Kiko Porto Overcomes Difficulties and Considers His Return to Indy NXT at Road America a Success

Elkhart Lake (WI), June 10, 2024

Eight months away from a Formula car cockpit might seem short to some, but those in motorsport understand the difference made by the lack of constant training and competition in these categories. Brazilian driver Kiko Porto (Banco Daycoval) had the chance to return to the race cars this weekend at the Elkhart Lake stage, on the Road America circuit, during the sixth round of the Indy NXT, the feeder series for IndyCar. Kiko replaced American Nolan Siegel in car number 39 for the HMD Motorsports team and finished the event in twelfth place.

The Brazilian driver participated in only one practice session on Saturday (8th) before heading straight to the qualifying session. Taken by surprise by the opportunity to line up on the Indy NXT grid, Porto used Siegel’s seat and car adjustments and still managed to achieve the eighteenth fastest time in the sole practice session. In the qualifying session, also on Saturday, he secured the ninth fastest time in Group 1 and lined up on the ninth row on Sunday (9th).

“In the first practice, the steering wheel was a bit far for me. Later, I used Rasmussen’s seat, which brought me closer to the wheel, but I was making high-speed turns only with my left hand because there wasn’t enough space for me. The team sent for my seat, which was in Indianapolis, and now it’s much more comfortable to drive,” explained Kiko before Sunday’s race.

In the race, after the start, Kiko Porto had already made four overtakes in two laps and was in the fourteenth position when he didn’t see that driver James Roe had broken his front wing right in front of him, and both ended up on the grass. The driver from Pernambuco had to pass through the pits to serve a Drive-Thru penalty and rejoined the race at the back of the pack. Even so, he managed to recover some positions and finish the race in twelfth place.

“I didn’t see that Roe’s car wing was broken; he suddenly slowed down, and we ended up on the grass, unfortunately. But after the penalty, I managed to set a good pace, gaining some positions. The car is very fast, it was difficult to find the braking points, and I had to do that during the race. It was a very good comeback, even without any preparation. But it was very good to return, even if only for one race,” Kiko Porto explained.

In the 2024 season, the Brazilian driver is competing in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo with the Ansa Motorsports team, and alongside his French teammate Nico Jamin, he faces the Watkins Glen round between June 21 and 23 in New York state. Porto and Jamin have already reached the podium in all four races contested so far, with three victories for the duo.

Text by Kako Marques / KMCom Assessoria

Kiko Porto on Instagram:
@kikoporto_12

Kiko Porto on YouTube:
@KikoPorto12

Kiko Porto's Website:
www.kikoporto.com.br