2026 Indy NXT Portland | Practice 2 results

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The second practice of round 14 of Indy NXT at Portland International Raceway has been completed. View the full results here.

An unexpected top five emerged in practice 1, with Chip Ganassi Racing’s Niels Koolen leading the field. Meanwhile, the top three drivers in the championship standings all finished outside the top 10.

Koolen quickly slotted back into the top spot with a 1:04.2706. Andretti driver Max Taylor nudged him out with a 1:03.8019. Jacob Abel, returning to Indy NXT this weekend, recorded a 1:04.3848, slotting into third.

Reigning USF Pro 2000 Champion Max Garcia then put down a 1:03.8508, good enough for third.

Colin Kaminsky did a bit of off-roading at turn 11 before taking the runoff and rejoining the track again.

Kucharczyk bounces back in Practice 2

With over 30 minutes remaining, Tymek Kucharczyk jumped to the top with a 1:03.2431. After finishing Practice 1 in 12th, the championship contender will be aiming for a better showing today.

Three minutes later, Kucharczyk lowered the benchmark for the weekend, with a 1:02.9077.

After a delayed start to his practice session, Alessandro de Tullio jumped up to fifth with a 1:03.4368.

Nicolas Stati took a trip through the grass but avoided damage to his Cusick Morgan Motorsports car. Stati was one of two Indy NXT drivers, alongside Jack Beeton, who participated in the USF Pro 2000 test day at Portland earlier in the week.

“Mr. Saturday,” de Tullio, who has earned seven poles in 13 starts this season, slotted into second with a 1:03.1217.

Red flag for Harrison

With 20 minutes remaining, newcomer Bart Harrison high-sided his No. 17 HMD Motorsports machine over the curbing at the Turn 1 chicane. The incident was similar to James Roe’s off in Practice 1, with Harrison becoming stranded after catching the guardrail at turn 1.

The AMR Safety Team was able to push Harrison clear, resulting in only a brief red flag.

The session restarted with 15 minutes to go. Most drivers began running their first set of sticker tires for qualifying simulations, causing times across the board to fall.

Taylor was the first to jump to the top, with his lap holding up only briefly. Championship leader Nikita Johnson joined the fight at the front with a 1:02.7167 before Taylor responded with a 1:02.6231.

Jacob Abel’s 1:02.6942 put him third, before Beeton jumped to the top with a 1:02.3852.

As times continued to fall, Kucharczyk dropped to 13th, an indication of just how tight the field had become.

Qualifying simulations drop the times

The top 18 drivers were separated by less than a second as Seb Murray moved to the top with a 1:02.2489, leading teammate Josh Pierson.

Portland native Pierson improved to a 1:02.1524 before de Tullio became the first driver of the weekend to break into the 1:01s with a 1:01.9843.

Kucharczyk quickly responded, reclaiming the top spot with a 1:01.8596.

Matteo Nannini, the most recent race winner, slid off track on the outside of turn 6. He recovered and continued, but sat in 15th with a 1:02.5785.

Kucharczyk ended the session on top ahead of de Tullio, Pierson, Abel and Hughes. Championship rivals Fittipaldi and Johnson finished 13th and 14th, respectively, while the top 18 drivers were covered by less than a second.

Indy NXT returns today at 12 P. M. local time for qualifying.