HMD Motorsports is set to welcome 18-year-old British driver Bart Harrison to the INDY NXT by Firestone grid, with the young talent set to make his American racing debut in the #17 HMD Motorsports entry at Portland International Raceway.
Harrison will compete in Rounds 14, 16, and 17 of the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season, taking on the Grand Prix of Portland and the season finale doubleheader at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Salvador de Alba will return to the #17 HMD Motorsports entry for Round 15 at The Milwaukee Mile, the final oval race of the season.
The three-race program marks the next step in Harrison’s development as he looks to gain experience in the INDY NXT machinery and compete for a potential full-time seat in the championship in 2027.
Hailing from Nunnington, North Yorkshire, England, Harrison began karting at the age of eight before progressing through a wide range of European championships. He is the only two-time winner of the IAME Winter Cup’s X30 Junior class, claiming victories in Valencia in consecutive years in 2020 and 2021. Harrison continued his development through the FIA Karting Academy Trophy, British Kart Championship, F4 British Championship, Italian F4 Championship, and GB3 Championship before joining Double R Racing for the 2026 Eurocup-3 season.
With a proven record of success in karting and experience across multiple levels of European single-seater competition, Harrison now turns his attention to the next stage of his career. His INDY NXT debut will provide an opportunity to adapt to the series’ Dallara IL-15 machinery, compete on two of the championship’s most demanding road courses, and demonstrate his potential at the next level of the American open-wheel ladder.
“This is quite the opportunity,” commented Bart Harrison. “We’ve been looking at the American racing scene, so when this opportunity came up, the timing felt perfect. HMD Motorsports is an incredible place to start, and the team has been brilliant in welcoming us and helping us get up to speed quickly. I have been working closely with my engineer, reviewing data and on-boards and getting as much simulator time in as possible before Portland. There’s a lot to learn in a short amount of time, but I’m really looking forward to it. Let’s get after it.”
“We are excited to welcome Bart to the HMD family,” commented HMD Motorsports Team President Mike Maurini. “Bart has already shown a lot of potential throughout his career, and this program gives us the opportunity to see what he can do in an INDY NXT car. He will have a lot to learn, but we believe he has the talent and the right mindset to make the most of this opportunity. We are looking forward to working with him and seeing what he can do as we look toward the future.”
Harrison will begin preparations with HMD Motorsports ahead of his INDY NXT debut at Portland International Raceway, this coming weekend. The event will carry additional significance for the young Brit, who will celebrate his 19th birthday on race day.
He will return to the #17 HMD Motorsports entry for the season finale doubleheader at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, September 4–6.
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For more information on HMD Motorsports, visit HMDMotorsports.com or email info@hmdmotorsports.com.
Photo Credit: Bart Harrison Racing