BROWNSBURG, Ind. — Kiko Porto will make his Indy NXT by Firestone debut this weekend, joining Cape Motorsports at the team’s home track, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The 19-year-old Brazilian will also race with the team at the season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (Calif.) in September.
Porto will drive the No. 47 Cape Brothers Speed Shop Dallara IL-15, as he graduates from the USF Pro Championships to the Indy NXT series. This weekend, Porto will pair with Jagger Jones to contest the Indy NXT by Firestone Grand Prix, part of the IndyCar Gallagher Grand Prix weekend at the Speedway.
“We are really looking forward to the IMS race, it’s a track we have raced on already in our rookie INDY NXT season,” said Nicholas and Dominic Cape. “Jagger had a good race in May so we should be in a good place to start.
“Kiko will be joining us for IMS and the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca race, and we are super excited to have him here on our team. We have known him and been watching him for years; we can’t wait to see him drive our car. I think Jagger and Kiko will be a really good pairing.”
Porto has come up through the junior development series ladder, winning the 2021 USF2000 title with four wins, 10 podium finishes and a season-high six pole positions. He currently sits in second place in the USF Pro 2000 Championship standings with five podium finishes on the season.
“We’ve been focused on the USF Pro 2000 Championships this year but in the back of our mind, we wanted to take a look at Indy NXT,” said Porto. “This opportunity with Cape became available and I’m so excited.
“I know Indianapolis well and have had a lot of success here – I understand the track, so that will make the transition a bit easier. I can just focus on adapting to the car, which I’ll have to do quickly since there is just one practice session.
“I will just have to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. It will be a big jump, so I will need to have the mindset of not just repeating what I know with the USF Pro car because that’s not the way to go.”