De Alba Breaks Through as Hauger Seals INDY NXT Title in Andretti Sweep

Salvador de Alba scored his maiden INDY NXT by Firestone victory while Dennis Hauger wrapped up the championship, capping a dominant day for Andretti Global at the Milwaukee Mile.

De Alba, in his 27th career start, led all 90 laps after muscling past pole-sitter Hauger with a bold outside move on the opening lap. From there, the Mexican veteran controlled proceedings in the No. 27 Grupo Indi machine and delivered his first win in style.

“It worked out perfectly,” De Alba said. “The car was on rails all race long. To finally break through and get this result, on the same day Dennis wins the championship and with Lochie joining us on the podium, it’s just a massive day for the whole Andretti team.”

Rookie Hauger crossed the line second in the No. 28 Nammo car to secure his first INDY NXT title, becoming the first Norwegian driver to claim the crown. Hauger finished ahead of his only title rival Caio Collet, who was seventh for HMD Motorsports. The result gives Andretti its seventh series championship, equalling Sam Schmidt Motorsports’ all-time record, and makes it back-to-back titles after Louis Foster’s 2024 success.

“It’s been an incredible season,” Hauger said. “We had a few ups and downs, but mostly ups, and I’m super proud to bring this championship home as a rookie.”

The day got even better for Andretti as Aussie rookie Lochie Hughes brought the No. 26 McGinley Clinic/USF Pro Championship entry home third, completing the team’s first podium sweep since 2022.

Callum Hedge finished fourth for Abel Motorsports while Bryce Aron charged late to take fifth for Chip Ganassi Racing. The only caution came on lap 47 when Jack William Miller spun and hit the wall, but De Alba comfortably fended off Hauger on the restart and eased clear to win by 1.469 seconds.

Andretti’s Milwaukee dominance now sets the stage for the INDY NXT finale next Sunday, August 31, with the Music City Grand Prix on the Nashville Superspeedway oval.

Results Indy NXT @ Milwaukee Mile

Position – Driver – Laps/Gap

1. Salvador de Alba – 90 laps

2. Dennis Hauger – +1.4693s

3. Lochie Hughes – +2.5918s

4. Callum Hedge – +4.5397s

5. Bryce Aron – +5.9508s

6. Myles Rowe – +8.5821s

7. Caio Collet – +12.3345s

8. Michael d’Orlando – +24.5632s

9. James Roe – +24.5913s

10. Max Taylor – +24.9704s

11. Josh Pierson – +25.0801s

12. Niels Koolen – 1 lap down

13. Jordan Missig – 1 lap down

14. Hailie Deegan – 1 lap down

15. Davey Hamilton Jr. – 13 laps down (Contact)

16. Sebastian Murray – 26 laps down (Retired)

17. Jack William Miller – 44 laps down (Contact)

18. Tommy Smith – 51 laps down (Retired)

2025 Indy NXT Championship

Pos – Driver – Points

1. Dennis Hauger – 564

2. Caio Collet – 495

3. Lochie Hughes – 436

4. Myles Rowe – 407

5. Salvador de Alba – 374

6. Josh Pierson – 356

7. Callum Hedge – 346

8. Niels Koolen – 262

9. Jack William Miller – 251

10. Jordan Missig – 249

Image: Penske Entertainment/Chris Jones