Tommy Smith admits his racing style is a little too aggressive at times but has mostly worked in his favor. The Australian forged a path to INDY NXT by Firestone for the 2025 season teaming with HMD Motorsports to drive the team’s No. 16 entry.
Smith didn’t start his racing career until 2017, when he competed in the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship and the Australian Formula 4 Championship. From there, Smith progressed through the Asian F3 Championship, the Formula Regional European Championship and the GB3 Championship.
Smith comes to HMD and INDY NXT after spending the last two seasons in FIA Formula 3, where he secured a best finish of fourth in 2024 at Silverstone, England.
“I am excited to compete in America and am up for the challenge,” Smith said.
He reunites with former FIA Formula 3 teammate Caio Collet, as both drove for Van Amersfoort Racing in 2023.
Collet departed after one year as teammates with Smith for INDY NXT by Firestone, where he finished third in the 2024 standings and earned Rookie of the Year honors.
In 10 road or street course starts, Collet had a 4.9 average finish, including a victory from the pole July 7 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and three runner-up results. A slight improvement on ovals could lift Collet to a championship this season.
Smith’s ambition is to follow a similar trajectory.
A discussion this summer between Collet and Smith nudged Smith to come to America.
Smith, 22, was the guest of HMD during the 2024 season finale in mid-September at Nashville Superspeedway, where his deal with the team was finalized.
“The series is competitive, and racing on ovals will be a new experience for me, but I’m excited as we prepare for the 2025 season together,” Smith said.
Smith isn’t taking the opportunity lightly. He plans to work closely with Collet and HMD and is grateful for the culture where information is shared among the team. Racing in Europe, Smith found information was hidden and not readily available.
“I believe hard work beats talent every time,” he said.
Being in the top development series leading into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is a dream come true for Smith, who has always followed the series. Smith grew up in Australia and always watched the INDYCAR SERIES compete on the Gold Coast street circuit.
He is one step away from the series and potentially making history. A total of 801 drivers have participated in the Indianapolis 500. None have had the surname of Smith, an amazing fact since Smith is ranked as the most popular family name in the United States. The latest census said over 2.6 million people in America have that last name.
Al Smith of Dayton, Ohio, passed his driver’s test in 1967 but made no attempt to qualify. Mark Smith of Portland, Oregon, made attempts in 1993 and 1994 but failed to qualify in both.
Could Tommy Smith become the first Smith?
“INDYCAR is probably one of the best racing categories in the world,” Smith said.