MICHAEL D’ORLANDO: BUILDING TOWARDS THE NEXT CHAPTER

After a 2026 season that looked different from years past, Michael d’Orlando remains firmly focused on returning to competition and continuing his pursuit of the next chapter in his professional racing career.

For Michael, 2026 was not a traditional racing season.

Budget limitations prevented him from competing in a full-season program, but that did not mean stepping away from the sport. Instead, Michael spent the year deeply involved in racing — coaching, testing, developing drivers and continuing to build his own experience behind the wheel.

Much of the year brought Michael back to familiar territory within the USF Pro Championships, where he enjoyed some of the biggest successes of his career, including winning the 2022 USF2000 Championship and scoring multiple race victories.

Michael worked with VRD Racing in a coaching role across all series in the program, helping the team and its young drivers through a season that included multiple race victories and podium finishes.

The role allowed Michael to bring his experience as a championship-winning driver to the next generation of racers while remaining immersed in the development ladder that helped shape his own career.

Michael also returned to another familiar organization: Cape Motorsports, the team with which he captured his 2022 USF2000 title.

This time, his role came at the INDY NXT level with Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR.

Working with the team in a coaching capacity, Michael was part of a successful 2026 campaign that saw the organization earn multiple race victories and podium finishes and ultimately capture the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone Drivers’ Championship.

It was a significant accomplishment for the organization and another valuable season for Michael inside an INDY NXT program he knows well.

Michael competed with Cape Motorsports in INDY NXT during partial seasons in both 2024 and 2025, and his goal remains unchanged: return to the INDY NXT grid as a driver and continue pursuing his path toward the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

While his own race schedule was limited in 2026, Michael continued to stay active behind the wheel.

His season also included private driver instruction and a variety of testing and development opportunities, including time in prototype race cars.

Each opportunity added another layer to Michael’s experience — as a driver, coach and development resource — while keeping him sharp and prepared for his next opportunity to compete.

Looking Toward 2027

The work now turns toward 2027.

Michael continues to pursue opportunities to return to INDY NXT competition. Funding and commercial partnerships remain a critical part of making that return possible, and the coming months will be focused on team discussions, testing opportunities and building the partnerships necessary to put together a competitive program.

The path through professional motorsports is rarely a straight one. While 2026 may have looked different from previous seasons, Michael remained at the racetrack, continued adding to his experience and stayed closely connected to the teams and series where he hopes to compete.

The objective remains the same: get back behind the wheel, get back on the grid and continue the climb toward INDYCAR.

Stay connected with Michael through his official website and social media channels for announcements, behind-the-scenes updates and news on his 2027 racing program.