Griffis Test Notebook: Drivers Savor Chance To Learn From Alex Palou

There aren’t many opportunities for INDY NXT by Firestone drivers to share a track with a generational talent like Alex Palou.

The Chris Griffis Memorial Test on Friday, named in memory of Chris Griffis, the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team manager who died suddenly in September 2011, was one of them.

Palou (photo, top) turned a lap of 1 minute, 14.5050 seconds on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course, topping the 22-driver field in Friday’s session.

Some might view Palou’s presence as an opportunity to steal the spotlight. The INDY NXT drivers saw it differently. With their futures potentially taking shape during the test, they welcomed the chance to measure themselves against the five-time INDYCAR SERIES champion in identical machinery.

“It’s very exciting,” Alessandro de Tullio said. “It’s very cool to learn from someone like Alex, getting this opportunity to share the same engineering room and learn from the best. It’s something that’s very valuable and a great opportunity.”

De Tullio drove the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing entry Friday, putting him in the same organization as Palou. The Miami native said Palou’s feedback and approach to the car could be particularly valuable after a season of experience in INDY NXT machinery. De Tullio was sixth fastest on the day.

“Just about everything,” de Tullio said when asked what he could learn from Palou. “He’s very talented, of course. Very successful. He’s driven many different cars, so he knows what to feel in a race car.”

Max Taylor also embraced the opportunity to compete alongside one of the sport’s top drivers. The 2026 rookie finished fourth in the championship standings and drove the No. 28 Andretti Global entry Friday. He was third quickest with a lap of 1:14.8453.

“I think it’s honestly a privilege for us young kids to be able to go on track and be compared directly side by side,” Taylor said. “Now you can literally compare yourself to the best of the best and see how you stack up.”

Taylor added that Palou’s first day in the car made the comparison especially interesting, giving drivers an opportunity to identify their strengths and areas for improvement.

“It’s cool,” Taylor said. “Alex is probably the best driver in the INDYCAR SERIES right now.”

Tymek Kucharczyk, meanwhile, joked about seeing the rookie designation next to Palou’s name. The Polish driver was second quickest with a lap of 1:14.8209.

“When I’ve seen the ‘R’ next to Alex’s name, I was like, ‘Come on, guys,’” he said.

Kucharczyk Helps HMD While Mulling Next Step in Career

Kucharczyk made his INDY NXT and North American racing debut at this test last year, using the opportunity to help secure a full-season drive with HMD Motorsports.

He went on to finish third in the 2026 championship standings. The Polish driver returned to HMD for Friday’s test, bringing the confidence gained from his rookie season as he considers his next steps. Kucharczyk worked with familiar personnel and equipment allowing him to focus on developing the car rather than getting reacquainted with the team.

“Very confident, comfortable that I have the same experience, same mechanic as last season,” Kucharczyk said. “Just brings a lot of positive energy and value to test this car. I don't have to waste time on learning and experiencing new tracks, new tires, new cars, getting on it, getting on a plan.”

Kucharczyk (photo, above) said his plans for the future remain undecided, with the test providing an opportunity to help HMD and evaluate the car.

“We're still working on it; nothing is confirmed,” he said. “I'm here to help out the team and to see the car and do some development, and hopefully we can come to some good conclusions.”

If Kucharczyk returns next season, he has one clear objective.

“There is no other option than not winning, so that's the only goal,” he said. “Next year will be just all about trying to win every single race. If I would come back, then there is one goal, and I'm sure that the team will do anything to support me in winning the championship for them.”

Flörsch Eyes Potential 2027 INDY NXT Return

Sophia Flörsch returned to INDY NXT by Firestone testing Friday, driving the No. 77 Abel Motorsports entry as she explores a potential full-time return to the series in 2027.

Flörsch (photo, above) made her INDY NXT debut in the 2025 season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg with HMD Motorsports, finishing 12th. Since then, the German driver has gained additional experience through development work with Formula E, which she said has helped her mature as a driver.

“The more miles you spend on a race car, the better,” Flörsch said. “I've done a lot of development work for Formula E, so just spent a lot of time with engineers, with many engineers, and just I guess, in general, as a racing driver matured more, so I think that always helps.”

Flörsch said her primary objective at the test was to reacquaint herself with the car while laying the groundwork for a potential return.

“That's why I'm here, kind of to learn to get back into it, to have talks,” she said. “For sure, the intention is to run the full 2027 season and kind of have like a long-term program behind it.”

2026 USF Pro 2000 Standouts Join Test

Several drivers from the 2026 USF Pro 2000 Championship took part in Friday’s INDY NXT by Firestone test, including series champion Jack Jeffers, who drove the No. 92 AJ Foyt Racing entry.

Jeffers captured the USF Pro 2000 title with six victories and four runner-up finishes. He also won the 2025 USF2000 championship and could be in line for a move to INDY NXT. He was 13th quickest.

Leonardo Escorpioni, who finished second in the 2026 USF Pro 2000 standings behind Jeffers, tested the No. 55 HMD Motorsports entry. He was seventh overall Friday. He was joined at HMD by Teddy Musella, who finished seventh in the championship and drove the No. 25 entry. Musella was 20th overall.

G3 Argyros, third in the USF Pro 2000 standings, tested the No. 26 Andretti Global entry, while Frankie Mossman, who finished fifth in the championship, drove the No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing entry. They were 14th and 18th, respectively.

Odds and Ends

• Dennis Hauger, the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year, was on site to help Martinius Stenshorne. The fellow Norwegian drove the No. 27 Andretti Global entry Friday. Hauger made his INDY NXT debut with Andretti Global at this test in 2024 before going on to win the 2025 series championship.

• Reigning series champions Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR entered series veteran Bryce Aron and rookie Jose Garfias in the test. Garfias was 10th fastest, while Aron was 15th.

• Several INDY NXT cars carried stickers (photo, above) supporting veteran driver Jack Harvey, who finished second in the INDY NXT championship in two seasons and revealed his battle with cancer this past week. Harvey has said he plans to continue his INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT broadcasting duties with FOX Sports and attempt to compete in the 111th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 30.