Smith off to Indy NXT

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 15 October 2024

After having a crack at F3, Australia’s Tommy Smith will take on his next challenge in America, competing in Indy NXT.

Smith will race in the IndyCar feeder series for HMD Motorsports and begin testing at the famous Indianapolis Motorsport Speedway this Friday.

The 22-year-old joins the team, which won the 2022 and 2023 Indy NXT titles and fielded 12 drivers this season including Kiwi Callum Hedge, who finished fourth.

Smith already has experience with the team, watching the Nashville finale, and will race alongside Josh Pierson and Ciao Collet.

After taking on the European scene, Smith is excited to go racing in America and drive on ovals for the first time.

“I am excited to compete in America and am up for the challenge,” explained Smith.

“It was a great opportunity to watch the final Indy NXT race in Nashville with HMD.

“The series is competitive, and racing on ovals will be a new experience for me, but I’m excited to get behind the wheel for post-season testing later this month and start working with the team as we prepare for the 2025 season together.”

Smith comes to America after two full seasons in the FIA Formula 3 World Championship for Van Amersfoort Racing.

In his sophomore season this year, Smith finished 20th, seven places up from his rookie campaign after getting his one and only F3 top 10 finish in impressive style at Silverstone where he finished a dramatic Feature Race in fourth.

Before F3 Smith competed in GB3 and took a win at Spa, plus the Formula Regional European Championship in 2021 since he last raced in Australia in S5000 in 2021.

The 22-year-old only started his racing career in 2017 in the New Zealand Formula Ford and Australian Formula 4 Championship.

And in March 2025 he will be alongside the likes of Scott McLaughlin and Will Power in racing on the streets of St Petersburg.

“It is great to announce Tommy to the HMD Motorsports program finally,” said Team President Mike Maurini.

“We are excited to have him aboard, and he is ready to work.

“I had the opportunity to work with his management team over the past few months and with Tommy directly in Nashville, and they are all a great group of people.

“They will be a welcomed addition to HMD Motorsports.”

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Smith off to Indy NXT

Smith already has experience with the team, watching the Nashville finale, and will race alongside Josh Pierson and Ciao Collet.

“The series is competitive, and racing on ovals will be a new experience for me, but I’m excited to get behind the wheel for post-season testing later this month and start working with the team as we prepare for the 2025 season together.”

The 22-year-old only started his racing career in 2017 in the New Zealand Formula Ford and Australian Formula 4 Championship.

“I had the opportunity to work with his management team over the past few months and with Tommy directly in Nashville, and they are all a great group of people.

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