RACE REPORT: INDY NXT by Firestone at World Wide Technology Raceway
Race Notes
- Following a successful qualifying session yesterday that allowed the Andretti INDY NXT team to lead the field to green for the sixth time this season, Lochie Hughes made an impressive comeback to take the lead in the final moments of the race and secure the second win of his INDY NXT career. Finishing close behind was Salvador de Alba in P4, and Dennis Hauger rounding out the top five.
- This win extends the Andretti INDY NXT victory streak to eight consecutive races, dating back to the Milwaukee Mile in 2024.
- This is the first INDY NXT oval race with no caution periods since 2022, which was here at WWTR, and won by former Andretti INDY NXT driver Matt Brabham.
- The Andretti INDY NXT team will be on track again soon, as they head to Elkhart Lake, WI to race at Road America on Sunday, June 22 at 11 AM ET.
Race Results
Lochie Hughes
No. 26 McGinley Clinic /
USF Championship Dallara
P1
| Started | P5 |
| Standings | P2 (254 points) |
- Following a difficult qualifying session yesterday that saw Lochie Hughes start the race in P5, Hughes continued to run into trouble at the start of the race when he couldn’t get the jump he needed at at the green flag, and fell back to P6. The No. 26 driver remained in this position for the majority of the race before he decided to try running the high line where he was successful in making passes to break back into the top five.
- From that point on, Hughes was unstoppable. The Aussie made an impressive comeback, weaving his way up the field until he took the lead on Lap 62 and eventually captured his second win of his INDY NXT career to round out an impressive debut race at WWTR.
“I was pushing from the start. Honestly, I was a bit frustrated under the helmet early on because the car just wasn’t doing what I wanted. But then, about halfway through, it suddenly came alive. I was able to just roll past people, and it all came together from there. Huge thanks to everyone who helped me this weekend to dial the car in that well. I really needed this win for the Championship, especially after the last two races didn’t go our way. And to get my first win on an oval is awesome.”
Salvador de Alba
No. 27 Grupo Indi Dallara
P4
| Started | P3 |
| Standings | P5 (167 points) |
- Although he started today’s race from his career-best starting position, Salvador de Alba wasn’t able to maintain his P3 spot at the start of the race, quickly falling to P4 within the first lap. De Alba continued to move down the field as the race continued, running as low as P6, but maximized his tools in the final five laps of the race to make passes that put him back into that P4 spot.
- This is de Alba’s ninth career top-five finish, matching his result on this track from last year’s race.
“We definitely did not have the pace we were hoping for in the race. We had a few issues with the car, but still we got a top five, so we’ll take it. Overall, we’re happy to come away with solid points. The No. 26 car was on fire today – huge congrats to Lochie and everyone on that crew. Next up is Road America, and we’ll keep pushing.”
Dennis Hauger
No. 28 Nammo Dallara
P5
| Started | P1 |
| Standings | P1 (273 points) |
- Following a track-record breaking qualifying effort that started him in the pole position for his career-first oval race, Dennis Hauger took the green leading the initial laps, but ultimately lost the lead by Lap 4. Hauger maintained the P2 spot for the majority of the race, but with just 15 laps to go, was shuffled down to P3. As the final 10 laps played out, Dennis could not maintain the pace he needed to claim a podium finish and ultimately took the checkered in P5.
- Hauger’s result marks his fifth INDY NXT career top-five finish.
“Overall, it was a solid weekend. We got the pole, which was a great start, and I gained some experience running on an oval for the first time. That was really cool. I don’t think we quite nailed it today, though. We were all gambling a bit with downforce levels, and the top two cars were trimmed out the most. That’s just how it goes sometimes. There are definitely things we can work on, but that’s expected. It’s my first time here. We’ve got a lot to review heading into the next one. I’m really looking forward to Road America next week.”
James Roe
No. 29 Topcon Dallara
P18
| Started | P19 |
| Standings | P15 (89 points) |
- James Roe was able to get a strong start to the race, allowing him to move up the field, running as high as P15. Although as the race continued, James could not find the speed that he needed to remain on the lead lap, moving back down and taking the checkered in P18, 3 laps down.
“It was not an easy day. We knew it was going to be tough starting from where we did, and it was. But we got it to the finish, and now we’ve got some work to do. We’ll go back, analyze the data and come back stronger.”
Seb Murray
No. 2 Dream Racing Dubai Dallara
P12
| Started | P13 |
| Standings | P9 (109 points) |
- Seb Murray made his oval racing debut this afternoon, following a difficult qualifying session yesterday that started him near the middle of the grid today.
- As the race began, Murray fell three positions from where he started, but eventually moved his way up the field as the race continued, as he ran a clean oval debut race. Murray was able to take the checkered a position above where he started, but a lap down.
“Overall, it was a really good weekend. The team has done a great job, and it feels good to get the first oval out of the way. I think we got what we came for today. We finished strong, made up some positions and fought our way through. Honestly, I think we had the pace, but we just got stuck behind the another car for half the race. If we’d gotten past him earlier, it might’ve been a very different result. Now we reset and see what we can do next weekend at Road America.”
Ricardo Escotto
No. 3 Frank’s RedHot Dallara
P13
| Started | P11 |
| Standings | P13 (99 points) |
- Ricardo Escotto also made ran his first oval race this afternoon with Andretti Cape, where he held onto his starting position for the beginning of the race. Although, by Lap 23, he began falling back in the field as he wasn’t able to maintain pace. Escotto ultimately took the checkered in P13 a lap down.
“It was a disappointing race. We just didn’t have enough pace. The car wasn’t as we expected, and we just struggled. We’ll look to bounce back in Road America.”
Don Lambert
Team Manager
“What an exciting race. Early on, I wasn’t sure how Lochie was going to pull this off. Lochie and the No. 26 team just ended up picking the right down force setup, and his car came to life in the middle of the race. I thought Dennis was strong. It’s his first oval race, so I think now he has something to look back on and to understand. It’s good to have Salvador up in the top five there as well. It’s just a huge day for Lochie for with the points. It’s just going to be a battle all the way to the end.”
