IndyCar News: Jamie Chadwick Is Ready for 2025 Entry - 'I Would Love to Be Able to Take It'

Alex Harrington | Aug 3, 2024

Jun 21, 2024; Salinas, California, USA; IndyNXT Series driver Jamie Chadwick during media availabilities at the Grand Prix Of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Rising motorsports star Jamie Chadwick has her sights set on the IndyCar Series, with ambitions to join as early as 2025. Known for her achievements in the Indy NXT series, Chadwick is not just sitting back and waiting for opportunities to come to her. “I'm preparing as if I'm going to IndyCar next year from a physical standpoint as much as I can,” she told Autosport.

Chadwick’s transition plan includes rigorous physical preparations and aggressive sponsorship pursuits.

“I'm preparing from a sponsorship point of view, everything to pitch to go to IndyCar,” Chadwick explained.

Her journey towards the IndyCar dream will pass a crucial milestone on September 30, when she pilots an IndyCar for the first time during a test session at Barber Motorsports Park with Andretti Global. This test is pivotal, not just because it's her introduction to IndyCar machinery following two solid seasons in Indy NXT, but also because of the intense preparation involved.

“There's so many things that need to fall into place,” she noted.

Chadwick is no stranger to making history; earlier this year, she became the first woman to win an Indy NXT race on a road or street circuit with a commanding flag-to-flag victory from pole at Road America. She's also the first woman in 13 years to even test for a full-time seat in the series.

The choice of Barber Motorsports Park for Chadwick’s IndyCar test stems from its reputation as a physically demanding venue that reflects well the challenges of IndyCar racing.

“It's a track that every driver talks about being one of the most physical on the calendar," Chadwick remarked. "One of the most demanding. It's a tough track, it's high speed, it's flowing and there are a lot of blind corners.”

As she reflects on her past experiences and upcoming trial, Chadwick remains realistic about her readiness for IndyCar, expressing a desire to assess her performance thoroughly.

“I want to leave that test knowing, 'Okay, in the next few months I can really get on top of this and I think I could be in a good place, or no, I need to reevaluate and think what other options might be for next year,'" she considered.

Open to the possibility of returning to Indy NXT for a third season if needed, she views it as another opportunity to contend for a championship. However, her passion clearly leans towards progressing to the next level.

“I really want to go to IndyCar. I think that we will learn a huge amount in IndyCar. If I have that opportunity, I would love to be able to take it,” Chadwick concluded.

With a proven track record and relentless preparation, Jamie Chadwick is firmly steering towards a future that could see her breaking more barriers in the sport.