Bob Pockrass
FOX Motorsports Insider
Dennis Hauger’s time racing Indy NXT didn’t final lengthy. And there’s good motive.
Profitable six of the 14 races and the championship in his rookie season, the 22-year-old Norwegian will transfer to the highest INDYCAR collection, because the Andretti World driver will race for Dale Coyne Racing.
“I’m as prepared as I might be,” Hauger stated final week. “I really feel like I’ve confirmed myself worthy this 12 months, gone to all the brand new tracks and made it occur loads of the time.”
With Andretti having three seasoned drivers in Kyle Kirkwood, Marcus Ericsson and the incoming Will Energy, there was no room in its 2026 steady for Hauger, whose Method 2 expertise (5 wins and 13 podiums in three years) was on full show all through the 2025 Indy NXT season.
Dennis Hauger had a profitable run in each F2 and Indy NXT earlier than asserting his transfer to INDYCAR.
Andretti World proprietor Dan Towriss had stated that he needed Hauger to run on the high degree in 2026, and he has now discovered him that spot with Dale Coyne Racing, and the 2 groups could have a technical alliance. The take care of Coyne is sensible as a result of each organizations run Honda engines and DCR didn’t have both of its 2025 drivers — Rinus VeeKay and Jacob Abel — signed for subsequent season.
“It is a nice alternative for us right here at DCR to convey on a gifted driver and acquire a robust technical accomplice in Andretti World,” Dale Coyne stated in a press release.
“Because of Dan and his perception in our sport and his dedication to elevating Dennis to the highest of the ladder.”
Hauger, talking final week earlier than the Coyne deal was introduced, stated the transition from Method 2 to Indy NXT did not come simple. Particularly when it got here to solely turning left.
Dennis Hauger throughout qualifying at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Salinas, CA.
“For certain, the ovals had been an enormous problem,” Hauger stated. “However I feel simply not likely realizing what to anticipate coming over right here for me personally, and coming into the Andretti crew — a brand new crew, new paddock.
“We simply labored. The IMS [road course] check was actually good from the beginning, and we simply stored on working from there. And I feel that is been a key level. … We have been fast from the beginning.”
In three of the 4 ovals, Hauger completed on the rostrum, displaying that he may adapt to them shortly.
“I loved them lots,” Hauger stated. “The primary race was not the most effective. Bought fifth, which was not unhealthy however clearly needed extra. I simply realized there was lots for me to be taught. It is not really easy to be taught as a lot because the street programs or the road programs as a result of then you are able to do simulator stuff.
“However whenever you’re doing ovals, you do not actually get to be taught as a lot on the sim. You need to actually go on the market and expertise it.”
Having clinched the championship with one race remaining, Hauger stated he bought the liberty to experiment on the Nashville oval in the course of the finale and be taught extra about how the automobile reacts in addition to the way it handles marbles of tire rubber that are inclined to accumulate close to the higher grove on an oval throughout an occasion.
“I bought to strive a couple of issues, not worrying concerning the championship. … I actually loved it,” he stated. “It may be tremendous scary. It may be tremendous enjoyable.”
General, Hauger is happy together with his transfer to the USA for racing after a Method 1 alternative didn’t materialize regardless of having some success in F2.
“Indy NXT is a good championship to be taught and expertise as a lot as potential for the highest step for us guys, which is INDYCAR,” Hauger stated. “You be taught the tracks. And I feel the driving type is pretty comparable from what I’ve heard.
“You actually must drive it exhausting within the Indy NXT automobile and deal with it with aggression typically, and I feel that is a extremely good coaching for any driver.”
Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports activities. He has spent many years overlaying motorsports, together with over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene journal and The (Daytona Seaside) Information-Journal. Comply with him on Twitter @bobpockrass.
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