The 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season roared to life on the demanding streets of St. Petersburg, where Juan Manuel Correa secured a hard-fought ninth-place result while Nicolas Stati gained valuable experience in his series debut with a P16 result for Cusick Morgan Motorsports.
Correa delivered a determined and disciplined drive after battling setup challenges for much of the event. Despite struggling to find the ideal balance on the tight and technical street circuit, he worked methodically through the limitations to secure a top-ten finish and valuable early-season points.
“It’s always special racing in St. Pete with so much support from friends and family at my home race, that definitely gives you an extra boost,” Correa reflected. “There’s still plenty to improve, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we can refine the setup and come back stronger in Arlington on a new track.”
On the other side of the garage, Stati opened his INDY NXT campaign with a 16th place finish, using the challenging street circuit as a key learning opportunity as he continues building confidence within the series. The weekend marked an important first step in his development as he adapts to the demands of INDY NXT competition.
“St. Pete was a really good debut,” Stati explained. “I made a small mistake on the first lap that cost us some track position, but I’m really happy with the progression we’re making and hope we can bring this pace to Arlington.”
The team now turns its focus to data and fine-tuning their cars ahead of the next round at the brand-new Grand Prix of Arlington track on March 15, aiming to improve balance and maintain momentum.
Please be sure to follow Cusick Morgan Motorsports on Facebook and Instagram by searching @CuisckMotorsports and @CusickMSports on X. For more information on Cusick Morgan Motorsports visit CusickMotorsports.com.
