Dennis Hauger engineered a championship-type drive in the last INDY NXT by Firestone race, Aug. 10 at Portland International Raceway. He rebounded from a trying weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, where he lost nearly 30 points, to land in victory lane for the sixth-time of the season.
Hauger leads Caio Collet (photo, above) by 54 points with two events remaining, starting with Sunday’s race at Milwaukee Mile.
SEE: Event Details
Can Collet strike another blow or will Hauger clinch the championship this weekend? If Hauger beats Collet to the finish line, the championship is his. That would make him the first rookie to win the title since Kyle Kirkwood in 2021.
Here are other storylines ahead of Sunday’s 90-lap race airing at 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, Aug. 24 on FS1, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
Hauger, Collet Searching for First Oval Victory
With two races remaining and both on ovals, it’s likely going to take Hauger (photo, above) and/or Collet securing their first oval victory to claim the title.
Which is it?
Neither had prior oval experience before arriving in INDY NXT by Firestone.
In Collet’s first two oval starts last season, he finished 18th and 14th, respectively, at Iowa Speedway and World Wide Technology Raceway. He improved to close the year with an eighth-place finish in Milwaukee and third at Nashville Superspeedway.
This season, Collet finished third at WWTR and fourth in Iowa. He led 58 of 75 laps at WWTR.
Hauger started on pole for both oval races and led 61 of 75 laps at Iowa Speedway. He finished those races fifth and second.
Between them, they’ve combined to lead 122 of 150 oval laps but have no wins to show for it.
“We’re building step by step,” Hauger said. “It’s definitely a different style of racing, but we’re progressing every weekend. We were close last time.”
If Hauger wins at Milwaukee or Nashville, the championship is his. Collet likely needs to win both.
Rowe Primed for Second Win
Myles Rowe (photo, above) secured his maiden INDY NXT by Firestone victory on July 13 at Iowa Speedway. He finished second in the other circle-track start June 15 at World Wide Technology Raceway. Rowe also was fastest by over 1 mph in the Open Test on June 24 at Milwaukee Mile.
Add all that, and Rowe is a serious contender for his second victory this season at Milwaukee.
“It always feels great leaving the track on Sunday with a trophy,” Rowe said. “We’ve got two more ovals to close out the season, so we are going to look to continue our momentum and close out the season strong.”
Rowe has nine top-five finishes this season, including a third-place result in the last race, at Portland.
Hughes Going for Wins
Lochie Hughes’ (photo, above) championship hopes unraveled over the last four races, in which he finished 16th, sixth, 15th and 10th, respectively. That marked a sharp contrast to his earlier form, which included seven podiums in eight races, with a worst result of fifth on the streets of Detroit. He won twice during that run, including June 15 on the oval at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Now, Hughes trails rookie teammate Hauger by 122 points with only 108 points available across the final two races.
“I’d love to just win the last few races,” Hughes said. “That’s really all I care about right now. I don’t really care where we end up in the championship. I just want to win these last three races.”
Koolen Among Best on Ovals This Season
Also watch Chip Ganassi Racing driver Niels Koolen (photo, above). He had no oval experience either before joining INDY NXT by Firestone in 2024, but the Dutch driver was 10th at WWTR and fifth in Iowa, one of six drivers with a top-10 finish in both oval events, joining Hauger, Collet, Rowe, Salvador de Alba and Callum Hedge.
Can he keep the streak going this weekend?
Koolen didn’t race at Milwaukee Mile or Nashville Superspeedway last season.
Keep An Eye On …
For starters, the whole race.
Hughes led 14 laps in his WWTR victory. Rowe led the final 14 laps of his Iowa Speedway triumph. With the potential for someone to jump out to an early-race advantage, don’t be resigned to the fact that driver will reach victory lane.
The two oval races this season prove the race is far from over early and won’t be decided until the checkered flag falls.
Qualifying Record (One Lap): Mark Hotchkis, 23.692 seconds (151.952 mph), June 2, 1996
Qualifying Record (Two Laps): Louis Foster, 48.3396 seconds (151.180 mph), Aug. 31, 2024