The path from INDY NXT by Firestone to the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge has never been clearer entering Sunday’s 110th Running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

This year’s field shows how deep the connection has become between the INDYCAR development series and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Twenty of the 33 starters made at least one INDY NXT start before reaching the “500,” underscoring the growing role the series plays in preparing drivers for the biggest stage in open-wheel racing.

That pipeline has accelerated in recent seasons. Winners of 30 of the last 38 INDY NXT races entering the 2026 season are part of this year’s Indy 500 field.

Eight of the final 10 races in 2023 were won by drivers preparing for Sunday’s race. Hunter McElrea, now reserve driver for ECR, earned the other two victories during that span.

In 2024, 13 of 14 INDY NXT races were won by drivers competing in this year’s “500.” Jamie Chadwick was the only race winner from that season not in this year’s field.

Even with another wave of young talent arriving in 2025, the transition remained evident. Nine of 14 races last season were won by drivers among this weekend’s starters, all by Dennis Hauger and Caio Collet.

Several drivers in this year’s Indianapolis 500 field arrive with extensive winning experience from INDY NXT competition.

Louis Foster

Louis Foster (photo, above), driver of the No. 45 Droplight Honda for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, leads the group with 10 career INDY NXT victories between 2023 and 2024 before advancing to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Hauger, who drives the No. 19 Only Bulls Honda for Dale Coyne Racing, earned six victories during his championship-winning rookie season last year.

Collet, driver of the No. 4 Combitrans Amazonia Chevrolet for AJ Foyt Racing, and Christian Rasmussen in the No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet for ECR each earned four INDY NXT wins. Nolan Siegel in the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet and Jacob Abel in the No. 51 Abel Construction Company Chevrolet each collected three victories in their time in INDY NXT.

INDY NXT also provided a critical adjustment period for Hauger and Collet after arriving from Europe, especially on oval tracks.

“I'm happy that I got some experience with INDY NXT before going into INDYCAR,” Hauger said. “I think that made me more prepared for this year, knowing most of the tracks. Especially the ovals, I learned a lot of things that I can bring with me into the future.”

Norwegian Hauger, who came from FIA Formula 3 and FIA Formula 2, said the style of racing in the United States immediately suited him.

“Coming over to INDY NXT, it was really a breath of fresh air for me,” Hauger said. “It was a lighter car. The car could move around a bit. You could really tackle the corners more and handle the car in a different way, which suited me straight away.”

Caio Collet

Brazilian Collet (photo, above) echoed that sentiment after making the transition from Europe.

“It’s a dream come true to be in INDYCAR,” Collet said. “Coming here to the U.S. and now racing in such a competitive championship like INDYCAR is what every driver wants to achieve.”

He also credited INDY NXT with teaching the qualities required to compete at the top level.

“Definitely consistency,” Collet said. “It's what you need to win any championship.”

The experience throughout this year’s Indianapolis 500 field reflects that evolution. Along with Hauger, Collet, Foster, Abel, Siegel and Rasmussen, drivers including Pato O’Ward, Josef Newgarden (photo, top), Scott Dixon, Kyle Kirkwood, Felix Rosenqvist, David Malukas, Graham Rahal, Rinus VeeKay, Kyffin Simpson, Conor Daly, Helio Castroneves, Ed Carpenter, Sting Ray Robb and Jack Harvey all have INDY NXT backgrounds.

Between this group are 170 INDYCAR SERIES race wins, including seven in the Indy 500, and eight INDYCAR SERIES championships.