A bumper crop of Indy NXT by Firestone teams and drivers will take to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on Friday to participate in the annual Chris Griffis Memorial test.
Of the 21 entries scheduled to turn laps at the 2.4-mile, 14-turn facility, some have already finalized their 2024 plans including Andretti Global, which will field all four of its full-time drivers, while some other teams like the defending champions at HMD Motorsports have a blend of drivers who are signed and some who are hoping to turn their performances at the test into season-long seats.
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Among the interesting names on the entry list, Abel Motorsports will run three drivers at the test, led by Jacob Abel, and he’ll have his new full-time teammate, Yuven Sundaramoorthy, along with Jonathan Browne.
Bryce Aron will make his official debut for Andretti, and among the cadre of HMD entries, 2023 USF Pro 2000 champion Myles Rowe and 2022 USF2000 champion Michael d’Orlando will resume their friendly rivalry with Rowe set for next season and d’Orlando hoping to find the funding to make the yearlong leap to NXT.
“Definitely needed this test and Rising Star Racing have been super supportive in helping make this test happen for me,” d’Orlando told RACER. “We knew it was important to get to the Chris Griffis test and I can’t wait to show teams what I can do, and hope to build interest to make something happen for myself in Indy NXT.”
Miller Vinatieri Motorsports will make its debut as an NXT entrant with Jack William Miller at the controls, and Juncos Hollinger Racing will sample NXT veteran Antonio Serravalle and Lindsay Brewer. Cape Motorsports, which is rumored to have a new alliance with Andretti, is back with two cars for Jace Denmark and Callum Hedge, and will hit the track from 9am-4pm.