Photo: Chris Owens
Indy Nxt outfit HMD Motorsports has struck a deal which will make USF Pro 2000 squad TJ Speed a partner team for 2025.
It follows news last week that title-winning IndyCar team Chip Ganassi Racing, which is expanding into Indy Nxt year, has struck deals to make multi-continental junior single-seater outfit Kiwi Motorsport and Eurocup-3 squad Palou Motorsport its partner teams going forward. The partnerships are part of a revamp of CGR’s driver development programme.
“By partnering with TJ Speed, we’re establishing a comprehensive development ecosystem that equips drivers with the necessary tools, resources, and environment to thrive,” said HMD’s president Mike Maurini.
“This partnership is a pivotal step in our mission to cultivate future champions for the Indy Nxt and IndyCar series.”
HMD has already signed six drivers to its Indy Nxt line-up for next season, and through 2022 and ’23 it co-ran a car in IndyCar with Dale Coyne Racing. David Malukas, whose father Henry owns HMD, drove the entry in both seasons and picked up two podiums.
As part of HMD’s new partnership, it will provide TJ Speed and its drivers – which compete on the run below it in IndyCar’s support paddock – access to its simulator and factory personnel.
The announcement also confirmed that “trackside, both teams will collaborate throughout the race weekends, with engineering teams sharing relevant data and insights and drivers sitting in on engineering meetings and the timing stand”.
“This collaboration with HMD Motorsports opens a world of opportunities for our drivers,” commented TJ Speed owner Tim Neff. “With access to HMD’s exceptional resources and expertise, our drivers are well-equipped to advance to Indy Nxt and ultimately compete at the highest levels of open-wheel racing.”
Experienced single-seater engineer Neff, who is from Australia, established TJ Speed in 2021 as a four-car outfit in Formula Regional Americas and it took both titles there at its first attempt.
It remained in the championship for 2022 as well as expanding upwards into Indy Nxt with two cars. That programme lasted seven rounds, then the team dropped off the grid but provided engineering support to rival Abel Motorsports for the rest of the season.
TJ Speed switched to USFP2000 last year, running two full-time cars and one part-time entry. Its 2024 line-up had the same structure, with one victory in 2023 followed by two this season.