HMD Motorsports delivered a statement over the weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Competing in the Indianapolis Grand Prix doubleheader, Rounds Five and Six of the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season, the team returned to the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course just minutes from their headquarters and came away with a sweep.
HMD Motorsports secured victories in both Race One and Race Two, earning their first and second wins of the 2026 season. Enzo Fittipaldi and Tymek Kucharczyk delivered the breakthrough results, with both drivers scoring their first career INDY NXT victories after earning multiple podium results this season. Fittipaldi also added a third-place finish in Race Two to complete a double podium weekend for the team.
After a challenging qualifying session left all four HMD Motorsports drivers starting deeper in the field than expected, the team knew they had work to do.
In Race One, Kucharczyk started eighth on the grid, followed by Fittipaldi in tenth, Jack Beeton in 11th, and Salvador de Alba in 18th. Changing conditions quickly made for a demanding race, but Fittipaldi charged through the field and took the lead on lap 25 after a red flag stoppage and switch to wet weather tires. Combining strong race craft with smart defensive driving, he crossed the line to claim his first INDY NXT victory.
The win carried extra significance for Fittipaldi, whose family has deep roots at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with both his grandfather and cousin having also won at IMS.
“Oh wow, what a weekend,” commented Fittipaldi. “Starting tenth in Race One and coming through for the win was extremely special. To get my first win here at Indianapolis Motor Speedway means a lot, especially with my family’s history here. It was a really special moment for all of us. The HMD boys did an amazing job — the car was on rails all race.”
Kucharczyk narrowly missed the podium in Race One with a fourth-place finish, while de Alba came home 13th after fighting forward through the field. Beeton’s race was compromised by opening-lap contact that left him a lap down, coming home 21st.
Race Two brought even more for HMD Motorsports.
Starting fifth, Kucharczyk capitalized immediately on the opening lap, charging to the lead by Turn 1. From there, the Polish rookie controlled the race, leading all 30 laps and holding off constant pressure to earn his first INDY NXT victory. The result also moved him up to second in the championship standings.
“Finished Race Two here at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with my first win of the year — hopefully not the last one,” commented Kucharczyk. “Really happy with the result. It was a challenging race with tire and pressure management, especially holding off Max (Taylor). Lap one was crucial. Starting P5 and getting to P1 by Turn 1 set the tone, and from there, every lap was my maximum. It’s pretty cool to get the win at such a special place. Amazing job by the team and the #71 crew. We’ve still got work to do for Detroit, but it’s good to take some momentum into the break.”
Fittipaldi continued his charge in Race Two as well, climbing from seventh to finish third and secure his second podium of the weekend, giving HMD Motorsports a double podium. De Alba delivered a steady drive to earn a strong top-ten finish, finishing tenth, while Beeton recovered from early contact to fight back to 13th.
“This was a good weekend for HMD Motorsports and a great way to start the Month of May,” said Team President Mike Maurini. “We know all four of our drivers have what it takes to win at this level, and this weekend showed the strength of our entire INDY NXT program. Enzo and Tymek have both been close all season, so it was great to see them break through. Salvador added valuable points, and Jack showed strong pace despite a couple of tough breaks. We have some time before Detroit, and we’ll take this momentum straight into the championship fight.”
The championship battle continues to tighten, with just 16 points separating the top four drivers.
HMD Motorsports’ INDY NXT program now shifts its focus to Round Seven of the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season on the Streets of Detroit, May 29–31.
In the three weeks leading up to the event, HMD Motorsports will also focus on its Indianapolis 500 program with AJ Foyt Racing, fielding the No. 11 e.l.f. Cosmetics Chevrolet for Katherine Legge. Practice begins Tuesday, May 12, with the team aiming to build competitiveness throughout the sessions leading into Race Day on May 24.
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Photo Credit: RTD Media / Penske Entertainment