Andretti Autosport’s Louis Foster will return to the Gateway oval in Indy NXT this weekend as the season reaches its climax.
After this weekend’s race, there will only be three races and two venues to visit in the season as Laguna Seca hosts a double-header finale.
Gateway is a tricky track and while it’s a similar distance to the previous oval at Iowa last time out, it couldn’t be more different in characteristics.
It has much less banking, tyre wear isn’t as much of an issue and it’s driven more like a road course than other ovals.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of a return to Gateway this weekend,” says Foster, who is backed by Copart, a global leader in online auto auctions.
“We tested there recently so I have a bit of an idea of what to expect although the way the track evolves and how well you take care of the tyre always means it’s difficult to predict where everyone will end up in the race itself.
“The preparation on the #26 Copart/USF Pro Championship car this season has been impeccable, so I’m sure we’ll be ready to go in St Louis.”
Foster set the fastest lap on the previous oval at Iowa and while that race didn’t go to plan, it gives him confidence he can challenge for victory on an oval as he did in his Indy Pro 2000 title season last year.
He also set the fastest lap last time out in Indy before suspension damage with another competitor ended his victory charge, leaving him trailing in the championship fight.
“There’s only one thing we can do in the championship, turn up and score as many points as is realistically possible every weekend,” Foster added.
“We won’t take any silly risks but we know we need some big results to finish the year on a high.”
Gateway - Central Time (BST-6) Saturday, August 26 Practice 1 0855-0940 (1455-1540) Qualifying 1145-1230 (1745-1830)
Race 1430-1530 (2030-2130) Indy NXT is available to watch on Peacock TV in the USA and on Sky Sports in the UK for certain sessions. The race on Saturday will be shown live on Sky Sports F1 channel at 2025hrs UK time.
In addition all Indy NXT sessions are available through the IndyCar Live streaming service.