Indy Doubleheader Gives Rivals Two Chances To Catch Dennis Hauger

Fox Sports

08-05-2025

INDYCAR
The 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone season continues this weekend with a doubleheader at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
The first race is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET Friday, followed by the second race at 1 p.m. ET Saturday. Both events will be broadcast live on FS1 and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
SEE: Event Details
Rookie phenom Dennis Hauger is undefeated so far in 2025, showcasing raw speed and composure. He led every lap in the March 2 season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg and May 4 at Barber Motorsports Park. The IMS road course is also the spot he made his maiden INDY NXT test.
Can Hauger continue his dominance this weekend?
Can Anyone Sweep Weekend?
Achieving a weekend sweep in the INDY NXT doubleheader at IMS is a rare feat.
The only driver to need the broom since the doubleheader format was introduced in 2014 is Colton Herta, who achieved the feat in 2018. Last year, Jacob Abel secured the pole position for both races, with Abel winning Race 1 and Louis Foster Race 2.
First-Time Winner?
The IMS road course has been a launching pad for breakthrough victories, with the first race of the INDY NXT by Firestone May doubleheader producing a first-time winner in three of the last six tries.
Andretti Global's Robert Megennis started the trend in 2019, followed by Danial Frost of HMD Motorsports in 2022 and Juncos Hollinger Racing's Matteo Nannini in 2023.
Given recent history, a first-time winner emerging in Friday's 35-lap race is a very real possibility. The field of 20 drivers has multiple candidates who can make it happen, with odds favoring a new name stepping up.
Among the 20 drivers competing this weekend, only Hauger and Caio Collet have reached victory lane in an INDY NXT by Firestone race.
Can Hauger, Andretti Global Keep Perfect Weekend Rolling?
Based on recent performance and momentum, Andretti Global has the potential to sweep the weekend – but it's not a guarantee, as competition from others remains formidable.
Hauger may have stiff competition from rookie teammate Lochie Hughes, who trails his teammate by 32 points in the standings. The Australian is consistent and a proven podium finisher, coming home runner-up in St. Petersburg and third at Barber. Hughes also boasts past success at IMS across multiple junior series. He finished second, second and first, respectively, during his 2023 USF 2000 rookie season. Last year, he finished third, second, and third, respectively, during his USF Pro 2000 championship-winning season.
Veteran James Roe and sophomore driver Salvador de Alba add depth to the Andretti stable, with Roe finishing fourth in last year's second race.
In addition, the team has swept the podium before, in 2022, and consistently places multiple drivers in the top three on the IMS road course.
Andretti Global also has 11 wins in the last 13 INDY NXT by Firestone starts, dating back to Race 2 of last year's Indianapolis race weekend. Foster dominated the second half of last season en route to winning the title for Andretti Global.
Rowe's Turn?
Variability in track conditions, weather and race incidents can mix up the results across two days of racing, opening the door for someone new to secure victory.
Myles Rowe could be a serious contender to break up a potential Andretti Global sweep this weekend. With 10 career starts on the IMS road course across various development series, Rowe is aware of the nuances of the 14-turn layout better than most in the field.
Last year with HMD Motorsports, Rowe had the third-best average finish during this weekend, finishing fifth and seventh, respectively.
The switch to the No. 99 ABEL Motorsports with Force Indy entry this season seems to be paying off. Rowe topped the Chris Griffis Open Test here last October and is the only non-Andretti driver to score top-five finishes in both races this season – finishing fourth in both St. Petersburg and Barber. That shows pace and consistency and is a good sign he's comfortable and fast.
With Hauger setting the early pace, Rowe knows a strong weekend could cement him as a top challenger. He may not yet have the outright race-winning speed of Hauger, but his blend of experience, form and adaptability makes him a podium and possibly victory threat in either race – or both.
Youth History Being Made
HMD Motorsports rookie drives Nikita Johnson and Evagoras Papasavvas represent a compelling new youth wave in INDY NXT by Firestone, and both could have major breakout moments this weekend.
At just 16, Johnson becomes the youngest-ever driver to compete in INDY NXT at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Johnson was runner-up in both USF2000 (2023) and USF Pro 2000 (2024) championships. He made his INDY NXT debut at his home race on the streets of St. Petersburg, finishing 11th.
Papasavvas, 17, is a legitimate threat. He had a strong debut last weekend, qualifying third and finishing second. Confidence will be sky-high heading into IMS, and he is a dark horse for a podium or even a win.
The teenager flashed excellent qualifying speed and racecraft, and HMD's setup and support give him the tools to contend.
Track Specs: 2.439-mile, 14-turn natural road course
Qualifying Record: Ed Jones, 1:14.6743, 117.583 mph, May 13, 2016
Push To Pass Parameters: 150 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation.
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