RACE REPORT: Grand Prix at Road America
Race Notes
- Andretti INDY NXT went road course racing this morning at Road America, following Dennis Hauger’s outstanding qualifying performance yesterday that saw him land his fifth pole position of the season.
- After an intense battle for podium spots today at the front of the field, Dennis Hauger and Lochie Hughes landed themselves in second and third place, respectively. This extends Andretti’s podium streak to 27 consecutive races, stretching back to the INDY NXT by Firestone Music City Grand Prix in 2023.
- Due to an INDY NXT Series-wide issue, the entire field of today’s Grand Prix at Road America did not have the push-to-pass feature active or available to drivers to utilize during the race.
- Today’s 20-lap event saw no caution periods, making for an all-green flag race with no interruptions.
- The INDY NXT by Firestone Series will take a weekend off from racing before they head to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course to take on the 35-lap road course race on Sunday, July 6 at 10:30 AM ET.
Race Results
Lochie Hughes
No. 26 McGinley Clinic /
USF Championship Dallara
P3
| Started | P4 |
| Standings | P2 (289 points) |
- Following yesterday’s qualifying session that started Lochie Hughes in the top five for today’s race, the Australian driver was ready to make strategic moves as the green flag waved, keeping a close gap between himself and P3.
- Hughes remained aggressive the entire race, making multiple attempts to pass, until finally, in a fierce battle on the final lap of the race, the No. 26 driver made an impressive pass for third that locked in his sixth podium finish of the 2025 season and his INDY NXT career.
“It was a bit frustrating. I got him (Josh Pierson) on the first lap and probably should have held onto third on the first lap, but I just got a bit greedy into Turn 6. I got caught on the exit curve there, so I lost the spot. It was tough after that. We didn’t have push-to-pass so it was just about trying to get a good run. I found something through Turn 3 and it helped me stay close to him (Pierson) and was able to it on the last lap, which we needed. Decent day after struggling a bit with the balance this weekend.”
Salvador de Alba
No. 27 Grupo Indi Dallara
P8
| Started | P8 |
| Standings | P6 (191 points) |
- Starting today’s Grand Prix at Road America six positions higher than he did last year at his debut on this track, Salvador de Alba was in a prime position to secure improved results at the Wisconsin road course, after 2024’s race forced him to retire early due to mechanical issues.
- De Alba started the race strong, making passes to run as high as P6. Although, he was not able to maintain this position as the race continued, falling back to where he started, where he ultimately took the checkered. This is de Alba’s best finish at Road America and the 15th top-10 finish of his INDY NXT career.
“It was a disappointing end to the race. We just didn’t have the pace we were hoping for. I managed to finish where we started, but obviously, we want more than that. We definitely need to find a bit more speed to be in the fight, but I know it’s there. Big thanks to the 27 Grupo Indi crew for all their hard work. We’ll keep pushing and look ahead to Mid-Ohio”
Dennis Hauger
No. 28 Nammo Dallara
P2
| Started | P1 |
| Standings | P1 (317 points) |
- Starting from the pole for the fifth time in his INDY NXT career, Dennis Hauger made his debut at Road America this morning as he got a strong jump at the green, leading at the start of the race and increasing the gap between him and second place significantly.
- Although with just five laps to go, competitor Caio Collet made up enough space to make a pass for the race lead, shuffling Hauger down to P2.
- This is Hauger’s fifth podium of the 2025 season and of his INDY NXT career.
“I think we’ve been a bit on the back foot compared to (Caio) Collet all weekend. We’ve been quicker than him in one lap, and that was qualifying. So, I think the team did a great job there. We did everything right today, but they were just a bit stronger. I started struggling a bit towards the last seven or eight laps. I just couldn’t quite get the run on the corner, so he got a good run and got ahead of me going into Turn 1. I tried to do what I could, it just wasn’t meant to to be today., Still a decent weekend, and hopefully we can have a good weekend in Mid-Ohio. Road America is an awesome track, really long. It’s a bit different than what we’ve been doing in the past races, compared to WWTR and Detroit. So it was definitely a change, but I really loved it and I can’t wait to come back.”
James Roe
No. 29 Topcon Dallara
P14
| Started | P17 |
| Standings | P15 (105 points) |
- After a tough qualifying session yesterday forced James Roe to start today’s race near the back of the field, the Irish driver was determined to utilize Road America’s ample opportunities for overtaking to make up some positions during the race.
- In the traffic at the back of the field, Roe struggled at the beginning of the race to make moves up the field. Although, he began to find his rhythm with under 10 laps to go, moving up several spots to P14, where he ultimately took the checkered.
“It was a clean day, and that’s exactly what we needed to keep moving forward. It was probably one of the hottest races I’ve ever done, so I’m just happy to see the finish and bring home some points. We’ll just keep working away and get ready for Mid-Ohio in a few weeks.”
Seb Murray
No. 2 Dream Racing Dubai Dallara
P11
| Started | P14 |
| Standings | P9 (128 points) |
- INDY NXT rookie Seb Murray took on Road America for the first time this morning from the seventh row on the grid.
- Within the first five laps of the race, Murray was able to make successful passes to move up to P12. Then, by the halfway point in the race, the Scot was continuing to make up some important ground, moving up one more spot to put him just outside of the top 10, where he finished the race. This is Murray’s best INDY NXT road course finish.
- Murray’s progress during the race made him today’s Jostens’ Biggest Mover.
“It was a hot day here at Road America, but overall, a really solid result. We were the Biggest Mover today which feels great. Now the focus shifts to Mid-Ohio next. Looking forward to seeing what we can do there. Big thanks to the team for all their hard work.”
Ricardo Escotto
No. 3 Frank’s RedHot Dallara
P13
| Started | P16 |
| Standings | P14 (116 points) |
- Ricardo Escotto made his Road America debut this morning after struggling to find pace in yesterday’s qualifying session.
- Determined to come back from yesterday, Escotto made the jump within the first five laps of the race to move up three positions, sticking right behind teammate Murray. By halfway through the race, Escotto shuffled down the field just one spot to P14, but quickly regained his P13 spot as the race continued, and took the checkered there to wrap up his Road America debut.
“It was a tough race here at Road America. We just didn’t have the pace today and struggled throughout. But that’s how it goes sometimes. We’ll take what we’ve learned and come back stronger at the next one.”
Don Lambert
Team Manager
“It was a solid day for the Andretti Global INDY NXT team. Dennis had a strong run. He has been consistent all season. When you’re running at the front late in the race, even the smallest mistake can open the door for an overtake, and that’s just how it played out today. Still, we’re in a good spot with points, and there’s a lot to be proud of. Without push-to-pass available for anyone, it made passing really tough, so having Lochie pulling off that last lap move was impressive as well. Overall, a good day for the team, and we’ll keep building from here.”
