features a grid of up to 24 cars, with new regulations limiting teams to four entries maximum. Several teams have confirmed their lineups for the season.

Team Entries

Andretti Global fields four drivers: Lochie Hughes, Sebastian Murray, Max Taylor, and Josh Pierson. Chip Ganassi Racing expands to a four-car operation with Bryce Aron, Niels Koolen, James Roe, and Carson Etter. Abel Motorsports runs Max Garcia, Jordan Missig, and Colin Kaminsky, plus Myles Rowe in partnership with Force Indy. A.J. Foyt Racing enters Nicholas Monteiro and Alessandro de Tullio.

Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR brings Matteo Nannini and Nikita Johnson. Cusick Morgan Motorsports fields Nicolas Stati and Juan Manuel Correa. HMD Motorsports runs Tymek Kucharczyk and Salvador de Alba. Juncos Hollinger Racing completes the announced entries with Ricardo Escotto and Alexander Koreiba.

Technical Specifications

INDY NXT cars use the Dallara IL-15 chassis, a single-seat, open-wheel design introduced in 2015. The halo cockpit protection device was added in 2021. Safety features include headrests, seats, a secondary pedal bulkhead for oval racing, and Zylon anti-intrusion side panels meeting FIA specifications and INDYCAR standards.

Power and Drivetrain

The Advanced Engine Research (AER) P63 turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine produces 450 horsepower. The 2.0-liter powerplant includes a push-to-pass system that provides an additional 50 horsepower on road and street courses. The engine design allows operation for an entire season without requiring a rebuild.

The 2026 season introduces brand-new six-speed sequential gearboxes from Xtrac, replacing the previous Ricardo units. A new semi-automatic shifting system accompanies this upgrade. Firestone supplies all tires for the series. INDY NXT cars run the same specification on both oval and road courses, unlike the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Series Background at Road America

INDY NXT by Firestone serves as the developmental series for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The series originated as the American Racing Series in 1986 and evolved through various names before becoming INDY NXT. Many current NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers developed their skills in this championship, including Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Josef Newgarden, Pato O'Ward, and Colton Herta.

Road America has hosted IndyCar-sanctioned open-wheel racing since 1982, beginning with CART/Champ Car. After a break, the track returned to the calendar in 2016 with the current IndyCar Series and its support categories. The facility hosts over 500 events annually, with nine major weekends open to the public featuring televised races.

Series Championship Value

The INDY NXT champion receives a scholarship package that covers two IndyCar tests and entry fees for two races, including the Indianapolis 500. This prize provides a direct pathway to the top level of American open-wheel racing. The competitive field and professional race operations prepare drivers for the demands of NTT INDYCAR SERIES competition.

Road America's challenging layout and high-speed sections test driver skill and car setup. The combination of long straights, technical corners, and elevation changes creates close racing throughout the field. The Grand Prix at Road America Race 1 represents a significant opportunity for indylights competitors to demonstrate their abilities on a demanding circuit that rewards both speed and strategy.