Unstoppable Hauger Dominates Indy NXT with Andretti Global Debut
In a jaw-dropping display of skill, Dennis Hauger from Andretti Global showed his prowess once again in the Indy NXT by Firestone series. The Norwegian rookie set the track on fire during practice for the Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park, leaving his competitors in the dust.
Hauger, driving the No. 28 Rental Group car, blazed through the session with a lightning-fast lap time of 1 minute, 12.1621 seconds, solidifying his spot at the top of the leaderboard. This phenomenal performance comes hot on the heels of his pole win and flawless victory at the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Speaking about his impressive run, Hauger humbly stated, “It was a good run. As a team, we seem strong today. I think we still have some things to work on and feel like there was still some time in there for me. But a good start, and it’s good to see we sort of left off where we ended in St. Pete.”
Not far behind was Caio Collet from HMD Motorsports, claiming the second spot with a commendable time of 1:12.4694. Meanwhile, the veteran Josh Pierson, also from HMD Motorsports, secured third place with a time of 1:12.7627.
Rookie Lochie Hughes, driving the No. 26 McGinley Clinic/USF Pro Championship car, impressed with a fourth-place finish at 1:12.7689. Hughes, who came in second to his Andretti Global teammate Hauger at St. Petersburg, is proving to be a rising star in the series.
Andretti Global showcased their dominance with all four of their drivers making it into the top six on the time sheets. Salvador de Alba and James Roe joined their teammates at the top, finishing in the top five and six, respectively.
The practice session did see a brief halt due to an incident involving rookie Evagoras Papasavvas from HMD Motorsports, who nosed into the tire barrier. Fortunately, Papasavvas emerged unscathed from the incident, ready to bounce back stronger.
As the competition heats up in the Indy NXT series, Hauger’s remarkable performance sends a clear message to his rivals – he is a force to be reckoned with. Stay tuned for more adrenaline-pumping action as these drivers battle it out on the track for glory and victory.