15-05-2025
Strong IMS Performances Mark New Level of Niels Koolen's Progress
INDYCAR
Niels Koolen has a strong affinity for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Sometimes, drivers just 'click' with certain tracks, whether it's the layout, grip levels or the way the car behaves through particular corners.
Koolen, from the Netherlands, has produced his top two INDY NXT by Firestone performances on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn road course, suggesting a combination of confidence, rhythm and perhaps even a psychological comfort on the circuit.
'I think it's a certain type of track that just seems to reward a certain type of driving,' Koolen said.
Koolen marched from a ninth-place start in the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing entry to finish a career-best sixth in the 35-lap race Saturday, May 10, the second event of the doubleheader weekend. He finished 10th in Race 1 of last year's INDY NXT by Firestone Indianapolis Grand Prix.
'That felt really good,' Koolen said. 'The team has been doing an amazing job and working really hard all weekends, and we're finally able to show what the car and the team can do.'
Koolen's story paints a clear picture of a young driver growing more comfortable and confident in the INDYCAR development series.
His European racing experience on flowing, technical circuits seems to be a strong asset on the IMS road course, which many drivers liken to tracks in Europe.
Koolen began his professional racing career in 2022 driving in the F4 Spanish Championship and Italian F4 Championship. He moved to Eurocup-3, Formula Regional Middle East Championship and Formula Regional European Championship a year later.
He raced in a limited schedule of INDY NXT last season as a rookie, part of a campaign that also included starts in Formula 2 and the European Le Mans Series.
Last year's ambitious schedule, though, was a lot to handle. But driving in a variety of cars helped his ability to make in-race adjustments – like using the roll-bar adjusters – also reflects his growing technical understanding and adaptability, crucial skills in a development series like INDY NXT. These small but critical changes can influence balance mid-race, giving drivers like Koolen an edge in racecraft and car control, especially during passes like those he pulled off Saturday.
The fact that he's now delivering top-10 finishes, and showing awareness of both the strategic and technical sides of racing, suggests he's progressing well. After a whirlwind rookie season, he's settling into his role with more poise and purpose.
'I should have more experience with this type of car and these types of tracks,' he said.
Racing for a prestigious organization like CGR is invaluable for a young driver like Koolen. Being part of a championship-winning operation not only elevates his visibility in the paddock but also gives him rare opportunities to learn directly from legends like Scott Dixon and Alex Palou, who've combined nine NTT INDYCAR SERIES championships, including four of the last five.
Their combined experience, championship pedigree and deep understanding of car setup, race strategy and mental resilience are lessons you simply can't get from data alone. Even short conversations with veterans of that caliber can accelerate growth, whether it's about tire management, overtaking techniques or how to approach a race weekend.
'It's a really good to experience to see how they work,' Koolen said of joining CGR.
The next race is the Detroit Grand Prix on Sunday, June 1 on the streets of downtown Detroit (10:30 a.m. ET, FS1, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).
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