Just moments before the start of Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, NTT IndyCar Series rookie Dennis Hauger and his Dale Coyne Racing team received an unexpected boost of motivation from Jameis Winston, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and seasoned NFL player. This chance encounter came while FOX’s pit reporter Jack Harvey conducted a grid walk, injecting encouragement into Hauger’s mindset as he prepared for his first IndyCar race.
Words of Encouragement from a Pro Athlete to a Rising Racer
Winston’s pep talk highlighted the effort and commitment Hauger and his team had invested, underlining the intentional steps that led him to this moment.
“You were built for this moment. Look at your team. Everybody that’s helped you get to this point is intentional. It’s a reason that you’re here right now,”
Winston said.
“All right, so I don’t care if this is your first race. I don’t care if you’re a rookie. You have put in the work. Your dedication is going to allow you to be your very best today. You better believe that.”
Hauger appreciated the support, responding, “That’s good words. Thanks, man,” before Winston added,
“Now we got to go and do it.”
Strong Debut for Hauger at St. Petersburg
The 20-year-old Norwegian, who clinched the Indy NXT championship last season and started the race from third on the grid, delivered a solid performance. Hauger crossed the finish line in tenth place during his first-ever IndyCar outing, driving the No. 19 Ault Blockchain Honda. His debut result showed promise for a driver stepping up into the highest level of American open-wheel racing.
Further Advice on Execution and Team Unity
Winston continued to emphasize the importance of decision-making and teamwork, stating,
“It’s about execution. Oh, yeah. Your trusting decisions are going to get you where you need to be. All right. You wake up looking like your parents, but you die looking like you’re trusting decisions. So make a decision to go out there and execute today. All right, man. Good luck. Do your thing. Do your thing.”
He also addressed the entire Dale Coyne Racing crew, urging them to recognize the hard work behind the rookie’s rise and to unite behind their shared goal of success.
In his motivational talk, Winston said,
“Hey guys, tell you one thing. People saying about this rookie. Rookies—no one has respect for rookies, but think about the work you put in. Think about your desire. What would you love? You would love to come home with this victory. All right. They call him the Norwegian Nightmare. [People say] that the people from Norway only winning in the Olympics.”
He encouraged the team further:
“But we’re out here in sunny St. Pete, Florida. We’re out here doing something that you love. You love the precision. You love the detail. You love leaning on every man and woman that are part of your crew. So align with them. Set your vision and go out there and be precise and execute to the best of your ability.”
Family Passion Fuels Racing Spirit
Alongside Winston was his five-year-old son, Taurus, who shares his father’s fascination with racing. Proud Dad described Taurus as someone who “lives and breathes” the sport, often drawing pictures of race cars. This connection adds a personal dimension to Winston’s presence at the event, underscoring a family bond shaped by motorsports.
