Dennis Hauger has widened his lead in the INDY NXT by Firestone points standings to 76 over Andretti Global teammate Lochie Hughes following a second-place finish at Iowa Speedway on July 12. Hauger’s consistent performances have positioned him strongly as the series approaches the critical doubleheader at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca this weekend.
Hughes, who began the Iowa race in second place, dropped to 16th after being penalized for blocking race winner Myles Rowe early in the event. The rookie served a drive-through penalty on Lap 12 and fell a lap behind. Meanwhile, Caio Collet remains third in the championship, 84 points behind Hauger, with Myles Rowe and Salvador de Alba completing the top five as they all head into the two-race weekend at Laguna Seca.
Laguna Seca Doubleheader Offers a Chance to Build Momentum
This weekend, the INDY NXT series will hold two 35-lap races at Laguna Seca, with Saturday’s event airing at 4:30 p.m. ET on FS2 and Sunday’s at 1 p.m. ET on FS1. Both races will also stream on the FOX Sports app and be covered by the INDYCAR Radio Network. For Hauger, this doubleheader represents a golden opportunity to increase his points buffer and strengthen his championship bid.
Reigning series champion Louis Foster swept both Laguna Seca races last year, joining a select group of drivers including Spencer Pigot, Rinus VeeKay, and Kyle Kirkwood who have won both races during a Laguna Seca weekend. Hauger, who has already claimed victories on natural road courses at Barber Motorsports Park, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, has displayed the kind of dominance needed to attempt a similar sweep.
Championship Context and Remaining Schedule
Since Laguna Seca’s return to the schedule in 2019, champions have often secured at least one win during the weekend, underscoring the venue’s importance within the championship. After this weekend’s doubleheader, four races remain on the calendar at Portland International Raceway (Aug. 10), The Milwaukee Mile (Aug. 24), and Nashville Superspeedway (Aug. 31). Hauger’s ability to extend his points lead at Laguna Seca could put the title within his reach well before the finale.
Hughes Looks to Recover Strongly After Iowa Setback
Despite his difficulties at Iowa, Lochie Hughes has maintained steady performances on road circuits all season. He has collected podium finishes at Barber, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Road America, and Mid-Ohio, highlighting his aptitude and potential as a rookie. However, his finish outside the top five at Iowa was his first in nine starts, leaving him trailing Hauger by more than a full race’s worth of points.
With 54 points available per race and a total of 108 points on offer during the Laguna Seca weekend, Hughes has ample opportunity to regain ground and challenge for top positions. Given Andretti Global’s dominance with seven wins in the last eight INDY NXT races at Laguna Seca, Hughes remains a strong contender to bounce back.
Caio Collet Seeks to Break Through to Victory
Caio Collet, driving for HMD Motorsports, enters Laguna Seca in excellent form and threatens to disrupt Hauger’s charge. Collet finished second to Louis Foster in both races last year at this track. He has appeared regularly on the podium this season, with six top-three finishes in nine starts and a streak of seven consecutive top-five results. Collet’s consistent presence near the front makes him a candidate to claim victory this weekend.
Chip Ganassi Racing Aims for First INDY NXT Win at Laguna Seca
At Iowa, Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) achieved a solid double top-10 finish with Niels Koolen placing fifth and Bryce Aron ninth, marking the team’s second such result this season. Although CGR holds an impressive record in major motorsport events including multiple Indy 500 wins, the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400, and 24 Hours of Le Mans, an INDY NXT victory remains elusive.
CGR has enjoyed success on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES level at Laguna Seca, featuring five wins, including a recent streak of three consecutive victories. A breakthrough win in the INDY NXT series at this venue could be a key milestone as the team continues nurturing young talent.
Laguna Seca’s Historic Role as a Launchpad to IndyCar
Since 1989, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has hosted 27 INDY NXT races, with 21 different winners. Of those, 20 drivers advanced to compete in the premier NTT INDYCAR SERIES, emphasizing the track’s reputation as a proving ground for future stars. This weekend’s doubleheader will test which competitors can seize the moment and strengthen their cases for higher-level opportunities.
The 2.238-mile, 11-turn road course demands skill and strategy, with the qualifying record held by Christian Rasmussen at 1:11.7225 set last September. Active push-to-pass parameters allow for 150 seconds of boost in total, with a maximum of 15 seconds per use, adding tactical complexity to the races.
What to Expect as the Championship Enters Its Final Stages
With just four races remaining after Laguna Seca, the outcomes of this weekend’s doubleheader could shape the championship landscape significantly. Dennis Hauger’s momentum and ability to capitalize on his strong performances on road courses may allow him to place the title increasingly out of reach for his rivals. Meanwhile, drivers like Lochie Hughes and Caio Collet will look to reduce that margin and keep championship hopes alive.
The doubleheader promises an intense weekend of competition at a historic venue, where victories carry not only points but also prestige and momentum toward the coveted NTT INDYCAR SERIES future.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Dennis Hauger?
A. Hauger will be in Formula 2 for a third year in 2024, staying with MP Motorsport. He teams up with Williams Driver Academy’s Franco Colapinto. Before the Qatar race, Hauger decided to exit Formula 2 to prepare for Indy NXT in 2025. Richard Verschoor took his place.
