Photo: Travis Hinkle
Indy Nxt teams were back in action for their latest pre-season test this week, which took place over two days at Laguna Seca.
It followed the group test at Sebring in January, and is another crucial opportunity for many of the rookies to get used to the Dallara IL-15 car before the season-opening round in St. Petersburg at the start of March.
In addition to the drivers signed up to race in 2025, HMD Motorsports – which is already committed to running eight cars full-time this season – had its #30 car on track for 19-year-old Liam Sceats.
The Kiwi also drove for the team in the post-season test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last October, and is yet to announce his 2025 racing plans. He was Formula Regional Japanese Championship runner-up in 2023, then last year was runner-up in FRegional Oceania and fifth in Indy Nxt’s feeder series USF Pro 2000.
It is understood he has gained further Indy Nxt mileage at another track in a private test with HMD during the off-season.
The liveries that many drivers will be using this season were also on display at Laguna Seca, with Tommy Smith’s Shell-sponsored HMD-run car a noticeable example along with the Tasman branding on Abel Motorsports driver Callum Hedge’s car. He is also carrying the branding of the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand, a medical non-governmental organisation he supports to help his nephews who have a rare form of muscular dystrophy.
In media sessions, Indy Nxt drivers have repeatedly stated that covering the costs of a full season through sponsorship has become easier this year due to the domestic media rights deal struck by Fox and IndyCar in the USA that will include the broadcasting of Indy Nxt races.
As for the on-track action at Laguna Seca, there was plenty of running on Wednesday but a rainstorm hit the track on Thursday meant longer was spent in the pits and the track had to dry through the afternoon so there were less opportunities to try out set-up improvements for the dry conditions.