Detroit, MI. (Sunday, June 4, 2023)– Ireland’s James Roe continued to showcase his experience and consistency the INDY NXT™ by Firestone championship with two top-ten finishes in this weekend’s challenging doubleheader on the streets of Detroit. Roe drove his No. 29 Topcon Andretti Autosport beautifully on Sunday to finish sixth in the second race of the INDY NXT by Firestone Detroit Grand Prix doubleheader.

After two races around the 1.7 mile, 9-turn street circuit, Roe sits ninth in the championship standing with 117 points – with just 6 points separating him from teammate Louis Foster in 6th place After an unfortunate mechanical issue in the season opener, the 24-year-old has delivered four straight top-ten finishes for his partners Topcon, CES Power, Strong Roots, Ring Power Corporation and The Ireland Funds.

In race one,a full course caution after the first corner made for a dramatic start to the event – including front wing damage for Roe. Despite that damage,, Roe made a gritty drive to improve from his starting position of 13th to sixth place by lap seven..Contact with Danial Frost on lap 22 caused further challenges for the No. 29 Topcon machine with damage to the rear diffuser. Drawing on his deep experience, Roe powered through to hold onto a 10th place finish in his damaged car.

“We just hung in there, it was a crazy race,” Roe said. “Got hit in the start and lost the front wing but decided not to pit and to just persevere. All things considered, with no front wing and a damaged rear diffuser, they were still good points.”

Race 2 offered a clean slate and repaired machine for Roe. Starting 11th, he avoided collisions which brought out two full course cautions. Roe showed his patience and strategic prowess as he , capitalized on others’ mistakes on the tricky Detroit circuit to gain positions and secure a sixth place finish.

“It was a clean race and that is what we wanted,” Roe said. “It’s just so hard to pass around here. Once we got by the drivers in front of us, we dropped them and caught up with the guys in front. There is a lot of pace there and we just have to keep moving forward.”

The INDY NXT series sees action again on Sunday, June 18 at Road America  in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

ABOUT JAMES ROE

Hometown: Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland

Residence: Indianapolis

Age: 24

2023 Car: No. 29 Topcon Andretti Autosport Dallara

Points Position:9

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