James Roe, an Irish driver competing in the Indy NXT series, shared insights on his recent IndyCar test and ongoing career goals in an exclusive discussion with DIVEBOMB Motorsports Magazine. Having raced intensely since the season opened in Daytona, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, Roe highlighted the significance of his October IndyCar test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a pivotal milestone aligned with his dream to secure a full-time IndyCar seat.
Since joining Andretti in 2023 for the Indy NXT championship, Roe achieved the coveted opportunity to test an IndyCar with Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR). Reflecting on that moment, he said,
“I always dreamed of driving an IndyCar and came to America in 2018 with a dream of getting to IndyCar. It was a big deal to get that [test] and then to have it in Indianapolis Motor Speedway, of all places, was even better again.”
This test produced a lap time of 1:11.600 on the Indianapolis Road Course, just behind Mick Schumacher’s fastest time by roughly six-tenths of a second. Roe confirmed their session was comprehensive and paced well, adding,
“We had a great day. Did over race distance worth of laps in the course of the day and was physically fine and pace was pretty strong. So all in all, we were happy with how it went. Itching to get back in one now.”
Targeting Full-Time IndyCar Racing in 2027
With his IndyCar testing experience behind him, Roe’s focus is squarely fixed on a long-term plan aimed at 2027. He acknowledged past opportunities that did not come to fruition but remains determined.
“IndyCar is where I want to be. Full-time IndyCar is the goal and the dream,”
Roe affirmed. He explained that after a three-year stint with Andretti in Indy NXT, he would transition to Chip Ganassi Racing in 2026 to strengthen his chances.
Roe understands the competitive environment he faces.
“There’s no doubt about it that it won’t be a walk in the park. Indy NXT is a very, very competitive championship,”
he emphasized. Confidence runs high with Ganassi’s proven team and resources but he is realistic about the challenge:
“But that’s not saying it’s going to be easy. The goal and the expectation from everyone involved is that we’re at the front and we’re fighting at the pointy end of the grid week in, week out.”
Using Sportscar Racing to Sharpen Skills
To augment his racecraft, especially in endurance formats, Roe has actively engaged in Sportscar competitions, including IMSA and the Asian Le Mans Series (AsLMS). He explained the strategic rationale behind this, noting the difference in racing demands between Indy NXT and IndyCar.
“If you come up the road to Indy, you only ever do a maximum of 50 minutes at a time in a car. There’s no pit stops, no strategy, no fuel saving and no options on tyres,”
he said.
“There’s no pit stops, no strategy, no fuel saving and no options on tyres. If you don’t do sports car racing alongside Indy NXT, you arrive in IndyCar without ever doing pit stops, without ever being in the car for more than 50 minutes. So there’s method behind the madness.”
Sportscar racing offers essential experience with longer stints, pit strategy, and tire management that can translate to success in IndyCar.
Highlights and Challenges in Recent Sportscar Events
Roe’s recent IMSA campaign kicked off at Daytona International Speedway, driving the No. 80 Lone Star Mercedes with teammates Scott Andrews, Lin Hodenius, and Ralf Aron to a solid sixth place in the GTD class. Although promising, the race included unexpected challenges.
Roe recounted a significant technical issue during the event:
“A lot of people don’t know this, but there was a safety car with an hour and a half to go. All our timing screens went down. So we didn’t take a pass around because we didn’t know where we were on track to the relative leader. We actually fell back to last in class on the lead lap, but came back to 6th. The Winward car that won was two spots behind us when that happened.”
Reflecting on the pace of his team, he admitted,
“Did we have the pace to win it? I don’t think outright at the end, but could we have been on the podium? Absolutely.”
Despite the setback, Roe described the race as a clean performance with no driver errors, pit mistakes, or penalties, emphasizing the precision required to win at this level:
“But that’s race. To win it, everything needs to come together. There’s so much to it that one little piece overlooked or one thing at the wrong time, and you’re out of it.”
Experience in the Asian Le Mans Series and Upcoming Plans
Immediately following Daytona, Roe competed in the Asian Le Mans Series with the No. 11 TF Sport Corvette, participating in rounds held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The three-race season, which began in Malaysia near the end of 2025, proved difficult, with Roe and his team finishing 16th in the GT class standings.
When asked about the reasons behind the outcome, Roe expressed uncertainty but pointed to technical factors affecting the Corvette’s performance:
“The front engine and rear engine cars seem to have had a clear advantage if you look at the championship. They just switched the tyre on better and mid-engine cars (such as the Corvette) struggled.”
He explained that the engine placement changes the tire heat distribution, which impacts race pace.
Roe will return to Sportscar racing shortly for the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring, again in the Lone Star Mercedes, aiming to further hone his endurance and race management skills ahead of his goals in IndyCar.
Roe’s Pride in Ireland and Its Growing Motorsport Presence
As a proud native of Ireland, Roe reflected on the importance of national support throughout his journey in the United States since 2018. Maintaining a strong connection with his roots remains central to his identity.
He shared,
“I always love going home to Ireland. The Irish support obviously means the world. I have been over here in the US a long time now. since 2018, which is hard to believe. So having the Irish support, maintaining the Irish support and keeping my roots in Ireland, that’s very, very important to me. I’ve got the shamrock on the forefront of my helmet and that’s something we’re very proud of. There’s nothing like flying the Irish flag in America.”
Asked about the recent surge in Irish motorsport’s international profile, Roe admitted it was difficult to pinpoint an exact cause but saw it as a natural upswing.
“What’s the reasoning for it? I don’t know. I just think it’s probably everything goes in waves and throughs and there’s momentum moments and we’re just in that wave right now. Long may it last. I think it’s just a very healthy time for Irish motorsport on an international stage and hopefully that filters down and starts at the grassroots of the next generation in Ireland and in 10 or 15 years time, we have another crop at this level.”
Looking Ahead to 2027 and Beyond
James Roe’s journey reflects both the highs and frustrations of motorsport careers as he strives toward breaking into IndyCar full-time. His determination to develop through strong performances in Indy NXT and Sportscar racing lays the foundation for his 2027 target.
If Roe can harness the competitive advantage of Chip Ganassi Racing and continue building his endurance and strategy skills in IMSA and AsLMS, he stands a solid chance of realizing his dream. The coming seasons will be crucial in translating his potential into consistent results, with the hope that his Irish heritage and growing fan base will serve as ongoing motivation.
