Finding an avenue onto the IndyCar grid is a difficult task, and is proving to be the case for many young stars from Indy NXT heading into 2025.
Louis Foster, Jacob Abel and Jamie Chadwick are all inside the top six of the feeder series championship, but have so far been unsuccessful in trying to find an IndyCar drive for the future.
Even some established drivers such as Marcus Armstrong are yet to have their plans confirmed for 2025, despite some very respectable performances in the final stages of the season.
But teams like Dale Coyne Racing have been giving opportunities mid-season to young drivers with the budget to make the big step up, even if it’s just for a few events.
Toby Sowery impressed Dale Coyne during brief IndyCar spell
Speaking to RACER about driver line-up decisions, Dale Coyne admitted that it isn’t a problem to be changing drivers if he cannot find two with the budget to do a full season.
In fact, he was impressed with Hunter McElrea – who graduated from Indy NXT in the middle of the season, to race for his team.
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“It’s never a bad thing if you have to; it’s what we did that this year,” he said. “In all honesty, just about every single Indy Lights driver has called up and wants to do a race or two.
“We had to pick and choose what we did to get through. Toby Sowery did a few races, and he did a great job. Luca Ghiotto from Europe did some, and then Hunter McElrea, he made the most out of his one weekend, and he sure made an impression when he did it.
“So, yeah, I think it’s been good for these drivers to have some place to try and showcase what they’ve got, and that’s worked out good for next year.”
Which drivers could Dale Coyne choose for 2025?
There are a few standout drivers left on the free agent market, but it would be difficult for Dale Coyne to snap up the likes of Alexander Rossi or Rinus VeeKay with the budget restrictions he has.
The likes of Louis Foster, Jacob Abel or Jamie Chadwick could be some great Indy NXT choices for him to mull over – all of which are eager to get their big IndyCar chance.
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Romain Grosjean is also assessing his options, and hasn’t accepted a proposal from Juncos Hollinger Racing yet – he would bring a great blend of speed and experience.
Whichever route Dale Coyne ends up going for, they will need to make sure that they put themselves in the best position possible to improve their results in 2025.
They have failed to pick up a single top 10 finish this year, and that’s a statistic that will need to change going forwards to make running a team sustainable.