NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Monday, September 16, 2024) – James Roe and his No. 29 Topcon team brought a fast car to the Music City for the 2024 INDY NXT™ by Firestone Series finale – adding to another strong oval showing for Andretti Global.  

Having shown great pace in a recent test at Nashville Superspeedway, the Irish driver took a measured approach to Saturday’s two practices which saw multiple cars meet the outside retaining wall of the 1.33 mile banked oval. Knowing he had a quick No. 29 Topcon machine under him, Roe was ready to battle for the pole in qualifying; however, the lingering remnants of Hurricane Francine had other plans. Ultimately, qualifying was rained out with starting positions for Sunday’s race set by entrant points.  

Launching from the fifth row of the grid, Roe immediately began to pick his way through the field, executing a series of strategic passes over the first 22 laps of the race that took the No. 29 Topcon car from ninth to fourth. Roe spent the remaining laps of the 65-lap contest strategically hunting the car ahead with the race’s length falling just short of what he needed to secure a spot on the podium for the series finale. 

“It was a great race for us,” said Roe. “Obviously, we were a little bummed about qualifying being canceled because we knew we had lots of pace. I think we needed a few more laps to get on the podium, but the No. 29 Topcon Dallara was fast, and that definitely showed as we went from P9 to P4. Once again, Andretti INDY NXT dominated. I’m excited to see what’s to come.”

The strong result on the oval bumped Roe and his No. 29 team – proudly representing partners Topcon, Ring Power Corporation, CES Power, Strong Roots, Trintech, Tourism Ireland, and The Ireland Funds – to sixth in the final INDY NXT by Firestone Championship standings.  As the season closes, Roe is already looking to the future, with plans to be announced in the coming months. 

ABOUT JAMES ROE

Hometown: Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland

Residence: Indianapolis

Age: 25

2024 Car: No. 29 Topcon Andretti Global Dallara

Points Position: 6

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