Note: This is part of a series of INDY NXT by Firestone team previews for the 2023 season.

Starting Lineup: Jagger Jones (No. 98 TotalSim US/SimCraft/APEX Motor Club/Cape Brothers Speed Shop Dallara)

2022 in Review: Cape Motorsports did not run in INDY NXT by Firestone last season. The team founded by brothers Dominic and Nicholas Cape ran in the USF2000 Championship, with driver Michael d’Orlando winning four times, including in a riveting season finale at Portland International Raceway to surpass Myles Rowe and Jace Denmark for the title. Jones claimed one win and five podiums en route to finishing fifth in the championship and taking Rookie of the Year honors.

New for ’23: Nearly everything. The only constant, in fact, is retaining the services of Jones as both move to INDY NXT by Firestone. This season will mark the return of Cape in INDYCAR’s top development series, having last run INDY NXT in 2010 in partnership with Wayne Taylor Racing and with Gustavo Yacamán behind the wheel.

Keep an Eye on This: At an INDY NXT private test last month at Homestead-Miami Speedway’s road course, Cape test driver Enaam Ahmed was quickest among the 18 entrants. If that is any indication of the team’s speed, along with adapting to the series’ new tire partner Firestone, there could be something special in the works despite being a small squad among the likes of powerhouse organizations Andretti Autosport and HMD Motorsports, which field four and nine cars, respectively.

Little-Known Fact: Cape Motorsports has a storied history, capturing 14 USF2000 championships, including 10 of the last 12 driver titles. The team has also seen success in sports car racing, earning the IMSA Prototype Challenge championship title in 2006.

Jagger Jones