Yet Another Fittipaldi Celebrates at Indy
Enzo Fittipaldi celebrates with brother, Pietro (L) and father. Carlos da Cruz (R) after winning Friday’s INDY NXT by Firestone race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
James Black/Penske Entertainment
By Dennis Krause
A Fittipaldi winning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is nothing new.
Friday, it was Enzo Fittipaldi, grandson of two-time Indy 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, celebrating his first career win in the INDY NXT by Firestone Series. In addition to his grandfather’s wins in the 500 in 1989 and 1993, Fittipaldi’s cousin, Christian, took the checkers with co-driver Joao Barbosa in the 2014 Brickyard Grand Prix sports car race.
Run in changing weather conditions, Fittipaldi led the final four laps in the No. 67 HMD Motorsports entry after passing the No. 26 Andretti Global car of Lochie Hughes, who led the first 25 laps of what became a timed race due to a red flag for rain.
It was the rain that played into Fittipaldi’s hands..
“Yeah, I knew we had a chance of rain, and I know I'm super strong in the rain. Always have been really strong in the rain through my junior career. I knew that if there was a chance of wet, I could have a good opportunity because I was starting 10th, so it was a bit far.
“Was definitely not thinking that we were going to be fighting for the win, but even in the dry, I knew I had very strong pace. We started tenth, and then after lap one, I was already in fourth. I did most of my overtakes around the outside on lap one, which I felt, you know, pretty happy about.
“Then when it started raining I said, well, that's even better, I think now I really have a shot for the win. Yeah, the pace was really strong, and I think the team and I, we executed it very well in the last ten laps of the race.
“We had really strong pace. I was studying Lochie in front of me, where his weak points were, and I knew that he wasn't very strong through five and six, so I knew I had to make a move around turn seven.
“It took a few laps to prepare for the move, but I think I executed it well. I just saw that he made a slight mistake out of six, and I had a big run on him and was able to overtake him around the outside of seven and then we got the win. So it was a super nice race.”
Matt Fraser/Penske Entertainment
In large part because of the rain, there were 284 on-track passes, a record for INDY NXT on the Speedway’s 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course.
“I think the rain is just -- it's back to more, like, raw racing,” commented Fittipaldi. “I think there's a lot more the driver can do in those conditions with the lines and easier from drivers to make mistakes as well. So the opportunity window to, you know, move forward is definitely higher in the rain.
“I really enjoyed that race. I think these cars to drive in the rain is very nice. Yeah, I hope it rains some more this year.”
Given his family’s history at the Speedway, Friday’s win was very special for the 24-year-old Fittipaldi.
“I know for me it's very special coming here, because obviously when growing up all my family would talk about was the 500, so we'd always watch the 500 growing up. I was living in the U.S., and we would always watch this race.
“So when I got my first opportunity to test here back in October, that was very special, with the series test there and then the race here was -- getting to race here for the first time was very special for my whole family.
“My dad is here. My brother is here. Some other family members as well. Then first time here and get a win on the first race ever here at Indy is honestly super special.
“Yeah, I mean, pressure in terms of, like, having the name and coming to race at the 500, which my family has a very good, very successful history here at this track. There's no pressure at all. If not, it's good pressure, I think.
“The fans are always, you know, cheering me on here. The support was very nice there after the win. I also saw some Brazilian fans there. Yeah, I'm just happy to be here.”
With Race 2 for INDY NXT on the schedule Saturday, Fittipaldi said his celebration with family and team might have to be limited.
“We're going to definitely go for dinner tonight. I would love to go for dinner with all my family and my team, but obviously the team has to prepare for tomorrow. We still got a race to focus on tomorrow.
“Yeah, for sure, we had a great moment. Definitely have a nice dinner tonight, but, you know, get good rest because tomorrow we're back at it for the next race. Full focus for tomorrow.
“We're going to be starting P7, so further up. I'm confident that, you know, I'll be able to hopefully move forward tomorrow as well, which it will be dry conditions, so it will be definitely more difficult, but the goal will be top 5.”
Fittipaldi’s win vaulted him from fourth to second in the standings, 23 points behind Nikita Johnson entering Saturday’s second race of the doubleheader.
Dennis Krause has spent decades covering all forms of motorsports, including over 40 Indianapolis 500s, with stints at WIBA Radio, PIT PASS - Radio’s Premier Motorsports Magazine and Motorsports Minute. Follow him on X @DennisKrause500 or motorsportsminute.bluesky.social or motorsportsminute on Threads or MotorsportsMinute+ on Facebook.