![\"Trans](\"https:\/\/speedcafe.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Tommy-Smith-INDY-NXT-By-Firestone-Grand-Prix-of-St_-Petersburg-By_-Travis-Hinkle_Large-Image-Without-Watermark_m122802-copy.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTommy Smith race Indy NXT with HMD Motorsports in 2025. Image: Travis Hinkle<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTommy Smith race Indy NXT with HMD Motorsports in 2025. Image: Travis Hinkle<\/p>\n
Smith is following in the footsteps of his uncle Jack Smith, delving into Trans Am.<\/p>\n
He\u2019ll make his series return at the Hi-Tec Oils Mallala Homecoming for the penultimate round of the series, and will contest the bp Adelaide Grand FInal too.<\/p>\n
Driving for The Racing Academy, he\u2019ll be supported by the Smith family\u2019s business SCT Logistics.<\/p>\n
He\u2019ll have good teammates to compare himself to, with race winner Blake Tracey headlining the team\u2019s efforts alongside Cameron Laws and Cody Maynes Rutty.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s just the second Trans Am start for Smith, who filled in for Jack at The Bend Motorsport Park earlier this year in a TFH Hire Racing entry.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m super excited to be competing in Trico Trans Am again,\u201d said Smith.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like when I competed at The Bend, I was thrown in the deep end a little bit as I had never driven the car before, but now I can go into Mallala with some experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a big transition for me, coming from open wheel categories my whole career to now racing with a roof, h-pattern gearbox, minimal downforce and hitting kerbs.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is certainly a challenge, but my main goal is just to build off what I learnt last time and set myself up for Adelaide.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith\u2019s single-seater career took him all the way to the FIA Formula 3 Championship before switching to IndyCar\u2019s feeder series, Indy NXT.<\/p>\n
Now he\u2019s back on home soil, looking at a future in domestic V8 categories.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdelaide will be really cool, it looks like a really tough circuit from what I have seen while observing my uncle, Jack, but it will be a learning weekend for me to get some practice for my future goals of Super2 or Supercars,\u201d Smith explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe style of event isn\u2019t too different to supporting the Formula 1 events when I raced Formula 3, so I know just to enjoy the atmosphere of those events.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team has produced some great results recently with Blake so I am looking forward to working with this crew and absorbing as much as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Racing Academy team owner Doug Westwood welcomed Smith to the fold.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m genuinely enthused to use the experience we have in developing young drivers in the category to help Tommy get up to speed,\u201d Westwood said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is obviously a good driver, but needs some developing in Trans Am as he hasn\u2019t had much time in these cars yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been fortunate enough to support drivers such as Blake Tracey, Elliott Cleary, Cody Gillis progress in this category so I\u2019m excited to do the same with Tommy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt won\u2019t necessarily be about results, but rather making sure he is comfortable in the car and can improve on his skills outside of open wheel racing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Trico Trans Am Series will have two practice sessions on Friday followed by qualifying and a Top 10 Shootout.<\/p>\n
The series will have all three races across Saturday, November 22 with Race 1 at 1:15pm ACDT, Race 2 at 4:20pm ACDT, and Race 3 at 7:20pm ACDT.<\/p>\n
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