Photo: Joe Skibinski
Leonardo Escorpioni and Bart Harrison will race for HMD Motorsports and AJ Foyt Racing respectively in Indy Nxt next season.
USF Pro 2000 runner-up Escorpioni moves up the single-seater ladder, having been champion of the fifth-tier USF Juniors championship only last year with six wins.
The 18-year-old Brazilian began 2026 by graduating to USF2000, finishing third in his two races before making another step up to USFP2000.
In his sole season at the third tier on IndyCar’s support bill, the Turn 3 Motorsport driver took five victories, four further podiums and four poles. His title hopes were ended by missing USFP2000’s round in Canada.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to race in Indy Nxt with HMD Motorsports,” said Escorpioni. “After working with the team as its junior driver throughout the 2026 season, I feel I have a strong foundation heading into my debut year.”
HMD’s team president Mike Maurini said Escorpioni “already has a strong understanding of our people and processes” since joining the team’s driver development programme in June.
“We believe that familiarity will be an advantage as he transitions into Indy Nxt, and we see a great deal of potential in him. Our goal is to give him the tools and support he needs to be competitive from the opening round.”
British teenager Harrison has also swiftly made his way up through junior single-seaters, having raced in Formula 4 and GB3 last year. He won in F4 Central European Zone twice, made the podium in Formula Winter Series and Italian F4, and was runner-up in the third of the six GB3 races he contested.
Harrison has been part of Double R Racing’s line-up in Eurocup-3 through 2026. He was a points-free 27th in the winter series, and currently sits 16th in the main championship with a best finish of sixth ahead of the season finale.
With a lack of calendar clashes, Harrison also went to the USA to be a stand-in driver at HMD for the last three road course races of Indy Nxt’s season. His highlight was finishing 10th on debut.
“I’m really excited to join AJ Foyt Racing,” said Harrison. “It’s a team with an incredible history in the IndyCar paddock and to have the opportunity to be part of that is something I’m very grateful for. After getting my first taste of the series this past season, I’m looking forward to building on that experience and continuing to develop as a driver.”
In Indy Nxt’s post-season test on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course this month, Escorpioni and Harrison were seventh and ninth fastest.
“Bart did a nice job at the recent Chris Griffis test, and we were impressed with his performance and approach,” Foyt’s team president Larry Foyt commented. “We see a lot of potential in him.”
Niels Koolen will join Abel Motorsports’ Indy Nxt line-up for 2027. The 25-year-old Dutchman was 20th in 2024 with HMD, eighth last year with Chip Ganassi Racing then 15th in 2026 with the team.