Photo: Travis Hinkle
Indy Nxt champion Dennis Hauger has secured a place on the IndyCar grid for 2026, landing a full-time seat with Dale Coyne Racing.
Hauger joins the team as it strikes a technical alliance with Andretti Global, who he raced for in Indy Nxt and was already understood to be maintaining a connection to for next year.
The 22-year-old Norwegian’s step up to IndyCar has been in part funded by the $850,000 (£628,875) he received as prize for winning the Indy Nxt title. That will be spent on a rookie oval test, the Indianapolis 500 open test and rookie orientation programme, his entry into the Indy 500 and one other race. His first IndyCar test will be at Mid-Ohio, a road course.
“I’m excited to be joining Dale Coyne Racing for my rookie IndyCar season,” said Hauger.
“The progress the team has shown this year is really impressive, and it’s an honor to take my place on the grid with them in 2026. I want to thank Dale Coyne and everyone at the team for putting their trust in me.
“It’ll also be nice to see some familiar faces through the team’s technical partnership with Andretti Global. They’ve been a big part of my success since making the switch, so having their involvement in another rookie season for me will be great. I’m looking forward to contributing and starting this next chapter together.”
Hauger’s sole Indy Nxt campaign featured six victories, five other podiums and seven poles, and came after three years in Formula 2. He won five races, took eight other podiums and two poles in there and ended his 2024 season early to focus on preparing for the sideways move to Indy Nxt.
On his way up the single-seater ladder he won the Italian Formula 4 title, was ADAC F4 runner-up and FIA Formula 3 champion. Hauger was a Red Bull junior from 2017 to 2023, and tested with Porsche in Formula E last year.
“This is a great opportunity for us here at DCR to bring on a talented driver and gain a strong technical partner in Andretti Global,” DCR team owner Dale Coyne said. “Thanks to Dan [Towriss, Andretti Global team partner] and his belief in our sport and his dedication to elevating Dennis to the top of the ladder.”