Indy NXT - Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg features the Indy NXT by Firestone series, the primary development championship for IndyCar racing. This indylights event takes place on the Streets of St. Petersburg in St. Petersburg, Florida, where drivers compete on a challenging temporary circuit that combines downtown streets with a working airport runway. The race showcases emerging open-wheel racing talent in identical spec cars as they compete for crucial championship points and the opportunity to advance to the top level of American open-wheel racing.

The Streets of St. Petersburg Circuit

The Streets of St. Petersburg circuit measures 1.8 miles (2.897 km) and features 14 turns. This temporary street course runs through downtown St. Petersburg and incorporates a section of Albert Whitted Airport's runway. The FIA classifies this track as a Grade 2 circuit. Drivers face a long front straight leading into a tight right-hand Turn 1, followed by a quick left-hand Turn 2. The circuit includes several long straights with heavy braking zones, which create multiple passing opportunities during each race. The track's narrowest point measures just 26 feet, yet the layout enables an average of almost 185 overtaking maneuvers per race.

Race Format and Competition

The Indy NXT Grand Prix of St. Petersburg brings together the largest grid of competitors in recent years. The series features 24 cars, with new regulations limiting teams to a maximum of four entries. The race format allows for both lap-based and timed race structures depending on track conditions and caution periods. St. Petersburg native Nikita Johnson claimed victory in this event, driving the No. 21 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR entry. Max Taylor from Andretti Global earned pole position, while Tymek Kucharczyk of HMD Motorsports secured a podium finish, making him the first Polish driver to compete in Indy NXT.

Teams and Drivers

Several prominent teams compete at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg indylights race. Andretti Global fields multiple entries, including drivers Lochie Hughes, Sebastian Murray, and Josh Pierson. HMD Motorsports brings competitors Salvador de Alba and Enzo Fittipaldi to the Streets of St. Petersburg. Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR, Abel Motorsports with driver Myles Rowe, Cusick Morgan Motorsports featuring Juan Manuel Correa, and A.J. Foyt Racing with Alessandro de Tullio all participate in this competitive field. These teams and drivers represent the next generation of IndyCar talent.

Technical Specifications

All Indy NXT cars use the Dallara IL-15 chassis, a single-seat, open-wheel design that has served the series since 2015. The series added a halo cockpit protection device in 2021 for enhanced driver safety. Each car runs an Advanced Engine Research (AER) P63 turbocharged, 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 450 horsepower. Drivers can access an additional 50 horsepower through a push-to-pass system for strategic overtaking. These engines are built to last an entire season without requiring a rebuild. The series introduced new Xtrac six-speed sequential gearboxes with electronic shift actuation, replacing the previous Ricardo transmissions. Firestone provides all tires for the championship. Unlike IndyCar, Indy NXT uses the same spec car configuration for both oval and road courses.

Series Background

Indy NXT by Firestone, formerly known as Indy Lights, serves as the final step on the Road to Indy ladder system. The series began as the Infiniti Pro Series in 2002 and has produced numerous IndyCar champions, including Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden. The championship winner receives a scholarship package that covers two IndyCar tests and entry into two races, including the Indianapolis 500. The St. Petersburg street circuit has hosted motorsports since 1985 and began hosting IndyCar events in 2003. This venue regularly attracts approximately 200,000 fans to the downtown area during race weekend.

What Makes This Event Special

The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg indylights race offers fans close access to future IndyCar stars in a festival atmosphere. The unique circuit layout presents drivers with a distinct challenge that combines high-speed runway sections with tight city streets. The event showcases the competitive depth of the Indy NXT series, where young drivers demonstrate their skills in identical equipment. Local connections add special significance, as St. Petersburg-area drivers compete on their home circuit. The race provides an essential proving ground for drivers aspiring to reach the highest level of American open-wheel racing, making each position and point critical for their career advancement.