Nicholas Monteiro Joins AJ Foyt Racing in INDY NXT for 2026

AJ Foyt Racing announced Nov. 13 the signing of Nicholas Monteiro as the final driver for its two-car entry in the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone championship.

Brazilian-American Monteiro, 20, will compete in his first full season, driving the No. 4 entry in the INDYCAR development series as AJ Foyt Racing re-enters the championship. His teammate, Alessandro De Tullio, was announced Nov. 5 as a Foyt driver in 2026.

Monteiro made his INDY NXT by Firestone debut with HMD Motorsports in the Grand Prix of Portland in August 2025 (photo, above). He brings a strong foundation of open-wheel experience, racing in USF Pro 2000 from 2023-25 after previous stints in the Brazilian and Italian F4 championships.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to compete in INDY NXT with such an iconic team as AJ Foyt Racing,” Monteiro said. “Driving the INDY NXT car last season in Portland was an incredible experience and gave me a good understanding of what to expect.

“Joining a team with so much motorsports history and passion means a lot to me, and I’m ready to make the most of this chance. I can’t wait to get started and continue building toward my goals.”

Said AJ Foyt Racing Team President Larry Foyt: “Nicholas will be a great addition to our team. He’s shown impressive speed and maturity for his age, and his approach both on and off the track stood out to us. We’re looking forward to helping him continue to develop and seeing what we can accomplish together this season. He and Alessandro already work well together, putting us in a strong position for success.”

Monteiro will continue participating in all official series tests with AJ Foyt Racing ahead of the 2026 season. The 2026 season starts Sunday, March 1 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.