Elkhart Lake, Wis. (Monday, June 10, 2024) – A trip to Elkhart Lake brought a change of scenery – though not the desired change of fortune – for Irish driver James Roe as he and his INDY NXT™ by Firestone counterparts took on the challenging curves of America’s National Park of Speed.  

Roe came out fast in both practice sessions, laying down laps that secured fourth place in Practice 1 and third place in Practice 2. After waiting out a rain delay, Roe’s qualifying effort was scuttled by a drive-through penalty and a red flag for the session which kept Roe from improving his lap time, resigning him to a starting spot at the rear of the field.

That streak of misfortune followed Roe to race day as the No. 29 Topcon machine – having gained several positions on the start – was hit from behind and pushed off track by the No. 39 car. With the nose cone sheared off, a necessary trip to pits left the No. 29 a lap down for the remainder of the race resulting in an 18th place finish.

“We worked our way forward at the start, but got hit from behind and taken out in Turn 7,” reflected Roe. “Our race was done at that point. We went a lap down right away and just couldn’t recover. We have incredible speed everywhere we go – just need to catch a little luck here soon. Onto the next.”

Roe and the No. 29 team, representing partners Topcon, Ring Power Corporation, CES Power, Strong Roots, Trintech, Tourism Ireland, and The Ireland Funds, have a week off to regroup before the INDY NXT by Firestone series heads west to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for a doubleheader weekend on June 22 (3:35 p.m. ET) and June 23 (4:05 p.m. ET).

ABOUT JAMES ROE

Hometown: Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland

Residence: Indianapolis

Age: 25

2024 Car: No. 29 Topcon Andretti Global Dallara

Points Position: 11

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