Indy NXT | Race | St. Pete | Hauger takes dominant win in crash-filled event - Motorsport

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The opening race of the 2025 Indy NXT season at St. Pete has been completed, full report and results below.

There was heartbreak for Liam Sceats as he boxed due to an issue with his front wing. While he ultimately got going, he was 11 laps down.

Chaos at the start

As the green flag was thrown, Dennis Hauger maintained his lead. However, there was a mess in the middle of the field on the run to turn 1. Tommy Smith hit Niels Koolen, sending the Dutchman into the wall. James Roe had to take evasive action, sliding across the track and hitting the Australian who started it all off.

There was heavy damage for Roe and Koolen as they limped back to the pits. Tommy Smith got beached on the kerb. The Aussie and Irishman both returned to the race eventually.

Jack William Miller got the jump on Myles Rowe at the start, but Rowe got his way back through on the restart. Jordan Missig had a brilliant launch on the resumption, passing Escotto around the outside into turn 1. Three corners later, he passed Jonathan Browne for P7.

The top 10 after everything settled down as Hauger, Hughes, Collet, Rowe, Miller, de Alba, Missig, Browne, Escotto and Hedge.

A miserable day for Roe

James Roe’s miserable start to the 2025 Indy NXT season came to an end on lap 9 as the second caution of the race was thrown. He was already multiple laps down when he went deep at turn 10 and hit the tyre barriers.

Pierson continues charge on the restart

From P19 on the grid, Josh Pierson worked his way up to 11th by lap 15, including a pass on Murray into turn 4 on the second restart. The Scottish driver had front wing damage following unseen contact when the green flag was thrown again.

Callum Hedge had a big moment into turn 1 as he tried to take a look around the outside of Escotto for P9. He carried on and maintained position. The New Zealander would eventually get the Mexican, however.

Allaer finds the wall

A third caution was thrown on lap 21 as Nolan Allaer found the tyre barriers at the final corner. He had been running in P15 at that stage.

Pierson continues his progress

After restart number three of the 2025 Indy NXT race at St. Pete, Escotto got beaten up. Slight contact with Pierson for P10 saw him drop behind the number 14, as well as Johnson.

As it became a timed race, Murray boxed as the front wing damage became too much.

Heartbreak from Miller

Heading into turn 9, Jack William Miller hit the wall on the outside, losing 5th place in heartbreaking fashion with a couple of laps left.

Finishing behind the pace car, Hauger completed a perfect race, leading from start to finish. Before the final caution, he had pulled out over a 3s to Andretti teammate and fellow rookie Lockie Hughes. Caio Collet completed the podium positions.

Ricardo Escotto completed the top 10 after getting Nikita Johnson back in the closing stages.

Chip Ganassi Racing had a good return to the series, with Jonathan Browne finishing in a very solid P7.