Nicolas Stati is set to reach another career milestone this weekend as the Australian prepares for his first-ever oval race at Nashville Superspeedway in Round 13 of the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone championship.
After missing the season’s first oval event at Worldwide Technology Raceway due to a prior commitment, the 17-year-old will make his long-awaited oval debut on the 1.33-mile concrete oval behind the wheel of the #15 Cusick Morgan Motorsports entry. While Stati has completed INDY NXT oval testing as part of his rookie development, Nashville will mark the first time he has raced on an oval at any level of competition.
Now more than halfway through his rookie campaign, Stati continues to build experience at every stop on the calendar. The Nashville weekend presents another valuable learning opportunity as he takes on one of the most unique disciplines in North American open-wheel racing, where close-quarters competition and sustained high speeds demand precision and confidence.
“I’m really excited to finally race on an oval,” commented Stati. “It’s something I’ve been looking forward to since the start of the season. Testing helped me understand the fundamentals, but I know racing in traffic will be a completely different experience. I’m ready for the challenge and grateful to Cusick Morgan Motorsports for giving me the opportunity to keep learning and developing every weekend.”
Nashville Superspeedway has become a fan favorite since joining the INDY NXT calendar, producing exciting side-by-side racing and serving as one of three oval events on the schedule. For Stati, the weekend represents another important step in his development as he continues to expand his experience across the diverse range of circuits that define the INDY NXT championship.
The Nashville Superspeedway weekend begins with Practice on Saturday, July 18, at 11:30 AM ET, airing live on FS1, followed by Qualifying at 4:30 PM ET on FS2. The 65-lap Music City Grand Prix is set to go green on Sunday, July 19, at 1:00 PM ET, with live coverage on FS1.
Stay connected with Nicolas Stati by following his social media channels for updates, results, and announcements. Additional team details can be found at CusickMotorsports.com.
Photo Credit: Penske Entertainment