Photo: Joe Skibinski
Nicholas Monteiro will join AJ Foyt Racing in Indy Nxt for 2026 as the team returns to the championship.
He will be team-mate to fellow rookie Alessandro de Tullio in the two-car squad, but will be the more experienced driver as he contested the round at Portland this year with HMD Motorsports. Monteiro qualified 15th and finished 14th on his debut.
His main programme this year was the step below in USF Pro 2000. Despite not having a single top-five finish and missing the final round due to his Indy Nxt cameo, Monteiro ended his third season 10th in the standings.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to compete in Indy Nxt with such an iconic team as AJ Foyt Racing,” said the 20-year-old Brazilian-American.
“Driving the Indy Nxt car last season in Portland was an incredible experience and gave me a good understanding of what to expect.
“Joining a team with so much motorsports history and passion means a lot to me, and I’m ready to make the most of this chance. I can’t wait to get started and continue building toward my goals.”
Monteiro contested the official post-season test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the team, and this week’s private test at Barber Motorsports Park.
Foyt’s team president Larry Foyt added: “Nicholas will be a great addition to our team. He’s shown impressive speed and maturity for his age, and his approach both on and off the track stood out to us. We’re looking forward to helping him continue to develop and seeing what we can accomplish together this season. He and Alessandro already work well together, putting us in a strong position for success.”