INDY NXT RACE REPORT: Grand Prix of Monterey Race 1
Race Notes
- Kicking off the first race of the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey doubleheader weekend, Dennis Hauger led the Andretti INDY NXT team with a second-place finish. Lochie Hughes was the team’s second-highest finisher in sixth place.
- Today’s result marks the Andretti INDY NXT team’s 273rd overall podium finish and 30th consecutive, dating back to the INDY NXT by Firestone Music City Grand Prix in 2023.
- A weather-delayed qualifying session this morning saw the Andretti INDY NXT team make their attempts to lock in their starting positions for Races 1 and 2 this weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Hauger led the team’s qualifying efforts, securing the highest starting position in P2, with teammate Hughes starting two rows behind in P6.
- INDY NXT by Firestone will be back in action tomorrow for Race 2 of the Laguna Seca race weekend. The green flag will wave with live coverage on FS1 at 1:00 PM ET.
Race Results
Lochie Hughes
No. 26 McGinley Clinic /
USF Championship Dallara
P6
| Started | P6 |
| Standings | P3 (366 points) |
- After a strong showing in Practice 2 yesterday that saw Lochie Hughes post the second-fastest lap, the Australian was unfortunately unable to carry that same pace into Qualifying this afternoon, ultimately recording the sixth-fastest time of the session.
- Hughes took his first career race start at Laguna Seca later this afternoon, maintaining his starting position throughout the entirety of the 35-lap event, ultimately taking the checkered just outside of the top five.
- Today’s result marks Hughes’ ninth INDY NXT career top-10 finish.
“There’s not much to say about today. We had some contact early on, and the car just never felt quite right after that. We’ll go through everything tonight and make sure we come back stronger tomorrow.”
Salvador de Alba
No. 27 Grupo Indi Dallara
P19
| Started | P16 |
| Standings | P6 (269 points) |
- Making his third start at Laguna Seca today, Salvador de Alba took the green flag from the eighth row after struggling to find speed in Qualifying earlier this afternoon.
- Unfortunately, on the opening lap of the race, de Alba was involved in a multi-car incident in Turn 4, sending him into the gravel. Unable to get the car back on track, the Mexican driver was forced to end his race early.
“Well, I’m very, very frustrated. I had a very good start, and then just got collected in some damage that I was just not a part of. It was going to go yellow anyway, and then the car (No. 48) just decided to turn to the left instead of the right, causing the accident. So, I’m frustrated about that. I’m also annoyed and sad for the 27 Grupo Indi crew, especially because I was feeling good with the start and how we could have moved the car up during the race. We just have to do it again tomorrow, starting way back and just making clever and assertive decisions.”
Dennis Hauger
No. 28 Nammo Dallara
P2
| Started | P2 |
| Standings | P1 (455 points) |
- After leading Group 1 in Qualifying this afternoon and recording the second fastest lap overall, Dennis Hauger continued his streak of starting on the front row of every INDY NXT race so far this season.
- Hauger held strong to his P2 starting spot throughout the race, recording the fastest lap of the event and maintaining a narrow gap between himself and first place, but he ultimately took the checkered in second.
- Today’s result marks Hauger’s eighth INDY NXT podium result of the season.
“We got close there at the end, but just couldn’t quite make it happen. After yesterday’s crash, I’m proud we bounced back and came away with solid points. The conditions were tough, and being first out there put us at a disadvantage compared to Group 2, but I just focused on getting a clean lap in. I learned a lot today, especially about managing tires and applying pressure late in the race. Hopefully, we can put that to good use and go after it again tomorrow.”
James Roe
No. 29 Topcon Dallara
P14
| Started | P11 |
| Standings | P12 (164 points) |
- As the most experienced driver in the Andretti fleet, James Roe made his fifth race start at Laguna Seca this afternoon just outside of the top 10, hoping that by fine-tuning his approach to today’s race, he could find the pace he needed to move up the field.
- Although Roe ran into issues on the first lap when a competitor (No. 39) made contact with the back of his car, damaging the left rear tire. After pitting for repairs, Roe rejoined the field a lap down, where he stayed clean for the rest of the race and took the checkered in 14th.
“It was a tough one today. We got hit from behind at the start and had to pit for a rear wishbone, which put us a lap down right away. Once we got back out, the pace was really strong, the car felt great, but being off the lead lap limited what we could do, especially once we hit traffic. Nothing we could really fight for at that point. We’ll learn from it, reset, and come back stronger tomorrow.”
Seb Murray
No. 2 Dream Racing Dubai Dallara
P17
| Started | P8 |
| Standings | P13 (153 points) |
- Making his Grand Prix of Monterey debut this weekend, Seb Murray took the green flag in his INDY NXT career-best starting position this afternoon in the fourth row.
- Unfortunately, Murray didn’t have the opportunity to capitalize on his solid spot on the grid after getting wrapped up in the Lap 1 Turn 1 multi-car incident with teammate de Alba.
- After quickly pitting for repairs, the Scot rejoined the field, but a lap down.
- With 14 laps to go, Murray faced issues with the gearbox, forcing him off the track in Turn 12. He was able to recover enough to get back on track and pull off to a safe location in Turn 1 to avoid causing a yellow flag, where he was instructed by Race Control to remain for the rest of the race.
“Today was not the result we deserved based on how quick we’ve been this weekend. We got off to a decent start, but I started struggling with brake fade early on and just couldn’t get the car stopped. I made contact in Turn 4, but was able to keep going. Unfortunately, we had a gearbox failure halfway through and that ended our day. Still, we’ve been quick all weekend and had a strong qualifying, so the focus shifts to tomorrow. I know this team will give me a good car, and we’ll push hard for a top-five finish in Race 2.”
Don Lambert
Team Manager
“Overall, not a bad day at Laguna Seca. Dennis did a great job. We didn’t quite have the car to win, but when you’ve got a second-place car in a Championship fight, you take second and keep stacking points. Lochie showed some strong moments despite a few struggles, and we know there’s more to come from him. It was disappointing to see the Turn 7 incident take James out, and tough for Salvador to walk away without points. Not the day we wanted for those two, but we’ll regroup, reset and come back stronger tomorrow.”
