While the 2023 INDY NXT by Firestone season has only just begun, Danial Frost already has his sights set on the championship. This past weekend, the season commenced at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg as 19 drivers took to the track. With one of the largest fields the series has seen in over a decade, multiple drivers have a chance at the championship. Frost, however, got off to a strong start by claiming the first victory of the season.
Coming into the event, Frost was confident he could earn a good result. Entering his third season, his second with HMD Motorsports and engineer Mike Reggio, Frost has been successful on the Streets of St. Petersburg. However, he was still waiting for his first win on the course. In 2019 and 2020, Frost claimed one second-place finish and two third-place finishes. In his rookie INDY NXT season, he earned a second-place finish in 2021. After starting from the back of the field in eleventh last year, Frost gained six positions to finish fifth.
Again, showing his skills on the 14-turn street circuit this year, Frost showed up when it counted to take the checkered flag. In the lead-up to the final event, he finished fourth and eighth in the two practice sessions. After qualifying in seventh to start the race, Frost faced a strong field of drivers, the tightest qualifying field for a street course in recent history.
During the 45-lap race, Frost spent the first 33 laps slowly working his way toward the front. On lap 35, during a restart, Frost was able to capitalize as the leader went wide through turn one trying to defend but Frost was able to follow his teammate Nolan Siegel into second. After yet another caution period and with two minutes remaining in the race, Frost went around the outside of Siegel going into turn two to take over the lead for the final two laps. After gaining six positions during the race, Frost took home his second INDY NXT by Firestone victory and left the St. Pete event not only as the initial victor in the newly rebranded series but also the point leader.
Frost will return with HMD Motorsports to the INDY NXT paddock in eight weeks for the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park.
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Photos: RTD Media