After joining HMD Motorsports midway through the 2022 season, Kyffin Simpson will return to the team in 2023 for his sophomore year in Indy Lights.

Simpson, 18, from the Cayman Islands, produced a best finish of fifth in 2022 at Barber Motorsports Park and in the first race of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. He joined HMD at Iowa Speedway, the ninth round of the season.

HMD won the Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires championship this season with driver Linus Lundqvist.

“I’m excited to continue working with a team that understands how to win,” Simpson said. “I feel I’ve progressed as a driver since joining HMD earlier this year, and I am confident we can build on that momentum to have a much stronger season.”

Chip Ganassi Racing development driver Simpson will participate in an extensive offseason test program for HMD and will continue to sharpen his skills in IMSA sports car events. Simpson was part of the winning three-driver GTD class team earlier this month at the Petit Le Mans endurance race at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

“HPD and Chip Ganassi Racing have been very supportive in the offseason, culminating in a crazy win at Petit Le Mans,” Simpson said. “It felt good to get back on the top step. In 2023 we have the tools and the people around me to deliver a step forward in performance. Race wins and podiums are the goal.”

Moving up from karting at 15 years old, Simpson began his open-wheel career in 2020 when he competed for the first half of the season in the Formula 4 United States Championship powered by Honda, before moving up to the Formula Regional Americas Championship powered by Honda.

In 2021, Simpson won the FR Americas championship with seven wins. He also competed in Indy Pro 2000 Presented by Cooper Tires in 2021, finishing seventh in the championship with three podium finishes.

“We welcome Kyffin to the team for his first full season with HMD Motorsports,” HMD General Manager Mike Maurini said. “Understanding what is needed to win for Kyffin and his management program has put the right people in the right places for success in 2023 and beyond.”

HMD announced after this season plans to field eight cars in Indy Lights in 2023. So far, the team has named Simpson, Josh Green, Christian Bogle, Danial Frost, Nolan Siegel and Christian Rasmussen as drivers in 2023.