Caio Collet and Dennis Hauger are locked in a fierce competition for the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone championship, with just two races remaining. Collet’s recent surge, highlighted by a commanding double victory at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on July 26-27, has reignited the championship fight. Yet Hauger maintains a significant points advantage as the contenders prepare for the season’s final rounds on ovals.
Collet’s Comeback Sparks New Hope in the Title Race
Collet’s impressive back-to-back wins at Laguna Seca marked a turning point in the championship, reducing Hauger’s lead substantially. Following those performances, he secured pole position at Portland International Raceway, aiming to build momentum. Despite this, Hauger fired back at Portland, starting from third and overtaking Collet immediately at Turn 1 to claim his sixth victory of the season, showcasing his determination to defend his lead.
Hauger’s Focus Remains Sharp Despite Collet’s Challenge
With two races left at the Milwaukee Mile on August 24 and Nashville Superspeedway on August 31, Hauger currently leads by 54 points, a margin equivalent to one race’s full score. Hauger remains confident in his team and equipment while stressing the importance of maintaining composure and consistency after a costly crash at Laguna Seca.
We know we have the pace, we know we have the team and the car,
Hauger said.
It’s just about keeping calm, not overstressing and doing what we’ve been doing. I made a mistake at Laguna Seca, and if I hadn’t crashed, I think we could’ve been on pole and maybe even won. In the end, it’s the small things that matter.
—Dennis Hauger, INDY NXT Driver
Oval Races to Decide the Championship Outcome
The season finale features two oval races, a track type where neither Collet nor Hauger has secured a victory yet, adding uncertainty to the championship’s conclusion. Despite having no prior oval racing experience before moving to the U.S. last offseason, Hauger has adapted quickly, claiming pole positions for both oval events so far and leading a combined 64 laps. His best oval finish came recently at Iowa Speedway, where he placed second behind Myles Rowe.
We’re building step by step,
Hauger remarked.
It’s definitely a different style of racing, but we’re progressing every weekend. We were close last time.
—Dennis Hauger, INDY NXT Driver
Managing Pressure While Pursuing Victory
Although Hauger carries a healthy points advantage, he aims to stay focused on winning rather than resting on his lead. His mindset involves applying pressure only to himself while encouraging his team to continue executing clean performances.
There are two more races, both on ovals, and I think we can keep building momentum,
he said.
I only put pressure on myself. We know what we have to do: keep it clean and aim to win. If we do that, the rest will take care of itself. Honestly, I think they’re the ones under more pressure.
—Dennis Hauger, INDY NXT Driver
Collet’s Determination Amplifies Despite Odds
With Hauger’s lead standing at 54 points, Collet must win at least one of the remaining races to keep his championship hopes alive. The second-year driver with HMD Motorsports refuses to succumb to the pressure, recalling that few expected his strong midseason return after initially being considered an underdog.
I didn’t expect to be in this position, to be honest,
Collet reflected.
At midseason, we all thought the championship already had a name, and it was his. But we kept fighting. Racing is never over until it’s over.
—Caio Collet, INDY NXT Driver
How Laguna Seca Sparked the Title Battle
Collet’s resurgence began with his perfect weekend at Laguna Seca, where he won both races while Hauger experienced his worst. Hauger crashed in practice and Race 2, finishing 16th—his lowest result of the season. This turn of events shrank Hauger’s comfortable 76-point lead to 42 before Portland. Although Hauger extended his margin slightly after Portland, the 54-point gap with two races remaining indicates an intense finish ahead.
I think Laguna made the championship alive again,
Collet said.
It wasn’t that I had a perfect weekend – just that the opportunity presented itself, and we took everything we could from it. Those wins gave us a chance to fight until the end. Now we’ve got to grab that with both hands.
—Caio Collet, INDY NXT Driver
Next Steps: Pressure Mounts as Championship Nears Climax
Collet has delivered three wins in the last six races, transforming himself from a distant contender to a genuine threat against Hauger. Yet, he acknowledges the narrow margin for error and the consistent excellence required to overcome Hauger’s steady performance.
There’s definitely pressure to keep winning,
Collet admitted.
He’s done a great job all year, and I don’t see him finishing outside the top three. So, for us, it’s simple, we have to try to win and chip away at the gap.
—Caio Collet, INDY NXT Driver
As the Milwaukee Mile and Nashville Superspeedway prepare to host the final two chapters of this championship fight, both drivers face an intense test of skill, strategy, and nerve in their pursuit of INDY NXT glory.
