NXT Gen Notebook: Hauger goes back-to-back & a dream debut

Written by Archie O’Reilly, edited by Dan Jones

Credit: James Black

Dennis Hauger continued the formidable start to his Indy NXT career at Barber Motorsports Park as he won in Alabama to become the first rookie to win their first two races in the series since Ed Jones in 2015.

The former Formula 3 champion and Formula 2 race winner, who made the switch stateside with Andretti Global this off-season, led both practice sessions at Barber before securing pole position as he paced his qualifying group by over 0.6 seconds.

Hauger was then just as ruthlessly dominant in the race. As Indy NXT returned for its second round of the season after a two-month hiatus, as he did in the St. Petersburg season opener on debut, the Norwegian driver led from start to finish and controlled proceedings.

One of the pre-season title favourites following his third-place finish in points last season, HMD Motorsports’ Caio Collet lined up alongside Hauger on the front row. But after failing to make inroads early on, the Brazilian driver tumbled down the order due to a limp throttle. He continued in 14th place but was ultimately forced to retire from the race on Lap 27.

After two races, Collet sits sixth in points but already 61 points adrift of Hauger, who has achieved maximum 54-point results in his first two weekends in the championship.

It was debutant Evagoras Papasavvas who inherited second place from Collet having impressively qualified third for his first-ever Indy NXT race. Skipping USF Pro 2000, last year’s USF2000 fourth-place finisher is running a part-schedule in Indy NXT - also set to include the events at World Wide Technology Raceway, Road America and Mid-Ohio.

The 17-year-old managed to withstand late pressure from Andretti’s Lochie Hughes, Abel Motorsports’ Myles Rowe and HMD’s Josh Pierson in the top five to hold on to an impressive P2 finish at his first attempt. Reigning USF Pro 2000 champion Hughes made it back-to-back podiums to kick off his rookie season in Indy NXT after finishing second in St. Pete.

Credit: Joe Skibinski

Following the three restarts he had to marshall in St. Pete, there were two further cautions that threatened to jeopardise Hauger’s dominance at Barber. 

Abel’s Callum Hedge found the gravel in Turn 8 on the opening lap, causing the Kiwi to fall off the lead lap and confining him to an 18th-place finish. It has been a tricky start to the season for last year’s fourth-place championship finisher, who sits 12th in the standings having finished eighth in St. Pete.

A second yellow was brandished on Lap 11 due to debris after contact between Andretti’s Salvador de Alba and Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR)’s Bryce Aron. The latter was debuting for CGR - following budgetary issues for Jonathan Browne - after starting his sophomore season with HMD, where he had moved from Andretti after his rookie campaign in 2024.

Hauger ultimately pulled the plug on the competition as the race went green from Lap 13 to the finish, extending his advantage to 11 seconds while largely conserving his push-to-pass and managing his pace. 

Other standout displays came from rookie pair Liam Sceats and Max Taylor for HMD in sixth and seventh respectively. Making his debut in the series, 17-year-old Taylor progressed 10 positions in the race having found the gravel in qualifying.

In eighth, Jack William Miller made up 12 places having started at the rear of the field for Abel with Miller Vinatieri Motorsports. The young American was confined to last place on the starting grid having been penalised for post-race conduct towards officials in St. Pete, also earning him a $5,000 fine and seeing him placed on probation for the remainder of 2025.

Alongside teammate Collet, HMD’s Nolan Allaer was the only other driver not to finish having not taken the start of the race due to a fuel injector issue. He only completed seven laps.

Credit: James Black

Indy NXT “natural” for Hauger 

Hauger could have been forgiven for taking some time getting up to speed in Indy NXT, driving a new car and visiting unfamiliar tracks. But there has been no lengthy adaptation period required, as much as there have been differences to get used to.

“It feels natural with the Indy NXT car - clicks well so far,” he said. “Feeling pretty good. It’s just a few different things that’s different here that I’m still getting properly into my mindset. But honestly it’s felt pretty natural since day one. 

“Through the test days in the off-season, I really built up confidence with the car. That showed when we went there in the off-season for the test day… I actually crashed and I got half-a-day - it was probably not my best test. Since then, we’re really growing, built confidence in the car, feeling super comfortable now. We showed that this weekend. 

“Andretti has helped me to get up to speed quickly, especially with my engineer, to just get comfortable in it. That’s definitely been a key point. Looking forward to the rest.”

Hauger credited his start to the race, from which point on he was managing his rear tyres and not over-pushing or “doing anything crazy” while out front. He did up the ante late on, when he set the fastest lap of the race. And through the two earlier restarts, he was unflappable.

“It was quite okay, to be honest,” he said. “We got a good restart on both - got a gap out of Turn 2. I was not really under pressure on any of the restarts. It was nice.”

On the FOX broadcast, Hauger has earned the nickname ‘Norwegian Nightmare’ given his ruthless start to the season. He is already 32 points ahead of teammate Hughes behind him in the championship.

“I heard it,” he said. “I guess it’s a compliment for giving everyone else a hard time. That means we’re doing something right.”

Credit: James Black

Expectations exceeded for Papasavvas

Heading into 2025, the plan for Papasavvas was to make the next logical step on the Road to Indy ladder. Indy NXT was not initially on the agenda. 

“The plan was to do USF Pro 2000,” he said. “Then thinking about it, considering everything when it comes to sponsors, money, team deals and all that, we found it was better to move up into Indy NXT. But not for a full season… just a partial season to do a few events here and there, to gain experience, hopefully do a full season next year.”

A successful first test day at Mid-Ohio altered Papasavvas’ plans, the momentum from which carried into a short-notice call-up to make his debut at Barber.

“That one test day at Mid-Ohio is really what sparked it all,” he said. “I have a lot of experience at that track in other series. It was a strong test. The team wanted me to do this race with the goal in mind to get more points. I’d say pretty confident that we did do that. 

“With the test day, all the laps I’ve had here, I feel like so far I am adjusting pretty well. I feel pretty comfortable in the car. I really do love driving this car. I like the higher downforce than what I’m used to. So far I feel pretty confident and I’m loving every second of it.”

Papasavvas came into the weekend targeting a top-five finish, even after starting third. A podium marks a dream beginning for the teenager.

“I exceeded my expectations,” he said. “A top-five finish would be nice considering my starting position. To get this is something I couldn’t even imagine. It’s really great to get this podium on debut. It builds a bunch of confidence in me to keep getting results like this in the future.”

There was pressure from Hughes late on but, for nigh on a 10-lap period, Papasavvas defended exceptionally to maintain second.

“Those were the longest laps of my life,” he said. “I was just really holding on. It’s a big step up into the Indy NXT car. I was trying my best to stay cool. Made a few mistakes here and there but I was able to make up for it in the next few corners and hold on.”

Credit: James Black

Hughes “taking it one step at a time”

Hughes knew he had the pace advantage on Papasavvas in the closing stages but found himself unable to pass. Still, valuable lessons were learned and more important points logged to remain safely second in points.

“I was doing everything I could,” the Australian driver said. “Unfortunately around this place the race is kind of won after qualifying. It’s a pretty hard place to pass, especially in these cars, especially when we don’t have pit stops and different strategies. 

“Did everything I could. I’m still learning this car. I’ve never actually followed someone so closely in a race in this car yet. I learned a few things with the aero wash. Second race of the season still so I didn’t really want to go shunting the car yet. Just take the points.

“Had to be smart with how aggressive I was being. That’s just part of racing.”

Hughes ultimately came under pressure himself from Rowe so knew he could not take any risks for fear of losing his podium spot. Still, successive podiums have marked a very positive start to his Indy NXT career.

“I’m still very fresh to these bigger cars,” he said. “Just taking it one race at a time. Once I get to tracks that I’ve actually raced before, it will be a bit better. Taking it one step at a time.”