Alessandro de Tullio seized a complete Indy NXT triumph at Portland International Raceway, leading every one of the 35 laps and closing the race 2.169 seconds ahead of the field.
Race Dynamics
The launch from pole was clean for de Tullio, but the second‑and‑third field collided at Turn 1, prompting a late‑night restart after Chip Ganassi’s Carson Etter spun on the exit of Turn 12 on lap 3 and the first caution flagged.
On the lap‑5 restart, the Argentine pushed hard, breaking away from Andretti teammates Lochie Hughes and Max Taylor. The gap widened to 1.878 seconds by lap 15, then further to 2.5 seconds five laps later. While no major overtakes materialised, a brief brawl for seventh‑place saw Niels Koolen clip Myles Rowe at Turn 1, drawing a drive‑through penalty for the avoidable contact.
De Tullio maintained control of the late‑stage race, balancing tire wear and aiming for the fastest laps in the final segments. “It wasn’t easy,” he said after the finish, pointing to the late‑race tire degradation and the effort to close the gap. The Argentine’s steadiness translated into a clean 2.169‑second victory margin over Hughes.
Championship Implications
Enzo Fittipaldi, running for HMD Motorsports, finished seventh, while Nikita Johnson of Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR claimed eighth. The placement moves Fittipaldi into the command of the championship, holding a one‑point advantage over Johnson (476‑475) with three rounds remaining. Myles Kucharczyk sits third in the title fight with 18 points behind Fittipaldi.
Final Standings
Lochie Hughes took second, Max Taylor third. The fourth place was secured by Kucharczyk in the #71 entry, and Jacob Abel completed the top five. Runner‑up Abel, debuting after a championship season finish as runner‑up, noted the early contact and the race’s tight finish.
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