Lochie Hughes & Nathan Brown on IndyCar’s Wild Silly Season
This week on The Pits Are Open, brought to you by SpeedSport and America’s Christian Credit Union, we tackle the craziest IndyCar silly season in decades. With shocking rumors about Verizon potentially leaving Penske, NTT departing McLaren, and Honda’s uncertain future beyond 2026, the grid is full of question marks.
We sit down with Lochie Hughes, rising Indy Next star with Andretti, fresh off a breakout season with wins at IMS and Gateway. Lochie shares his journey from Australia to the U.S., the culture shock of racing for Andretti, his oval learning curve, and how he’s building a life away from home.
Later, Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star—the most widely read IndyCar reporter in the U.S.—joins to break down driver moves, sponsor shake-ups, and what’s really confirmed heading into 2026.
00:00 – 02:20 | Opening: pit stops, silly season chaos, Verizon & Honda rumors
02:21 – 23:40 | Guest: Lochie Hughes (Andretti / Indy Next)
Racing path from karting in Australia to Indy Next
First impressions of U.S. culture and Andretti team dynamics
Career highlights: IMS win, Gateway oval victory, podium consistency
Favorite tracks: Road America, IMS Road Course, St. Pete
Balancing homesickness, friendships, and family support
23:41 – 33:40 | Silly Season Updates
PREMA’s uncertain IndyCar future
Possible driver changes: Rinus VeeKay, David Maloukas, Sting Ray Rob
33:41 – 38:30 | Guest: Nathan Brown (IndyStar)
Will Power to Andretti confirmed
Colton Herta joins Cadillac F1 program
What’s next for Maloukas, Foyt Racing, and Dale Coyne Racing
Lochie Hughes – Andretti Autosport / Indy Next driver, race winner at IMS & Gateway
Nathan Brown – IndyCar beat reporter, Indianapolis Star
🕒 Key Timestamps📚 Mentioned in This Episode🎧 Guests