Dennis Hauger goes fastest in his first Indy NXT oval test

[u/Fantoran]

https://usopenwheelnation.com/2025/04/01/dennis-hauger-goes-fastest-in-his-first-ever-indy-nxt-oval-test/

Dennis Hauger goes fastest in his first Indy NXT oval test. Looking forward to see him race ovals, he has no chance of winning?

[u/BlitZShrimp]

If this dude takes to ovals then I can’t really imagine a reason for anyone else to win this championship.

[u/Harringzord]

Hauger will be far too strong for this championship. He has more F2 wins than Christian Lundgaard, Marcus Armstrong and Callum Ilott (with comparable win percentages), and all of those drivers can hold their own in the main IndyCar field.

He's clearly doing this as a route into an IndyCar seat and he'll be another one off the F2 production line who will impress, if his equipment gives him the chance.

[u/Casino2514]

Sleeper pick to take the reins from Will Power? Marcus Ericsson?

[u/Mikemat5150 → u/Casino2514]

Penske historically doesn’t sign unproven rookies. I doubt that changes here.

Ericsson has a contract through 2026 so my guess is he could be brought in to backfill Herta or does the usual shopping around to whoever has an open seat.

[u/Casino2514 → u/Mikemat5150]

Andretti has the money to move Marcus if they felt they needed to. By no means am I predicting that happens, but if Ericsson struggles this year like he did last year, coupled with a dominant performance from Hauger in NXT, I wouldn’t think it’s completely out of the question for some rearranging of drivers.

That said, I agree, Hauger ~most likely~ shops around for a smaller open seat.

[u/nico9er4 → u/Casino2514]

There are several more talented options in indycar than Marcus Ericsson

[u/razzhasse → u/Casino2514]

He'll probably replace Colton when he goes to F1 next year

[u/Outrageous_Mango_968]

Hauger was really unlucky during his F2 seasons. He's a great driver and if he adapts to the ovals too he's a strong bet for the Indy NXT championship and we'll probably see him in Indycar next year.

[u/jt_33]

He will be sitting in Colton's seat next year. Almost a guarantee unless some big money gets someone else in that seat.

[u/tcldsbr]

Is it fair to expect more from Caio Collet at this point?

[u/Hitokiri2]

Along with his experience and skill it also helps he's with the defending champs as well. All that rolled together in one makes a dangerous combination.

[u/marcomonn]

Lap times?

[u/Mikemat5150 → u/marcomonn]

They are in the article

[u/marcomonn → u/Mikemat5150]

Thank you , Buddy !!! Decent times for Deegan

[u/MegaRacr → u/marcomonn]

Based on those times, she just might hang on to stay on the lead lap at the race. Considering how the other drivers mauled Chadwick last year. Deegan needs to aggressively defend her position if she doesn't move forward.

[u/marcomonn → u/MegaRacr]

I mean , compared to her pace at road courses , this is acceptable , past oval experience is helpful

[u/Mikemat5150 → u/marcomonn]

I imagine she’ll have more oval miles than the field, if not the entire field combined. Different car but it’s a good starting point.

I’ve long felt the move to NXT was more about trying to get into sports cars + Indy 500 rather than actually running full time in INDYCAR.

[u/northling85]

With no accidents, Hauger will most definitely be in the top 5, or better, at the ovals and qualify even higher. If he masters the tactics of the ovals, he might even win the oval races.

I was pretty sure he would be better than Collet on race circuit, and therefore a title contender, but surprised he is this fast on ovals already.

[u/John_Dees_Nuts]

We have a real small sample size at this point, but it is not clear to me who else is going to challenge Hauger. I could maybe see Lochie Hughes. I don't especially rate Collett, although I know others do. So, who else?

I will be surprised if he does not run away with the championship.

[u/AlarmedAd377]

Hauger is the definition of picking game at Easy/Beginner difficulty