{"id":32809,"date":"2024-05-31T10:38:01","date_gmt":"2024-05-31T14:38:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=32809"},"modified":"2024-05-31T10:38:01","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T14:38:01","slug":"indy-nxt-racer-nolan-allaer-comes-home-for-his-detroit-grand-prix-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2024\/05\/indy-nxt-racer-nolan-allaer-comes-home-for-his-detroit-grand-prix-debut","title":{"rendered":"Indy NXT racer Nolan Allaer comes home for his Detroit Grand Prix debut"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Detroit<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Grosse Pointe Woods native Nolan Allaer will be competing in his backyard at this weekend\u2019s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. But whether learning a new track, Fowling in the pit lane, or rubbing shoulders with IndyCar superstars at the Renaissance Center media luncheon, it all feels new.<\/p>\n

The Indy NXT rookie is juggling his racing career with a college career at Miami University in Ohio. On track and in the classroom, it\u2019s been a learning year for the 22-year-old junior as he pursues his dream to be an IndyCar racer and mechanical engineer.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was very busy during finals week as were competing at Indianapolis,\u201d Allaer said of the Firestone Grand Prix that took place on Indy\u2019s infield road course May 13. \u201cI start a summer course for mechanical engineering on July 1 so I have a little break until then to focus on racing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Grosse<\/figure>\n
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Grosse Pointe native Nolan Allaer made his Indy NXT debut in St. Petersburg. He brings those street smarts to the Detroit GP. Joe Skibinski, Indy NXT<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Three-time SCCA national champion Allaer has had his work cut out for him on the track where he graduated from Formula Ford-class racecars to the Indy NXT class. It\u2019s a big jump from the 160-horsepower, low-downforce Formula Ford waterbugs he last raced in the U.S. and England to the 420-horsepower, winged, high-downforce Indy NXT cyborgs.<\/p>\n

The FF cars can reach two G-loads in a corner \u2014 twice that of a production sports car. The NXT racers? Up to a neck-straining four G-loads.<\/p>\n

Since his debut at St. Petersburg March 10, Aller has completed all four Indy NXT races for his HMD Motorsports team while amassing 58 points for 16th place among 23 drivers in the standings. Like Triple-A baseball, Indy NXT is the stepping stone to IndyCar racing. Graduates include last year\u2019s Indy NXT champ, Christian Rasmussen, Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden, and Scott Dixon.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going really well. It\u2019s hard to look at results, I\u2019m not used to running below the top 10,\u201d said Allaer, one of only four American drivers to win England\u2019s famed Brands Hatch FF race. \u201cBut every time I get in the car I feel more comfortable. Having nine (HMD Motorsport teammates) on the grid really helps when I can look at all their data and video. It really makes the learning curve easier.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among his teammates are veteran open-wheel racers Nolan Siegel and Myles Rowe \u2014 second and fifth in the championship respectively.<\/p>\n