Jamie Chadwick made history in this morning’s Indy NXT race at Road America, becoming the first female winner on a Road Course in the series’ history.
Chadwick led all 20 laps from the pole to come home less than one second ahead of British compatriot and Andretti Global teammate Louis Foster, surviving three restarts along the way.
“I have no words,” Chadwick said. “Honestly, I’m a bit emotional. We’ve had an unbelievable car this year and just haven’t been able to do anything about it. I’m just so happy we held on there.”
Championship leader Jacob Abel remains atop the standings with a third-placed finish.
New Zealand’s Callum Hedge battled within the top ten to finish a respectable sixth.
The Tony Quinn Foundation Ambassador bounced back from a crash early in the second practice session in wet conditions to qualify eighth before gaining two places in the race.
Abel got the best launch of the lead group from fourth on the grid and climbed to second when Foster ran wide at Turn 1 while attempting a move for the lead on Chadwick.
The three-time W-Series Champion retained the lead through two early restarts.
Foster moved back into second at Turn 1 on Lap 13, with his teammate 1.3 seconds up the road. Chadwick held off a series of challenges from Foster to keep the position before the Brit was forced to defend his position again from Abel.
Myles Rowe then spun on Lap 16 and collected Jordan Missig on his way into the gravel trap. Both drivers were unhurt but left stranded, triggering a red flag for a two-lap dash to the chequered flag.
Chadwick held on at the restart and was never challenged as she went on to win by eight-tenths, with Abel only two-hundredths off Foster in a late lunge for second.
Reece Gold was fourth, ahead of top rookie Caio Collet and Hedge, who was second of the 14 rookies in the 21-car field.
Hedge sits sixth in the championship standings after six races, 100 points behind Abel.
Indy NXT returns in two weeks for a double-header at Laguna Seca.
Header Image: Penske Entertainment: Justin Walsh
