29, August 2024: Yuven Sundaramoorthy, the young racing star of Indian heritage, achieved a significant milestone by securing his first podium finish of the 2024 Firestone INDY NXT Series season. Sundaramoorthy’s third-place finish in the 11th race of the season, held at the World Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday, August 17, 2024, marks him as the first Indian American racer to achieve a podium finish in this prestigious series.
The INDY NXT by Firestone Series, now in its 37th edition and second year under the INDY NXT banner following its acquisition by Penske Entertainment in 2022, serves as the primary support series for the INDY CAR Series. After making notable guest appearances towards the end of the 2023 season, Yuven returned full-time with ABEL Motorsports for the 2024 season, determined to make his mark.
The 14-race season kicked off on March 10 on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, and has seen thrilling action across a variety of tracks. The 11th race at the World Wide Technology Raceway, a unique 1.25-mile oval located just outside St. Louis, Missouri, provided a challenging yet rewarding experience for Sundaramoorthy. The track’s distinct egg shape and varying degrees of banking in each corner tested the skill and resilience of all competitors.
Starting from the 8th position, Sundaramoorthy demonstrated exceptional racecraft and determination, gradually working his way up through the field. Throughout 75 laps, he maintained a strong pace, navigating the tricky turns, and caution periods, and capitalizing on opportunities as they arose – especially during the starts and restarts. His impressive performance secured him a well-deserved third-place finish, adding 35 valuable points to his season tally.
Reflecting on his first podium finish of the season, Yuven Sundaramoorthy expressed his excitement and gratitude saying,“This podium finish is a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering support from my team and everyone who has believed in me. To become the first Indian American to achieve a podium in the 2024 Firestone INDY NXT Series is an honor, and it’s a moment that I will cherish forever. The race was challenging, especially given the hot temperatures and caution periods, but we approached it with a strong strategy, and I gave it my all on every lap. This result is a testament to the tireless efforts of ABEL Motorsports, and I’m thrilled to share this achievement with them. Moving forward, this podium only fuels my desire to keep pushing, to keep improving, and to aim even higher in the upcoming races.”
Sundaramoorthy’s journey to INDY NXT has been characterized by perseverance and remarkable achievements. As a full-time driver in USF Pro 2000 in 2023, he also completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His racing resume is equally impressive, with successful stints in US Pro 2000, USF2000, F1600, and karting. Notably, Sundaramoorthy made history as the first Indian American driver to win an INDYCAR-sanctioned event in 2021.
As the season progresses, Yuven Sundaramoorthy has his sights set firmly on more podium finishes and race wins.