RACE REPORT: Indianapolis Grand Prix Race 2
Race Notes
- The Andretti INDY NXT team wrapped up the weekend in grand fashion with back-to-back victories as Dennis Hauger scored his third INDY NXT by Firestone win in the second race of the weekend this afternoon. Yesterday’s winner and today’s pole sitter, Lochie Hughes, took the checkered right behind Hauger for his fourth consecutive podium of the season in as many races. Close behind, No. 27 Grupo Indi driver, Salvador de Alba, rounded out the top five for Andretti INDY NXT with a P4 finish.
- The INDY NXT Driver’s Championship standings remained close after this weekend’s doubleheader, with only 15 points separating Hauger and Hughes in first and second.
- Not only does today’s race result extend the Andretti INDY NXT team’s win streak to six consecutive races, but the team’s drivers have also led every single race lap since the INDY NXT race at The Milwaukee Mile in 2024.
- The INDY NXT by Firestone Series will take a break from racing until the Detroit Grand Prix on June 1, available for viewing on FS1.
Race Results
Lochie Hughes
No. 26 McGinley Clinic /
USF Championship Dallara
P2
| Started | P1 |
| Standings | P2 (172 points) |
- Coming off of his first INDY NXT career pole and race win yesterday, Lochie Hughes led the field to green once again this afternoon.
- Despite his strong start in the race and leading the opening five laps, the restart on Lap 5 gave teammate Dennis Hauger, who took the start in P2, the opportunity to pass Hughes in Lap 6’s restart in Turn 1.
- The Australian secured his fourth consecutive INDY NXT career podium finish this afternoon in as many races.
“A little annoying with that one. We got a good start in the beginning and felt quite good, but then got a bit stuffed with the safety car coming out. On the restart coming into Turn 1, I was a bit of a sitting duck there with the big tow going into the first turn. I tried my best to hold the lead, but Dennis was able to get through. After that, I was just putting the pressure on him for the rest of the race until the tires burned off from following too closely.”
Salvador de Alba
No. 27 Grupo Indi Dallara
P4
| Started | P6 |
| Standings | P5 (111 points) |
- Although he started today’s race farther back in the top 10 than yesterday, Salvador de Alba started the race off strong and moved into the top five soon after the green flag waved.
- Following the restart on Lap 5, de Alba strategically made a pass for P4, where he remained for the remainder of the race and eventually took the checkered.
- This result marks de Alba’s eighth career INDY NXT top-five finish.
“I’m honestly happy with the result today – P4 on the Indy Road Course. It was a good weekend overall, with a fourth and fifth, and good points for the Championship. We learned a lot, and I’m very thankful for the team pushing me to the limit and learning more every session. We’ll have a bit of a break now to work through some things, and then we’ll be back ready to go in Detroit.”
Dennis Hauger
No. 28 Rental Group Dallara
P1
| Started | P2 |
| Standings | P1 (187 points) |
- INDY NXT rookie Dennis Hauger fared better in this afternoon’s Indianapolis Grand Prix compared to yesterday’s result as the Norwegian secured his third INDY NXT career win in the final race of the doubleheader weekend.
- Hauger was able to accomplish today’s win with a pass on race leader and teammate Lochie Hughes in Turn 1 following the sole restart of the race. Hauger then continued to lead the remaining 30 laps of the race.
- Hauger’s winning result today has made him the first driver to win three of the first four INDY NXT by Firestone races of the season since current NTT INDYCAR SERIES star Pato O’Ward achieved the feat in 2018.
“Yesterday was tough. We just didn’t have the balance going into the race, but today we really nailed it. It was a warm day, which worked nicely with the rear tires, and we managed it well. A big thanks to Andretti – it was a good way to bounce back after yesterday. It’s been a really great start to the season for us, and to win at a place like this is just awesome.”
James Roe
No. 29 Topcon Dallara
P11
| Started | P7 |
| Standings | P16 (60 points) |
- Following the unfortunate incident in yesterday’s race that forced him to retire early, Roe was looking for redemption in Race 2 this afternoon.
- Although the Irish driver was set back a couple of spots soon after the green flag waved, he maintained position inside the top 10 for the majority of the race.
- With 14 laps remaining, Roe unfortunately made slight contact with a competitor in Turn 1, bumping him just outside of the top 10, where he eventually took the checkered.
“Not the easiest day here at IMS, but we’re happy to get some points there. We just lacked a little bit of speed, so now we need to go analyze it and be better in Detroit.”
Seb Murray
No. 2 Dream Racing Dubai Dallara
P12
| Started | P15 |
| Standings | P14 (63 points) |
- Following a rocky start to the race that shuffled rookie Seb Murray to the back of the field, the Scottish driver was forced to fight his way up for some points in today’s race.
- Luckily, the rest of Murray’s race allowed him to be more aggressive and move up six positions from where he was set back, securing him his career best INDY NXT finish this afternoon just behind teammate Roe.
“It was a pretty messy race. We had much better pace today than we did yesterday, but we didn’t have a great start, and then we ended up having to avoid a collision, putting me back to pretty much last. We had the pace, and we saved our tires from push-to-pass for the end, which was good. We ended up finishing P12, so a big thanks to the team and to Prosperity, Lottery.com, Sports.com and Dream Racing Dubai of course. The Andretti Cape crew has been amazing this week, so a big thanks to them. Hopefully, we can get a strong result in Detroit in a few weeks.”
Ricardo Escotto
No. 3 RedHot Dallara
P16
| Started | P16 |
| Standings | P11 (72 points) |
- Like teammate Murray, Ricardo Escotto was also shuffled back in the field after a tough start to the race. Although he was able to make up a few positions, all within the first 10 laps.
- Unfortunately, Escotto went off the track in Lap 7, running through the grass before returning to join the field. Although he didn’t need to pit for repairs and finished on the lead lap, the Mexican driver wasn’t able to make up any additional ground and finished the race where he started.
“It was a disappointing finish to the weekend here in Indy. We need to check what happened and then look forward to Detroit, a track that I love. We’ll reset and keep going.”
Don Lambert
Team Manager
“It was another outstanding day for Andretti INDY NXT. Dennis just consistently does a great job, and with Lochie, it’s just going to be a great battle all season between those two. Everyone is going to be watching those two and the rest of the field, given how competitive everyone is right now. It was a great way to end this doubleheader weekend and now we’ll shift our focus to Detroit.”
