Hedge eying IndyCar with move to Indy NXT

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: November 21, 2023

Fast Kiwi Callum Hedge hopes to become the next Scott McLaughlin, Marcus Armstrong or Scott Dixon after announcing his intention on moving to America and stepping up to the Indy NXT in 2024.

Hedge, 19, will be racing car #17 for front-running HMD Motorsports which won nine of the 14 races in the second tier category in 2023 and won both the drivers and teams championship with Dane Christian Ramsussen.

The big move comes off the back of a huge year for the Auckland product having split his time either side of the Pacific Ocean racing Porsche Carrera Cup in Australia and the Formula Regional Americas season in USA.

Hedge already has one crown under his belt having won 13 of the 18 races in a dominant Formula Regional Americas title winning campaign.

Callum Hedge wearing HMD Motorsports colours. Image: Supplied

Despite missing Bathurst he has the chance to also wrap up the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championship sitting 21 points behind Jackson Walls ahead of the Adelaide finale this weekend.

The American opportunity comes off the back of an Indy NXT test with Cape Motorsports at Indianapolis last month, while he also participated in the Porsche Junior Shootout recently.

But with Hedge’s IndyCar being his “motorsports dream” and can’t wait to make a major step towards it.

“I have had a taste of the INDY NXT machinery and am ready for the challenge that 2024 will bring,” said Hedge.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to join a championship-winning program in HMD Motorsports and for my partners who continue to make my motorsports dream a reality.

Callum Hedge took out the Formula Regional Americas series.

“I am anxious to get situated with the team and get going.

“The first test is two months away, but you can trust I will be taking in everything I can between now and January to ensure I am up to speed and ready to go.”

HMD Motorsports General Manager Mike Maurini believes Hedge has the talent to adapt to the ovals and challenges IndyCar’s second tier series presents and can continue the team’s strong form.

“We have a lot of time for Callum and are confident that he will have success in INDY NXT,” he said.

“He is stepping into a program that has ascended rapidly and has been winning along the way.

“He is another piece to the growing puzzle and will be a threat for the top step of the podium all season.

Callum Hedge hopes to also win the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia title this weekend in Adelaide. Image: Mark Horsburgh

“While the North American ovals and temporary courses will be new to him, he has a strong support system of drivers and engineers around him that will assist in making the transition seamless.”

The fast, confident and talented Kiwi will make his debut with HMD Motorsports in the new year at a two-day test at Sebring International Raceway in January.

Another test at the famed Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca follows in early February.

The 2024 Indy NXT season goes racing at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 10.

For the 2024 season, Callum continues to receive substantial support from long-time New Zealand partners; The Tony Quinn Foundation, The Giltrap Group, and Tasman Motorsports Group.

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