INDIANAPOLIS — Chip Ganassi Racing has signed Irish-born James Roe and Californian Carson Etter to grow its Indy NXT by Firestone efforts in 2026.
The two will join Bryce Aron and Niels Koolen in the team’s expanded four-car lineup.
After an 18-year absence, Chip Ganassi Racing returned to Indy NXT last season and placed both the No. 9 Jaguar Land Rover Chesterfield car, driven by Aron, and the No. 10 Super B Batteries car, driven by Koolen, into the top 10 in entrant points.
Etter, a Villa Park, Calif., native will make his Indy NXT debut in 2026 with Chip Ganassi Racing, driving the No. 11 GATC Health car. An Arizona State University student, Etter completed his rookie season of USF2000 in 2024 with four top-10 finishes and one fastest lap at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. He began his racing career in 2017 with off-road truck racing.
“It feels like ‘thank you’ isn’t enough, but I’d like to give a huge thank you to Chip Ganassi Racing for this opportunity to compete in Indy NXT by Firestone,” Etter said. “I’ve dreamed of racing with this team since I was a kid and I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since they called and said I’m a part of the Ganassi family. This team has a culture that will push you past what you thought you were capable of, even in practice, and turn it into results on race day.”
Irish driver James Roe will join Chip Ganassi Racing in the No. 8 Topcon car for his fourth full season in the Indy NXT championship. Roe has one pole and numerous podiums and top fives in his Indy NXT career. In addition to Indy NXT, James is a regular in sports cars, including IMSA and the Asian Le Mans Series.
“I’m incredibly excited to join Chip Ganassi Racing and take this next step in my journey toward IndyCar,” Roe said. “Competing with one of the most successful teams in the sport as they grow their Indy NXT program is a unique chance to combine my experience in the series with their championship-level culture. The IndyCar paddock is where I want to be and I’m more determined than ever. The goal is to create something special together this season.”
Aron returns to the No. 9 Jaguar Land Rover Chesterfield car in 2026. An important member of Chip Ganassi Racing’s return to Indy NXT in 2025, Aron scored one top five and six top-10s in 13 starts with CGR, finishing 11th in the drivers’ championship.
Koolen also returns to the No. 10 Super B Batteries car next season. Koolen impressed fans with his great runs on ovals in 2025, building consistent results across the season to finish eighth in the championship standings. Koolen will aim higher in 2026, looking to build on his one top-five and seven top-10 finishes last season.
