On September 23, Dennis Hauger was confirmed as one of the drivers for Dale Coyne Racing’s 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES campaign, with the other seat still to be filled. His initial experience with IndyCar machinery came on October 1 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, where he tested one of Coyne’s Honda-powered cars on the 2.258-mile road course in rural Ohio during an evaluation day alongside drivers such as Caio Collet, Niels Koolen, Kakunoshin Ohta, and Felipe Nasr.
First Impressions of IndyCar Machinery at Mid-Ohio
Hauger described the experience as thrilling, saying,
“It’s an amazing experience being in an INDYCAR SERIES car for the first time. Really cool to be with Dale Coyne and get started with the work. Overall, a lot of positives to take and a lot of potential. Happy about that and looking forward to the next one.”
Being 22 and from Norway, Hauger’s rapid rise is notable, having secured the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone championship in his rookie year with Andretti Global.
From INDY NXT Domination to Testing INDYCAR Power
Hauger’s INDY NXT season was marked by six victories, five additional podiums, thirteen top-10 finishes, and seven poles throughout fourteen races, ultimately clinching the championship at the Milwaukee Mile’s penultimate round. One standout win was at Mid-Ohio itself on July 6, where he led from pole position, dominating the race flag to flag. Comparing that dominant performance to his first day testing an INDYCAR vehicle, Hauger highlighted the significant differences in power and handling between the two machines, both lacking power steering but differing greatly in terms of weight and horsepower.
Adapting to New Performance Demands
The INDY NXT car Hauger drove is about 1,410 to 1,430 pounds and produces 450 horsepower, whereas an INDYCAR car tips the scales near 1,700 pounds and benefits from around 650 to 700 baseline horsepower, boosted further by a 150-horsepower hybrid system. Hauger noted,
“Downforce and how much speed you can carry into the corner, how much I can push with the downforce changes. More power is always fun with the hybrid system, and there are a few other things you have to look out for in the car. Overall, it’s pretty nice.”
Racing Background and Strategic Career Moves
Before transitioning to INDY NXT, Hauger built an impressive open-wheel racing record. After excelling in karting, he entered formula racing in 2018, finishing fourth in British F4. He claimed the Italian F4 championship in 2019 and was runner-up in the ADAC F4 series that same year. His progression continued with the FIA Formula 3 Championship title in 2021, earning four wins and nine podiums, then three seasons in Formula 2 with five wins and thirteen podiums. Hauger spent six years within the Red Bull Junior Team and was a reserve driver for Formula One in 2022 and 2023.
Despite his ties to Formula One, Hauger deliberately shifted to INDY NXT for 2025, a move some viewed skeptically as a step back. For him, though, it was a necessary reset and preparation for the INDYCAR SERIES.
Learning the Ropes in INDY NXT and Preparing for IndyCar
Reflecting on his decision, Hauger explained,
“I think it was really important for me to be in INDY NXT this past year in preparation for INDYCAR. Just learning the tracks, the style of the teams over here, the environments, the people and how they work. Mainly the tracks – the ovals — quite a lot of new things I learned that can translate into the INDYCAR SERIES.”
Understanding the unique demands of oval racing and team dynamics is central to his development.
Positive Outlook and Upcoming Tests Ahead
Hauger’s first INDYCAR test left him optimistic about his integration into the series.
“A lot of positives to take from the test,”
he said.
“We showed really good pace. The main thing for me is getting the maximum out of the new tires. Still just exploring, learning and figuring a few things out every session. Looking forward to the next one and building from that.”
Looking ahead, he added,
“Going to be pretty cool as a rookie next year. We’ve got a few test days this offseason to get prepared and sorted for that. It’s going to be fun, and hopefully we can make some good steps as a team to get up there and fight for some trophies. We’ll take it day by day.”
Implications for Hauger’s Career and NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Dennis Hauger’s move to INDYCAR marks a key turning point in his racing career, combining his European open-wheel experience with the unique challenges of North American oval and road-course racing. His testing performance with Dale Coyne Racing suggests he has the potential to adapt effectively to the powerful, hybrid-enhanced INDYCAR vehicles, and his continued preparations set the stage for his rookie season in 2026. With additional test sessions planned during the offseason, Hauger aims to refine his skills and establish himself as a competitive presence within the highly demanding NTT INDYCAR SERIES environment.
