Myles Rowe ended the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone season in style, claiming victory in the season finale Aug. 31 at Nashville Superspeedway.
Rowe led 20 of 65 laps to secure his second career win in the INDYCAR development series – both coming this season.
Just days later, Rowe celebrated another milestone, securing a return to his No. 99 Abel Motorsports/Force Indy entry in 2026 after finishing fourth in the season standings.
“It’s really good to come off a win at the end of the season, knowing we have a confirmed ride for next year,” Rowe said. “Big confidence going into next year. Just pleased the team can end on a high note.
“They do so much. They have so much faith in me. Very happy I could give this to them.”
ABEL Motorsports initially signed Rowe after a difficult rookie campaign with HMD Motorsports/Force Indy in 2024, went he went winless in 14 starts after winning the USF Pro 2000 Championship in 2023.
Rowe repaid ABEL Motorsports’ faith by collecting two wins in his final six races this season, a much-needed boost for his career path.
Winning once, as he did July 12 at Iowa Speedway, was a milestone. Winning twice marked a true turning point.
“The validation is crucial for INDYCAR teams, as that's where we all want to go,” Rowe said. “It’s especially crucial because you know you have the skill, but the teams see results. It's nice when the results start to match what you believe in your heart.”
Rowe’s rise has been anything but conventional. He began racing in karting before moving to the Lucas Oil Formula Car Race Series in 2017 and 2018. But a lack of funding forced him to step away in 2019. The 2020 pandemic made finding sponsorship even harder, and Rowe turned to photography while attending Pace University in New York, fearing his racing career was over.
Then came a lifeline.
Penske Entertainment’s Race for Equality & Change initiative was launched in July 2020 to create opportunities for minorities and women in motorsports. From that, Force Indy was born. In 2021, Rod Reid (photo above, left, with Rowe), founder of NXG Youth Motorsports, gave Rowe his shot in the USF2000 Championship.
Rowe made the most of it, becoming the first Black driver to win a race in the series with a breakthrough victory at New Jersey Motorsports Park.
In 2022, he stayed in USF2000 with Pabst Racing while Force Indy moved up to INDY NXT. That year, Rowe scored five wins and finished just six points shy of the championship, placing second to Michael d’Orlando.
He advanced to USF Pro 2000 in 2023, again with Pabst and continued support from Force Indy. Another five-win season delivered the title and made him the first Black driver to win a North American open-wheel championship.
That championship came with a career enhancement package to compete in INDY NXT in 2024, with Force Indy partnering with HMD Motorsports. But Rowe struggled through his rookie campaign, finishing 11th in the standings.
In 2025, he rebounded with six podium finishes. He made his mark known on ovals with an average finish of 2.5 across four starts.
Rowe also had three podium finishes on road and street courses, demonstrating his versatility and potential.
Rowe is motivated to take another step forward in 2026 and capitalize on the momentum from the end of the 2025 season. While every driver is optimistic during the offseason, Rowe believes he knows where the gains must come.
“There's going to be a lot of work done with my engineer in the shop,” Rowe said. “Honestly, all the engineers. We're going to do a big debrief on everything because we have to work smarter next year – a lot smarter – if we're going to come out on top.
“It’s going to take understanding where we can capitalize, how we can strengthen what we’re already good at and also how to address our weaknesses efficiently during the race weekend. We don’t have many sessions to find pace in this series, so it’s key to be fast right away, especially in qualifying.
“Staying physically fit and prepared will be part of it, but I think the days at the shop are really what’s going to pay off in the long run.”