The 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone championship is entering a tense conclusion as Caio Collet and Dennis Hauger continue their fierce competition. After Collet’s strong performances at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and Portland International Raceway, Hauger still holds a narrow 54-point lead heading into the final two races, making the championship fight far from settled.
Collet’s Recent Surge at Laguna Seca and Portland
Collet renewed his title challenge with a commanding double victory at Laguna Seca on July 26-27. This remarkable weekend saw Hauger endure his toughest showing of the season, including a crash in practice and a 16th-place finish in the second race, which cut his points advantage from 76 to 42. Collet then built on this momentum by securing pole position in last weekend’s Portland round. Despite Collet’s efforts, Hauger responded impressively, moving up from third on the grid to overtake him on the opening lap and claim his sixth win in 12 races.
Hauger’s Composure and Consistency Under Pressure
With a medical precision and calmness, Hauger has managed to keep his championship hopes alive. Speaking candidly, Hauger emphasized the importance of staying focused while reflecting on his setbacks earlier in the season:
“We know we have the pace, we know we have the team and the car,”
Hauger said.
“It’s just about keeping calm, not overstressing and doing what we’ve been doing. I made a mistake at Laguna Seca, and if I hadn’t crashed, I think we could’ve been on pole and maybe even won. In the end, it’s the small things that matter.”
He recognizes the challenge ahead but aims to maintain stability and continue pushing for wins in the critical final rounds.
Oval Races Key to Deciding the Championship
The last two rounds of the season, set for the Milwaukee Mile on August 24 and Nashville Superspeedway on August 31, take place on oval tracks—an aspect that presents an open question for both drivers. Neither Collet nor Hauger has yet won on an oval, keeping the championship outcome uncertain.
Before this season, Hauger had no oval racing experience, but he has adapted quickly, starting from pole in both oval events and leading 64 laps combined. Although he finished second in the most recent oval race at Iowa Speedway, this progress marks a steep learning curve for the Norwegian racer. Reflecting on his oval performances, Hauger said:
“We’re building step by step,”
Hauger stated.
“It’s definitely a different style of racing, but we’re progressing every weekend. We were close last time.”
Pressure on Collet to Respond in the Season’s Final Stages
With Hauger holding a slight but significant advantage, the pressure shifts toward Collet to seize victory in at least one of the final oval races. As a second-year driver for HMD Motorsports, Collet remains optimistic despite the intensity:
“I didn’t expect to be in this position, to be honest,”
Collet confessed.
“At midseason, we all thought the championship already had a name, and it was his. But we kept fighting. Racing is never over until it’s over.”
Collet’s recent surge, highlighted by three wins in the last six races, has transformed him from an unlikely challenger to a genuine contender. He attributes that resurgence to seizing opportunities when they arise:
“I think Laguna made the championship alive again,”
Collet said.
It wasn’t that I had a perfect weekend – just that the opportunity presented itself, and we took everything we could from it. Those wins gave us a chance to fight until the end. Now we’ve got to grab that with both hands.”
Final Push to Close the Championship Gap
Collet understands the challenge ahead, indicating the necessity to keep winning while chipping away at Hauger’s lead. He acknowledged Hauger’s consistency this season:
“There’s definitely pressure to keep winning,”
Collet said.
“He’s done a great job all year, and I don’t see him finishing outside the top three. So, for us, it’s simple, we have to try to win and chip away at the gap.”
Meanwhile, Hauger approaches the final races with cautious confidence but minimal pressure on himself:
“There are two more races, both on ovals, and I think we can keep building momentum,”
Hauger expressed.
“I only put pressure on myself. We know what we have to do: keep it clean and aim to win. If we do that, the rest will take care of itself. Honestly, I think they’re the ones under more pressure.”
Championship Outcome Remains Wide Open
As the INDY NXT championship heads to ovals at Milwaukee and Nashville, the battle between Caio Collet and Dennis Hauger intensifies. With just a 54-point difference—a margin roughly equivalent to a single race win—the final two rounds will test the drivers’ skills, composure, and ability to adapt. Collet’s recent victories have injected new energy into his campaign, while Hauger’s ability to respond under pressure keeps him in control. The upcoming races are expected to define not only the champion but also how both drivers evolve under high stakes.