Joel Granfors is directing his racing efforts towards a 2025 title challenge in INDY NXT, the main feeder series to INDYCAR.
Granfors joined the U.S. single-seater ranks in 2023, racing in USF Pro 2000 and immediately winning a race at the fabled Indianapolis Motor Speedway in his rookie year.
For 2024, Granfors had several options on the table to remain in USF Pro 2000 competition. However, the challenging financial reality currently affecting world-wide businesses meant such a programme would not have been viable.
Instead, Granfors will now spend the year working firmly towards an INDY NXT title charge in 2025, aligning with partners and sponsors while intensifying talks with the series’ leading teams.
“It’s actually quite exciting times, with everything that’s going on at the moment,” says Joel Granfors. “You’ve got to do things 100 %, and that’s what we’re doing now. Jumping half-heartedly into a championship is not something I want to do. It will take a lot of hard work from me outside the track this year, but that’s part of life as a racing driver, so I’m looking forward to it!”
At 18 years of age, Granfors is one of the youngest drivers on the INDYCAR support ladder, and younger than all but one of the 2024 INDY NXT racers.
“Time is on my side,” Granfors concludes. “We don’t have to rush. It’s much better laying the proper foundations, even though I understand people would have liked to see me in USF Pro 2000 again this year.”
Joel Granfors will be making several outings in various racing cars in 2024, maintaining his training regime in all ways relevant.