Sebastian Murray laid down the first marker for the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season, leading the Chris Griffis Memorial Test on Oct. 27 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. (Photo courtesy of INDY NXT by Firestone)

By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio

Sebastian Murray has laid down the first marker of the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season, leading Monday’s Chris Griffis Memorial Test on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road-Course.

Murray was quickest among 24 drivers turning laps on the 2.439-mile/14-turn circuit, stopping the clocks at 1-minute, 14.5035-seconds/117.852 mph after 86 laps in the No. 27 Andretti Global car. Murray finished 13th in the series standings in 2025 as a rookie for Andretti Cape INDY NXT before moving to the Andretti team for 2026.

SEE: Overall Test Results

“Great day at IMS,” said Murray, an 18-year-old native of Scotland. “We finished P1, so obviously thrilled. The team was amazing today and we learned a lot and improved a lot. We were obviously very fast all day, so massive thank you to the team.”

Murray’s hot lap highlighted a strong performance for Andretti Global, whose drivers occupied the top three spots on the time chart. Andretti Global drivers also have won the last two championships in INDYCAR’s developmental series.

American-born series veterans and Andretti newcomers Max Taylor and Josh Pierson placed second and third, respectively. Taylor’s best lap was 1:14.6366/117.642 mph in the No. 28 car, while Pierson’s top lap was 1:14.6674/117.593 mph in the No. 29 machine. Taylor was quickest overall in the morning session at 1:15.0926. Taylor is an 18-year-old from Greenwich, Conn., while Pierson is a 19-year-old native of Portland, Ore.

Nikita Johnson was fourth overall and quickest rookie, turning a best lap of 1:14.8849/117.252 mph in the No. 21 Cape Motorsports car. The USF2000 and USF Pro 2000 series runner-up, Johnson made three INDY NXT starts early in the 2025 season but will remain eligible for Rookie of the Year honors in 2026. Johnson is a 17-year-old native of St. Petersburg, Fla.

A.J. Foyt Racing marked a successful return to INDY NXT with USF Pro 2000 veteran and series rookie Alessandro de Tullio, who completed the top five at 1:15.0406/117.009 mph. A 19-year-old native of Miami, de Tullio competed in the 2025 USF Pro 2000 Championship for Turn 3 Motorsport.

De Tullio will be paired with fellow-series rookie Nicholas Monteiro for the organization founded by open-wheel icon A.J. Foyt Jr. of Houston. A 20-year-old native of Pembroke Pines, Fla., Monteiro is a Brazilian/American who drove for Turn 3 Motorsport in the 2025 USF Pro 2000 Championship. Monteiro placed 18^th overall Monday with a best lap of 1:15.7210/115.957 mph. The Foyt drivers combined for 137 laps, with Monteiro turning 75.

Based in Waller, Texas, Foyt Racing announced last week it will field a two-car INDY NXT team beginning in 2026 in a strategic alliance with HMD Motorsports of Brownsburg, Ind. The collaboration between Foyt Racing and HMD Motorsports will strengthen the connection for open-wheel driver and team crew personnel looking to advance from INDY NXT into the premier NTT IndyCar Series.

The annual open test is named in memory of Chris Griffis, team manager of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports who passed away suddenly in September 2011. Twenty-four drivers _ three more than the 21 entries that ran most of the 2025 season _ combined to turn 1,728 laps during the day’s two sessions.

The 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season will start on Sunday, March 1, on the Streets of St. Pete.

Tickets for 2026 marquee events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway _ including the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG and the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks _ are on sale at IMS.com and at the IMS Ticket Office.

The IMS Ticket Office is located on the first floor of the IMS Administration Building at 4790 W. 16th St. in Indianapolis. Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday. Tickets also can be purchased by calling 317-492-6700.

“It’s time to start looking forward to the 2026 schedule and preparing to welcome fans back to the ‘Racing Capital of the World,’^” INDYCAR/IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Buying now not only locks in an exciting and world-class experience at IMS in 2026 but locks in the best available seats at the lowest prices.”

Tickets for the following 2026 events are on sale at IMS.com and the Ticket Office:

Sonsio Grand Prix _ Saturday, May 9

Miller Lite Carb Day _ Friday, May 22

Legends Day _ Saturday, May 23

110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge _ Sunday, May 24

Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit _ Sunday, May 24

Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational _ Saturday, June 20-Sunday, June 21

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Pennzoil 250 _ Saturday, July 25

NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 presented by PPG _ Sunday, July 26

IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks _ Friday, Sept. 18-Sunday, Sept. 20

Intercontinental GT Indianapolis 8-Hour _ Friday, Oct. 9-Sunday, Oct. 11

Customers also can purchase admission to practice, qualifications and the Indianapolis 500 public drivers’ meeting, as well as parking, camping, hospitality and public credentials (Bronze Badge, Silver Badge, garage passes, pit passes) for these events at IMS.com. In addition, fans can purchase infield camping for the Sonsio Grand Prix, Brickyard Weekend and the IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks.

All products are on sale at their lowest remaining prices, with increases coming in 2026. The $5 per-ticket service fee will be waived on items purchased before Jan. 5. Children 15-and-under will continue to be admitted free in general admission locations to all 2026 racing events at IMS when accompanied by an adult general admission ticketholder.

Month of May concert lineups, including performers and ticket sale information, will be announced soon.

Fans can register at IMS.com to receive ticket information for the 2026 BC39 presented by Avanti Windows & Doors and the USAC Indiana Sprint Week event. Dates for these events will be announced later.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has confirmed a long-term, multi-year extension of its partnership with Droplight as primary sponsor of the team’s No. 45 Honda driven by Louis Foster in the NTT IndyCar Series.

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Droplight is a solutions-driven organization that empowers corporations, small businesses, venture capital funds, startups and nonprofit organizations to achieve sustainable growth, operational efficiency and enhanced market impact. Led by CEO Joseph Anderson, the company provides a full spectrum of services ranging from pre-investment analysis to post-investment operational support and strategic growth-planning.

“From our very first meeting, it was clear that Droplight would bring value well beyond the racetrack,” said Bobby Rahal, RLLR team-founder and winner of the 1986 Indianapolis 500. “This long-term commitment solidifies a partnership built on creativity, performance and shared ambition. We’re thrilled to keep building the future together.”

A 22-year-old native of Odiham, United Kingdom, Foster emerged as the series’ 2025 Rookie of the Year at the conclusion of the 17-race schedule.

“Having Droplight not only return _ but return in a multi-year agreement _ is exciting,” Foster said. “They first joined us at the Indy 500 with their Desnuda brand and I got to know the guys and girls with Droplight and they are a great group of people. They are super-creative, fully engaged and always looking at how to elevate everyone around them. They are also expanding into other sports, which is exciting since that synergy will help all of us collectively. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Final 2025 NTT IndyCar Series Point Standings _ 1, Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing, 711; 2, Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren, 515; 3, Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing, 452; 4, Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global, 433; 5, Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren, 431; 6, Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing, 372; 7, Colton Herta, Andretti Global, 372; 8, Marcus Armstrong, Meyer Shank Racing, 364; 9, Will Power, Team Penske, 357; 10, Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske, 356;

11, David Malukas, A.J. Foyt Racing, 318; 12, Josef Newgarden, Team Penske, 316; 13, Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing, 313; 14, Rinus VeeKay, Dale Coyne Racing, 305; 15, Alexander Rossi, Ed Carpenter Racing, 297; 16, Santino Ferrucci, A.J. Foyt Racing, 293; 17, Kyffin Simpson, Chip Ganassi Racing, 282; 18, Conor Daly, Juncos Hollinger Racing, 268; 19, Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 260; 20, Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global, 234;

21, Callum Ilott, PREMA Racing, 218; 22, Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren, 213; 23, Louis Foster, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 213; 24, Robert Shwartzman, PREMA Racing, 211; 25, Sting Ray Robb, Juncos Hollinger Racing, 181; 26, Devlin DeFrancesco, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 171; 27, Jacob Abel, Dale Coyne Racing, 123; 28, Takuma Sato, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, 36; 29, Helio Castroneves, Meyer Shank Racing, 20; 30, Ed Carpenter, Ed Carpenter Racing, 16;

31, Jack Harvey, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports, 12; 32, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports, 10; 33, Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren with Henrick Motorsports, 6; 34, Marco Andretti, Andretti Herta with Marco & Curb-Agajanian, 5.

2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES RACE WINNERS

Sunday, March 2 _ Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. (Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing)

Sunday, March 23 _The Thermal Club, Thermal, Calif.  (Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing)

Sunday, April 13 _ Streets of Long Beach, Calif. (Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global)

Sunday, May 4 _ Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Ala. (Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing)

Saturday, May 10 _ Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road-Course (Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing)

Sunday, May 25 _ Indianapolis Motor Speedway Oval (Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing)

Sunday, June 1 _ Streets of Detroit (Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global)

Sunday, June 15 _ World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison, Ill. (Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global)

Sunday, June 22 _ Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis. (Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing)

Sunday, July 6 _ Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington (Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing)

Saturday, July 12 _ Iowa Speedway, Newton, Race 1 (Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren)

Sunday, July 13 _ Iowa Speedway, Newton, Race 2 (Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing)

Sunday, July 20 _ Streets of Toronto, Canada (Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren)

Sunday, July 27 _ WeatherTech Raceway, Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif. (Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing)

Sunday, Aug. 10 _ Portland (Ore.) International Raceway (Will Power, Team Penske)

Sunday, Aug. 24 _ The Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, Wis. (Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing)

Sunday, Aug. 31 _ Nashville Superspeedway, Lebanon, Tenn. (Josef Newgarden, Team Penske)

2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES SCHEDULE

Sunday, March 1 _ Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Saturday, March 7 _ Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, Ariz.

Sunday, March 15 _ Streets of Arlington, Texas

Sunday, March 29 _ Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Ala.

Sunday, April 19 _ Streets of Long Beach, Calif.

Saturday, May 9 _ Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road-Course

Sunday, May 24 _ 110^th Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Oval

Sunday, May 31 _ Streets of Detroit

Sunday, June 7 _ World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison, Ill.

Sunday, June 21 _ Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis.

Sunday, July 5 _ Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio

Sunday, July 19 _ Nashville Superspeedway, Lebanon, Tenn.

Sunday, Aug. 9 _ Portland (Ore.) International Raceway

Sunday, Aug. 16 _ Streets of Markham, Canada

Saturday, Aug. 29 _ The Milwaukee Mile Race 1, West Allis, Wis.

Sunday, Aug. 30 _ The Milwaukee Mile Race 2, West Allis, Wis.

Sunday, Sept. 6 _ WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif.

Note _ All races to be televised by FOX Sports

2026 INDYCAR NXT BY FIRESTONE SCHEDULE

Sunday, March 1 _ Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Sunday, March 15 _ Streets of Arlington, Texas

Saturday, March 28 _ Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Ala., Race 1

Sunday, March 29 _ Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Ala., Race 2

Friday, May 8 _ Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road-Course Race 1

Saturday, May 9 _ Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road-Course Race 2

Sunday, May 31 _ Streets of Detroit

Sunday, June 7 _ World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison, Ill.

Saturday, June 20 _ Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis., Race 1

Sunday, June 21 _ Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis., Race 2

Saturday, July 4 _ Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio, Race 1

Sunday, July 5 _ Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio, Race 2

Sunday, July 19 _ Nashville Superspeedway, Lebanon, Tenn.

Sunday, Aug. 9 _ Portland (Ore.) International Raceway

Sunday, Aug. 30 _ The Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, Wis.

Saturday, Sept. 5 _ Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif., Race 1

Sunday, Sept. 6 _ Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif., Race 2