There are just three oval races on the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone schedule, with the first circle-track race June 7 at World Wide Technology Raceway.

But that didn’t stop all 24 drivers from preparing for those vital oval races during a group test April 2 at Nashville Superspeedway. The 1.33-mile concrete oval is the site of the second oval race of the season for the INDYCAR development series, on July 19.

It’s time for some itemized deductions.

Oval Master Rowe Rises to Top

Myles Rowe established himself as the top oval racer in INDY NXT last season, earning his first two victories in the series in July at Iowa Speedway and to close the season in August at Nashville. Rowe (photo, top) had an impressive .500 strike rate (2-for-4) on circle tracks last year with ABEL Motorsports with Force Indy.

That trend continued Thursday, as Rowe led the test with a top speed of 184.682 mph in the No. 99 ABEL Motorsports with Force Indy entry.

Rowe probably wishes an oval race occurred earlier in the schedule. He entered his third season in the series as a title favorite but is enduring a slow start, ninth in the standings after four races on street and road courses.

Still, the impressive performance in the Nashville test will do nothing to tarnish his reputation as arguably the best oval racer in the series. It also won’t quiet the few whispers about Rowe possibly landing an Indianapolis 500 ride this May.

Taylor Not Messing Around

Max Taylor proved he is a durable title threat this season, his first full year in the series, by ending up second at 184.330 in the No. 28 Susan G. Komen car of Andretti Global.

Taylor is second in the standings this season, with a victory at Arlington. He trails leader Nikita Johnson by 23 points.

Johnson was eighth in the test at 183.112 in the No. 21 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR car.

Slow Adjustment to Ovals for Kucharczyk, Fittipaldi

Series rookies and HMD Motorsports teammates Tymek Kucharcyzk and Enzo Fittipaldi have been the best drivers this season among those who haven’t visited Victory Lane. Kucharczyk is third in the standings, with top-five finishes in all four races. Fittipaldi is fourth in points, with three top fives.

But ovals could be a challenge for both, if this test is any indication.

Kucharczyk was 21st out of 24 drivers at the test with a top lap of 180.627 – more than 4 mph off Rowe’s leading pace – in the No. 71 HMD Motorsports machine. Fittipaldi struggled even more, 23rd at 180.211 in the No. 67 HMD car.

Both will need to find comfort and pace on circle tracks if they don’t want to lose ground in the standings this summer.

Bounce-back for Hughes?

Rowe isn’t the only driver probably happy to see ovals coming up on the schedule this summer. Last year’s WWTR winner, Lochie Hughes, was third at this test at 184.294 in the No. 26 Andretti Global machine.

Hughes is the top returning driver to the series this season after finishing third in the standings behind champion Dennis Hauger and runner-up Caio Collet – both promoted this year to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES -- as a rookie last season. He also is enduring a tough start, seventh in the standings after entering this season as a title favorite.

The strong performance by Hughes mirrored that by his team at this test. Andretti Global drivers ended up third, fourth and fifth, as series veteran but team newcomer Josh Pierson rounded out the top five at 184.262 in the No. 29 Starchive Andretti entry.

Niels Koolen

Ganassi Flexes on Ovals

Chip Ganassi Racing won the biggest oval race of them all, the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, last season with Alex Palou. And the team’s INDY NXT operation also showed circle-track strength in this test.

Drivers Bryce Aron and Niels Koolen ended up sixth and seventh overall, respectively, despite both being outside of the top 10 in championship standings. Aron stopped the clocks at 183.466 in the team’s No. 9 entry, while Koolen (photo, above) was right behind at 183.297 in the No. 10 CGR machine.

Up Next

The series has a break until the next race Friday, May 8 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. It’s the second of five doubleheader events this season for INDY NXT by Firestone, as the second race will take place Saturday, May 9 on the 14-turn, 2.439 mile road course.