HMD Motorsports closed out the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a hard-fought championship battle, a race win, and a strong showing from its four-car lineup.
Bringing Enzo Fittipaldi, Tymek Kucharczyk, Jack Beeton and Bart Harrison to the 2.238-mile, 11-turn circuit in Monterey, California, HMD Motorsports entered the final race weekend of the season with the championship still firmly in play, with Fittipaldi and Kucharczyk carrying the team’s title hopes into Sunday’s finale. While the championship ultimately went elsewhere, HMD Motorsports finished the season among the championship’s top contenders, securing both second- and third-place finishes in the final standings.
After first-lap contact in Race One ended his podium hopes, Kucharczyk fought back to salvage a tenth-place finish. The Polish driver returned Sunday determined to make the most of his final opportunity, putting together a standout drive to charge away from the field to secure his second victory of the season. The win provided a fitting finish to Kucharczyk’s rookie campaign and made an unforgettable statement.
Fittipaldi entered the weekend with the championship firmly in his sights and remained focused on maximizing every opportunity despite a challenging qualifying session. He fought his way to an eighth-place finish in Saturday’s Race One before delivering an even stronger drive in Sunday’s finale. Starting 13th, Fittipaldi surged forward to gain eight positions and cross the line fifth, earning the Jostens’ Biggest Mover Award in the process.
The result secured Fittipaldi the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone Vice-Championship, marking an impressive season for the HMD Motorsports rookie.
Beeton also showed strong pace and determination throughout the weekend. Contact in Race One sent the Australian into the pits and left him a lap down, ultimately resulting in a 19th-place finish. Beeton bounced back in Race Two, making a series of strong overtakes to move from 16th to tenth at the checkered flag.
Harrison returned to the INDY NXT by Firestone grid for the second time in 2026 after making his series debut with HMD Motorsports at the Grand Prix of Portland. Continuing to build experience in the INDY NXT machinery, Harrison delivered a pair of solid finishes, bringing the #17 HMD entry home 12th in Race One and 17th in Race Two as he continues his pursuit of a full-time seat for the 2027 season.
“It was a hard-fought season from start to finish,” commented HMD Motorsports Team President Mike Maurini. “The entire team gave it everything they had, and while we came up short of the championship, finishing second and third in the closest championship fight in INDY NXT history is something we can be incredibly proud of. Tymek’s win to close out the season is a great way to finish and gives us plenty of momentum heading into the offseason.
“We aren’t giving up. We know what we’re capable of, and we’re already looking ahead to coming back even stronger in 2027. Thank you to every member of our team, our partners, our drivers, and everyone who played a role in making this season what it was.”
With the 2026 season officially in the books, HMD Motorsports will quickly turn its attention toward 2027. A driver evaluation test is already on the horizon as the team begins preparations for the upcoming season, including lineup decisions and pre-season testing.
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Photo Credit: RTD Media