Enzo Fittipaldi snags first Indy NXT win in Race 1 of Indianapolis doubleheader

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A Fittipaldi is once again a winner at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Enzo Fittipaldi (HMD Motorsports) pulled off late heroics to win the first race of the doubleheader weekend at the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course layout at IMS. He takes his first career Indy NXT win at the same track his grandfather, Emerson Fittipaldi, claimed two Indianapolis 500 victories.

The 24-year-old Brazilian-American started 10th and progressed through the field until making the winning pass - a daring move by Lochie Hughes - with six minutes to go in what became a 55-minute timed race due to conditions.

“Honestly, that was probably one of the best drives of my career,” Fittipaldi said. “I just can’t thank my team enough. They did a great job today. We had a tricky qualifying there when we knew we had the pace and yeah, just so happy with the race today.

“I think we were flying today in the dry and then in the wet, and we started P10 and won the race. Honestly, didn’t expect this, but I knew that a win was coming.”

And doing it at a place his family's name has reached the highest of motorsport’s success adds to the emotions for Fittipaldi.

“It’s a huge amount of weight,” Fittipaldi said. “My family has a very successful history here in Indianapolis and the Indy 500; this legendary track. To get my first race win here in Indy NXT is very special. I’m just so happy and so stoked. I wouldn’t have gotten this win without my whole team here that supports me. They did a great job.”

Hughes (Andretti Global) ended up second, ahead of Nikita Johnson (Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR) in third. Tymek Kucharczyk (HMD Motorsports) finished fourth, ahead of Max Taylor (Andretti Global) in fifth.

The Race

Pole-sitter Alessandro De Tullio led the field to the green flag but locked up into Turn 1, handing the lead to third-place starter Hughes. De Tullio rejoined in eighth after using the escape road. Moments later, the combination of Max Garcia, Salvador de Alba and Myles Rowe coming together, leading to Garcia sliding off into the grass at Turn 5.

Hughes built up a lead of 0.5s over teammate Taylor by Lap 8, with Josh Pierson 1.1s back in third. On Lap 10, Fittipaldi, who started 10th, put the pressure on Pierson and made a successful pass on the front straightaway to take over third. However, a caution came out on Lap 11 due to rain.