By: Ashley McCubbin

There is always eyes on the NTT IndyCar Series in the anticipation of watching the best open-wheel stars race for one of the most prestigious championships. But where do they come from? Some of them may come from other premiere forms of motorsports, but a bunch have made their way there from graduating through the beginning open-wheel ranks.

The last step prior to battling at the top level is Indy NXT, where it gives drivers an opportunity to battle in the same style of car on the same schedule with less horsepower. Several drivers that have won championships and races at this level have gone to do the same once they’ve graduated.

As the next class of drivers gets ready to take on the challenge that lies ahead in 2024, here is a look at whom will be on the grid on the streets of St. Petersburg in February.

Bryce Aron (Andretti Global)

Making his way up through the ranks the past couple of years, Aron spent last season in Euroformula Open where he was a championship contender all season, picking up three wins along the way.

Callum Hedge (HMD Motorsports)

Hedge will look to make his mark this season after having done so last year on the Formula Regional Oceania Championship, and Formula Regional Americas Championship. He won 13 of the 18 races en route to being crowned the Formula Regional Americas Champion, while scoring a runner-up in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship.

Jack William Miller (Miller Vinatieri Motorsports)

After spending the past three seasons in USF Pro 2000 Championship competition with a ninth-place result in the standings this past year, the son of former INDYCAR SERIES driver Jack Miller will be making the jump to the next level. For the record, he picked up three top-five’s last year, highlighted by a third at Mid-Ohio SportsCar Course.

Jonathan Browne (HMD Motorsports)

Browne makes the move after placing eighth in the USF Pro 2000 Championship standings highlighted by five top-five finishes.

Lindsay Brewer (Juncos Hollinger Racing)

After gaining experience the past two years in USF Pro 2000 Championship competition with a best finish of eighth at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. The American also has experience and success in the Skip Barber Formula Race Series and the F1600 Championship Series.

Myles Rowe (Pabst Racing)

One of the biggest stories coming into the season, Rowe will hope to keep the success rolling after winning the USF Pro 2000 Championship last season with five wins, nine podiums, and 13 top-five’s in 18 races. It followed a runner-up in the USF 2000 standings in 2022 with five victories there as well.

Niels Koolen (HMD Motorsports)

The upcoming 2024 campaign will mark Koolen’s first season in Indy NXT after getting his feet wet across a series of different divisions the past two years, including the Italian F4 Championship, F4 Spanish Championship, Formula Regional Middle East Championship, and the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine. Before that, he got his start through go-karts.

Yuven Sundaramoorthy (Abel Motorsports)

Although he did not score a top-five finish last season in USF Pro 2000 Championship competition en route to placing 15th in the standings, there has been past success in the USF Pro Championship ranks for Sundaramoorthy. He scored three podiums throughout the 2022 season, including a runner-up on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. He also scored four wins in USF 2000 competition in 2021.