Lexington, OH. (Monday, July 3, 2023)-  An interrupted qualifying session turned into a tough starting position for James Roe at Mid-Ohio – as the qualifying cadence led the No. 29 machine to miss the opportunity for a final flying lap on a rapidly improving surface and fall from the top 5 to 14th. Though starting 14th, Roe was able to gain two positions and finish 12th in his No. 29 Topcon Andretti Autosport entry while also holding his position in the championship standings.

“Obviously not the race results that we wanted from today,” Roe said. “We still moved up a bit from where we started, but this traffic is notoriously hard to pass around here.”

Sunday’s conditions offered a challenge for the field as a wet surface and a drizzle of rain throughout the race made grip harder to come by around an already tight and technical road course. Those conditions and two cautions slowed the pace and suppressed passing opportunities throughout the 35-lap race.

“We were able to make up some ground towards the end, but we got forced wide and fell back,” Roe said. “So right now I think we just got to put our heads down and keep going forward.”

Roe remains in eighth place in the INDY NXT™ by Firestone standings with 165 points for his partners Topcon, CES Power, Strong Roots, Ring Power Corporation, The Ireland Funds, and GAAPP.

The 24-year-old and his No. 29 Topcon machine will be back in action on Sunday, July 22nd when the INDY NXT series heads to Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa.

ABOUT JAMES ROE

Hometown: Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland

Residence: Indianapolis

Age: 24

2023 Car: No. 29 Topcon Andretti Autosport Dallara

Points Position:8

Social: @jamesroe_ie (Instagram), @jamesroe_IE (Twitter), @JamesRoeJr (Facebook)