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Dennis Hauger Dominates Detroit Streets for Fourth INDY NXT Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Swaraj Patil | Last updated Jun 1, 2025 1:15 PM ET

Dennis Hauger continued his sensational 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone campaign with a commanding victory on Detroit's challenging street circuit, claiming his fourth win in just five races.

The Norwegian driver's latest triumph further solidified his championship lead and demonstrated why he's become the series' most dominant force.

Racing on Detroit's tricky street course isn't easy. The track has tight corners, concrete walls everywhere and almost no room for mistakes. But Hauger made it look simple, leading from start to finish after earning pole position.

Getting that pole wasn't straightforward though. Hauger struggled with his tires at first and even brushed the wall during one of his qualifying attempts. Still, when it mattered most, he found the speed to secure the top starting spot.

The race itself was chaotic from the beginning. Multiple crashes brought out several yellow flags and even a red flag, creating plenty of restarts that could have mixed up the running order. But Hauger stayed calm through all the drama.

By lap 12, he had built a solid lead over his Andretti Global teammate Lochie Hughes. Even though Hughes was posting the fastest lap times, he couldn't catch up to Hauger, who was managing his tires perfectly on the rough street surface.

Dennis Hauger wins Indy NXT race in Detroit.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 1, 2025

This win shows just how well Hauger has adapted to American racing. The former European Formula 2 driver has found his groove in INDY NXT, saying the atmosphere here feels more relaxed and fun compared to the politics of European motorsport.

Hauger has embraced being called the "Norwegian Nightmare" and clearly enjoys being the target everyone wants to beat. With such a strong start to the season, he's looking like the clear favorite for the championship.

His combination of speed, smart driving and staying cool under pressure has put him in a class of his own this year.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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