Photo: Joe Skibinski
Davey Hamilton Jr will return to the Indy Nxt grid next month, almost seven years on from his last start in the championship.
He will embark on an oval-only programme with HMD Motorsports, which consists of the races at Gateway (June 15), Iowa Speedway (July 12), the Milwaukee Mile (August 24) and Nashville Superspeedway (August 31).
Hamilton tested at Nashville in 2024 and last month as he evaluated a return to Indy Nxt. Most of his car racing career has been spent on short track ovals in midget cars, with his only single-seater races being his three Indy Nxt starts in the 2010s.
He debuted with McCormack Racing in 2016’s double-header season finale at Laguna Seca, coming home a lapped 14th in both races and qualifying way off the pace. In 2018 he contested the prestigious Freedom 100 race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval with Team Pelfrey, and finished a lapped seventh out of eight cars.
“I’m extremely excited for this opportunity,” said Hamilton. “Oval racing is in my blood, and getting back into the Indy Nxt series with a strong team is a big step. I’m grateful to everyone at HMD Motorsports for the chance to be back behind the wheel, and I’m ready to get to work and make the most of this campaign.”
The 28-year-old’s father was championship runner-up in IndyCar predecessor Indy Racing League’s 1996-97 and 1998 seasons without winning a race, and later raced in Stadium Super Trucks where the younger of the two also competed.
Ahead of his race return, Hamilton will drive in Indy Nxt’s tests at Iowa (June 9) and Milwaukee (June 24). It has not been confirmed which of HMD’s nine cars he will be driving.
“We’re happy to welcome Davey Hamilton Jr to our team for the oval races this season,” HMD’s president Mike Maurini said.
“His background and experience on ovals make him a great fit for this programme. He completed two test days, one in 2024 and one in 2025, in Nashville, and showed great improvement year-over-year. His goals are realistic, and that is the best approach to have as we head into an oval-heavy portion of our campaign.”