He may not yet be a household name in New Zealand but east Auckland local Callum Hedge is quickly making a name for himself in the motorsport world overseas.
Hedge, who lives in Bucklands Beach when he’s not racing, finished in fourth place in the drivers’ championship in his rookie season in the INDY NXT by Firestone series.
Fresh off that success he’s revealed he’s joining the ABEL Motorsports team for his second season in 2025.
Hedge will continue to pilot the no. 17 Dallara car as the now 21-year-old continues his journey to the NTT Indycar series.
Last year was also a success for Hedge has he made the jump to INDY NXT after being crowned champion in both the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and Formula Regional Americas championships.
He’s been quick to impress, racking up eight top tens, five top fives, and his first series podium at the Detroit Grand Prix on his way to fourth in the drivers’ championship.
“I feel incredibly pleased to be joining ABEL Motorsports in INDY NXT for 2025,” Hedge says.
“2024 was a great season for me, and I really feel like I learned a lot about not only the Indy NXT car but the series as a whole.
“That should make 2025 a bit smoother, only having to focus on extracting the most out of the car as possible.”
As Hedge evaluated his options for the 2025 racing season, he knew INDY NXT was where he wanted to be.
After testing with ABEL Motorsports he knew that was the team he wanted to be with.
“Coming over to race in INDY NXT after 2023 was a huge step for me, but after winning both the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and the Formula Regional Americas championship I just felt the time was right to make the move,” he says.
“I wouldn’t be here without the amazing support from The Tony Quinn Foundation, Giltrap Group, Tasman Motorsports Group, and Contract Flooring.
“They saw something in me and made it happen. Our goal in 2025 is simple – contend for the INDY NXT by Firestone championship.
“2024 was a time for learning and growing, but now joining ABEL Motorsports I feel really confident about our chances of being a winner in 2025 and continuing the great lineage of Kiwi’s in the INDYCAR system.”
With another new face added to the ABEL Motorsports driver lineup for 2025, team principal Bill Abel says he feels the pieces are falling into place to set his team up for a very successful 2025 season.
“We’re very excited to have Callum join us at ABEL Motorsports for the 2025 INDY NXT season.
“The speed Callum showed last season proves he has what it takes to get the job done.”
The quest for the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone championship begins for Hedge and ABEL Motorsports on March 2 with the annual trip to St Petersburg, Florida.
