HMD Motorsports has confirmed Christian Brooks for the rest of the 2024 Indy NXT season, starting with this weekend's round at Laguna Seca.
“This is a dream come true for me and an amazing opportunity,” said Brooks, who may also participate within the Indy NXT oval tests on June 28 at Iowa Speedway.
“My goal is to eventually compete in NTT IndyCar, but this is the next step in achieving that goal and I couldn't be more excited than to do it with HMD Motorsports and with the support of Deploy Surveillance.”
The 23-year-old from Santa Clarita, Calif., Brooks may also proceed racing within the USF Pro 2000 championship, where he currently sits fourth in the general standings because of three runner-up finishes in 12 of 18 races.
The improved schedule means Brooks will pull double duty on the Central Ohio Sports Car Track in July and at Portland International Raceway in August.
“I will be busy these weekends, but my goal for Indy NXT is to learn as much as I can,” Brooks said.
“With four oval races remaining, I will have the opportunity to do two test days and compete in Laguna, Central Ohio and Portland, gaining more knowledge and experience that will hopefully help me fight for the title in 2025.”
Mike Maurini, team president of HMD Motorsports, added: “Christian is a talent and I even have already proven that after I watched him in karting. He has climbed the rankings with some success and now, with the precise funding program and a transparent path to attain his goal, he shall be an actual threat for race wins, podiums and championships for a few years to return.”
Brooks' opportunity comes after a slight turnover within the team's spots, most notably throughout the final round at Road America, which saw Nolan Siegel withdraw from the weekend after receiving an invite to begin IndyCar instead of Agustin Canapino in Hollinger's Juncos Racing. With Siegel withdrawing from this weekend's Indy NXT ride, HMD called up Kiko Porto, who finished twelfthvol.
Juncos Hollinger Racing confirmed that Canapino will return and race for the remaining of the IndyCar season, however the status of Siegel, who currently sits fourth within the Indy NXT Championship standings, stays unknown.
“Over the last few weeks, we have received several calls, text messages and emails from drivers who wanted to fill some of our seats in 2024 and 2025,” Maurini said.
“Looking at the present and the future, Christian quickly became the obvious choice.”
