Enzo Fittipaldi Finds Solid Footing After Arlington Rebound

Enzo Fittipaldi led the first 12 laps of the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Arlington on March 15.

The Brazilian-American rookie (photo, top) appeared on his way to his first victory in just his second career start in the INDYCAR development series. Andretti Global driver Josh Pierson brought out the second and final caution on Lap 11, slowing the field with just under 10 minutes remaining in the 30-minute timed race.

Fittipaldi kept the lead on the restart with three minutes, 35 seconds remaining in the race. Max Taylor, who was quickest in both practice sessions last weekend, closed to within .275 of a second with two minutes left. Taylor dove under Fittipaldi for the lead in Turn 13 and pulled away over the final two laps en route to his first career victory.

“It was hard racing,” Fittipaldi said. “That’s what I love about racing here in the States. It’s raw racing, and I really enjoy that. We had some good battles out there. Unfortunately, we came home second. I’m just a bit frustrated with the result but super happy at the same time.”

Fittipaldi admitted he struggled in Turn 10 during the race in his No. 67 HMD Motorsports entry, allowing Taylor to gain ground in that section of the track.

The .9-mile back straightaway led into Turn 10, making the right-hander one of the trickiest parts of the track to navigate. That proved to be a problem spot for drivers across every series competing in Arlington last weekend.

The key was carrying as much speed as possible into the corner and braking at the latest possible moment. However, bumpy city streets can make it difficult to get the car planted for the right-hand turn.

“I think that's something we need to work on with our setup, especially the car over the bumps,” Fittipaldi said. “We need to make a step forward there, which I'm sure we will.

“I think our speed was all right. Definitely Max (Taylor) was the fastest on track. I think that safety car at the end definitely didn't help us. I just didn't feel as quick after the safety car. It felt like I had a bit less grip out there. It definitely wasn't great for us.

“Still it was a good race. Finished P2. I think now we have good momentum going into Barber (Motorsports Park).”

Fittipaldi (photo, above), the 24-year-old grandson of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, was widely considered a championship contender entering the season and needed a weekend like Arlington after a difficult opener.

Fittipaldi crashed during qualifying at St. Petersburg and started 24th. He recovered to finish 17th but left the event 41 points behind Nikita Johnson after one race.

That’s a stark contrast for the driver who was quick during all the offseason tests.

Fitipaldi finished third during the fall test at Barber Motorsports Park and ranked first or second in all four sessions in January at Sebring International Raceway. He also placed in the top four in nearly every session during testing in late February at Miami International Autodrome, just before the season opener.

The risk of another difficult weekend in Arlington would have created an even larger early-season deficit.

Instead, Fittipaldi qualified and finished second, climbing to sixth in points, 35 behind new championship leader Taylor entering the Barber Motorsports Park doubleheader. Race 1 is at 1 p.m. ET Saturday, March 28, with Race 2 at 11 a.m. ET Sunday, March 29. Each race airs on FS1, FOX One, FOX Sports app and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls.

“I adapted super quickly with the car,” Fittipaldi said. “St. Pete was unfortunate. I think we would have been up there. Just a silly mistake. It happens. That cost us the race weekend there.

“Happy to come here and bounce back, have a great qualifying, super close to pole. I think if the red flag didn't come out (in qualifying), our session would have been definitely quicker.

“But overall, I'm happy to bounce back so quickly from a difficult weekend at St. Pete.”