Photo: Joe Skibinski
Two more changes to the grid for this weekend’s Indy Nxt race at Barber Motorsports Park, round two of the season, have been announced.
Bryce Aron will switch from HMD Motorsports to Chip Ganassi Racing, while Evagoras Papasavvas debuts with HMD.
Jonathan Browne vacates the seat Aron takes, and Papasavvas starts his Indy Nxt career early by replacing Sophia Floersch who previously announced her departure from HMD after just one race.
Papasavvas had already signed with HMD to contest three races, and the 17-year-old is making a double step up the single-seater ladder. He has spent three years in USF2000, and in that time claimed three victories and 11 other podiums.
After his outing at Barber, he will race again at the Gateway oval, Road America and Mid-Ohio, taking over the car rookies Nikita Johnson and Max Taylor are also driving this season. Papasavvas is reserve driver when they race.
“After a productive test at Mid-Ohio, I feel ready to take on the challenge,” said Papasavvas. “The car is amazing, and the team has made me feel right at home. I’m grateful to HMD Motorsports for the opportunity, and I’m focused on delivering the best result possible and learning as much as I can this weekend.”
Aron was fourth in Euroformula two years ago, then got a win from two Formula Regional Oceania rounds early in 2024 before moving up to Indy Nxt with Andretti Global. He came ninth in the points, netting two podiums.
He has started 2025 stronger, finishing 13th in St. Petersburg after retiring there in 2024, but that means he sits lower in the standings than where he ended 2024.
Budget problems for Browne, 13th in the 2024 standings and seventh in St. Pete last month, has enabled Aron’s switch.
“A tough update to give. Firstly I’d like to thank everyone at Chip Ganassi Racing. I entered this team only a few months ago and they’re the best organisation that I have had the pleasure of working with. The work and support they have given me so far is incredible,” said Browne.
“Unfortunately due to funding issues I will not be driving for the forseeable. This news came unexpectedly but I’d like to thank my sponsors and everyone who has contributed to my journey so far. As of right I’m working hard to get back in a car as soon as possible.”
Taylor Kiel, a senior management figure at Ganassi, welcomed Aron and noted “we were fortunate to be able to have him test with us at Mid-Ohio last week and get acclimated to the team and our car, so we’re looking forward to building that into a successful Indy Nxt programme”.
Aron said he was “very excited to be joining” and his “time with the group at the IndyCar open test” meant “it is easy to see why they have so much success”.
“I’m looking forward to working with everyone on the team and hitting the ground running at Barber this weekend,” he added.