May means everything in the world of IndyCar racing, with the Indianapolis 500 capping a month of testing and preparation.
The month is critical for INDY NXT drivers as well, including 25-year-old Black driver Myles Rowe.
Rowe had an up-and-down performance during the two Grand Prix of Indianapolis races last weekend at the historic track. He finished 26th in the first race but picked up the pace to finish sixth in race two.
Rowe entered the 2026 INDY NXT season as a favorite to win the title. Champions from the developmental series have advanced to IndyCar racing — where they get their shot at qualifying for the Indy 500.
Rowe hopes to join the short list of Black drivers who have competed in the Indy 500.
Currently ninth in the INDY NXT driver standings, Rowe’s drive toward the front of the pack could begin at the INDY NXT by Firestone race at World Wide Technology Raceway on Sunday, June 7.
Rowe finished second in last year’s race, and he returned to WWT Raceway for INDY NXT group testing last month, where he shared his thoughts on the season and a future run at the Indy 500.
“A lot of people are talking about the 500. I’m the most experienced of the guys (now racing in INDY NXT),” he said.
To move into the 2026 INDY NXT title mix and possibly earn a shot at the IndyCar circuit in 2027, Rowe said it would take “a couple of wins.”
“A championship would be nice,” he said with a smile.
Rowe has posted his best performances on oval tracks. WWT Raceway is a unique oblong oval, which he mastered during the midweek testing. He posted the fastest cumulative time of the testing session.
“I really like this one,” said Rowe of the WWT Raceway configuration.
“It’s good for passing; better than some of the other (tracks).”
Rowe and his fellow racers had a monthlong break before the Indianapolis races. The testing sessions took place during that period, and Rowe admitted he was anxious.
“I hate breaks like this. I definitely want to race every week, or at least every other week.”
Rowe said he takes advantage of time off to write and pursue “entrepreneurial efforts.”
“I try to balance my focus on other things, not just racing.”
While he has not reached the podium this season with a top-three finish, Rowe took two checkered flags in 2025.
He became the first Black driver to win an INDY NXT race on July 12 at Iowa Speedway and won the season finale on Aug. 31 at Nashville Superspeedway.
Rowe’s Force Indy team was founded by former advertising executive Rod Reid in 2020. The team was created as part of IndyCar’s Race for Equality & Change diversity initiative, which remains active regardless of today’s political climate.
IndyCar CEO Roger Penske and Reid partnered to accelerate the development of young Black drivers, and Reid remains a mentor and strategist for Rowe.
The Reid Roundup
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