Indy NXT: Lochie Hughes to drive for Andretti Global in 2025

Andretti Global announced today that Lochie Hughes will join the team’s 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone driver lineup piloting the No. 26 Andretti Dallara. The 2024 USF Pro 2000 Presented by Continental Tire Champion is the first Andretti INDY NXT driver to be announced for the 2025 season.

The 22-year-old Australian native began his racing career in competitive karting in 2012 before making his car racing debut in the CAMS Australian Formula 4 Championship Certified by FIA in 2018. After two seasons and a two-year hiatus from racing due to the pandemic, Hughes returned to competitive open-wheel racing in 2022 in the F4 United States Championship powered by Honda, where he won the Championship title with six wins, four additional podium finishes, seven pole positions and five fastest race laps. The Australian driver went on to compete in the USF2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tire in 2023, where he earned the Hyperco Rookie of the Year award with four race wins, eight podium finishes and two pole positions.

Most recently, Hughes wrapped up his rookie year in the USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tire Series as the 2024 Champion boasting impressive stats, including four pole positions, five wins, six additional podiums and the Rookie of the Year award. Hughes will join the Andretti INDY NXT team on track for the first time at the annual Chris Griffis Memorial Test on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on October 18.

J-F THORMANN, PRESIDENT, ANDRETTI GLOBAL

“After an exceptional season for our INDY NXT program, we’re excited to kick off next year’s campaign with the first addition to our 2025 Andretti INDY NXT lineup. Although it’s still early in his career, Lochie has already compiled an impressive resume of success. He’s worked his way up the development series ladder, showing his potential at every step, and we’re looking forward to helping him continue to refine his skills and progress in his racing career. Our focus remains on bringing home wins and our seventh INDY NXT Championship, and we feel that Lochie will be an integral part of making those things happen in 2025.”

LOCHIE HUGHES, DRIVER, ANDRETTI INDY NXT

“I’m so excited to be joining the Andretti INDY NXT team in 2025. It’s a dream to be a part of this historic team, and one that I’ve wanted to race for since moving to the U.S. This year was great for me winning the USF Pro 2000 Championship and for Andretti winning the INDY NXT Championship, so, I hope that I can help be a part of adding another Championship title to Andretti’s record. Right now, it’s all eyes on the 2025 season, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be for next year. I just want to thank my parents for supporting me through my career, my sponsor The McGinley Clinic and the USF Pro 2000 Championship Scholarship for making this happen.”