SALINAS, Calif.  (Monday, June 24, 2024) – The technical, physically-demanding terrain of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca brought both success and heartache for Irish driver James Roe as his No. 29 Topcon team took on an INDY NXT™ by Firestone doubleheader in The Golden State.   

On the acclaimed 2.238-mile, 11-turn road course, Roe showed pace and poise across both practices, ultimately securing 7th place grid positions for both races during Saturday’s qualifying session. 

In Race 1, the No. 29 Topcon entry battled traffic at the start, falling a few positions on the opening lap before starting to methodically climb back. Roe consistently kept the car in the top 10 while hunting for positions across the circuit’s rolling terrain. Coming into the final lap in 6th position, the Irish driver set-up and executed a Turn 1 pass on the No. 99 to secure a spot in the Top 5.  

“We needed that result,” said Roe following Saturday’s race. “We got boxed in a bit at the start, which made our race a little tougher than it had to be. We worked on our time, trusted the car, and let the race come to us. Happy to get a good points day for the No. 29 Topcon crew.”

Coming off of Saturday’s strong result, Roe was poised to fight for position again in Race 2, but his No. 29 machine experienced a mechanical issue that forced him off-track on Lap 25. Though Roe was able to safely navigate the car back to pit lane, the crew determined that repairs were not feasible in the laps remaining, forcing the early retirement of the No. 29 Topcon team. 

“It was an unfortunate race for us today with a mechanical issue at the halfway point – that put us out of it,” said Roe on Sunday afternoon. “As fighters do, we’ll dig in and come back strong in two weeks.”

Following an off week, Roe and his No. 29 team, representing partners Topcon, Ring Power Corporation, CES Power, Strong Roots, Trintech, Tourism Ireland, and The Ireland Funds, will race into the Buckeye State for the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 7 (11:25 a.m. ET). 

ABOUT JAMES ROE

Hometown: Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland

Residence: Indianapolis

Age: 25

2024 Car: No. 29 Topcon Andretti Global Dallara

Points Position: 10

Social: IG – @jamesroe_ie, X –@jamesroe_IE, FB – @JamesRoeJr