ouis Foster ended the 2024 Indy NXT by Firestone season in perfect fashion with his eighth win of the year, making him one of the series most successful champions.
He won the championship by 122 points - well over two race wins - and delivered a clean sweep, winning all four oval races this season. He wrapped up the championship a race early in Milwaukee after breaking a number of track records on the way to being crowned the 2024 Indy NXT Champion.
He also finished in the top 10 in all 14 races and top five in 13, scored five hat-tricks of race win, pole and fastest lap and led 362/640 laps on the season. Foster’s average finishing position was 2.07 which is the best ever in the Indycar feeder series.
Foster took pole on the Nashville oval - new to the series this year – after Foster finished at the top in both practice sessions rain then came which halted qualifying and ensured the grid was set based on championship positions.
He maintained the lead at the start of the race and extended a big gap, before a caution on lap 52 of 57 wiped out his advantage.
He came under pressure in the closing stages but held on to secure another race he led from start to finish.
“A race win is the perfect win to end the season,” said Foster, who is backed by Copart, a global leader in online auto auctions.
“I know we wrapped the championship up at Milwaukee but I really wanted to show that we could focus on the job at hand and finish the season in the best way possible, and we managed to do that.
“Andretti Global has given us a great car all year, especially on ovals, and it felt incredible to win the last race.
“It’s been an amazing season. I wouldn’t be here without the USF Pro Championships and the scholarships that these championships offer. Indy NXT has also given me a big opportunity.
"Then of course there’s my family and partners who have supported me through this journey. I am thrilled that Willis Johnson the founder of Copart was here today with me to celebrate this win and to be part of the Championship celebrations.
“We’re not done in this sport by any means, but this title feels like something to give back to all of those people who have been behind me.”
The attention for Foster now turns to test opportunities ahead of next season, where he and his team are working hard behind the scenes to secure a full-time race opportunity in the NTT IndyCar Series for 2025.
As part of the prize for winning this year’s title Foster has earned the budget to race in the Indianapolis 500 and one other IndyCar race, which is yet to be decided.
“We feel like our achievements speak for themselves this year and we deserve a shot at stepping up to continue a long line of Indy NXT champions graduating to IndyCar,” added Foster.
“That being said, we have to work hard to secure a full-time opportunity and my team and I have been doing that and will continue to do that through the off-season.
“We don’t have anything to announce yet but we’re really hopeful we’ll be on the IndyCar grid full-time next season.”
