Matthew Brabham will return to Cape Motorsports for the INDY NXT by Firestone Music City Grand Prix on Sunday, Aug. 4 on the streets of Nashville.
Australian-American Brabham, 29, will drive the No. 47 Cape Brothers Speed Shop entry, with Jagger Jones as his teammate in a pairing that combines surnames of racing royalty. Brabham’s grandfather is three-time Formula One World Champion Jack Brabham, and his father is Indy 500 veteran and sports car racing legend Geoff Brabham. Jones is the grandson of 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones.
Brabham returns to the Cape team with which he won the 2012 USF2000 championship.
“We were able to put some things together over the last week, and we are ecstatic to have Matthew on our team in the 47 car for Nashville,” team co-owners Nicholas and Dominic Cape said. “Matthew won a championship for us back in 2012, and he has done most of the development on our cars over the years. He has also been one of our mainstay driver coaches, so it will be an easy fit.
“Jagger has done really well on the street circuits this year, so we are hoping for that trend to continue in his development. We can't wait to see Matthew and Jagger wield their cars around the streets of Nashville; it will be awesome.”
Brabham finished third in the INDY NXT by Firestone standings last season for Andretti Autosport and recorded two victories, in the season-opening race on the Streets of St. Petersburg and on the oval at World Wide Technology Raceway. He finished fourth in his first INDY NXT start of this season, July 22 at Iowa Speedway with Juncos Hollinger Racing.
“I’ve been with the Capes on and off since I drove for them in 2012,” Brabham said. “It’s been great working with them, whether it’s driving or coaching – or testing. I actually drove a test day with Jagger before his USF2000 season, so we’re quite close.”
“I’m looking forward to the weekend. I was strong on the street courses last year, including Nashville (finishing fourth), and I know the Capes were quick at Detroit earlier this year. Hopefully, we’re fast out of the gate and can build on the momentum I have from Iowa.”
Brabham finished fourth in the INDY NXT by Firestone standings as a rookie in the series in 2014. He also finished 22nd in his sole Indianapolis 500 start, in 2016.
Live coverage of the INDY NXT by Firestone Music City Grand Prix starts at 10:10 a.m. ET Sunday, Aug. 6 on Peacock, INDYCAR Live and the INDYCAR Radio Network.