Indy NXT | Qualifying | Mid-Ohio | Hauger pips Collet to pole

Qualifying for Round 8 of the Indy NXT season is in the books as the grid is set at Mid-Ohio for tomorrow’s race, view the full report and results below.

Caio Collet was fastest in second practice and went in Group 2. Dennis Hauger and Lochie Hughes were out in Group 1.

Group 1

With the tyres taking their time to get in the operating window, multiple ‘slow’ laps took place before the session properly got going.

Myles Rowe logged a 1:11.525 to lead the way with just over 7 minutes left. Hauger was a on .553, with Lochie Hughes doing a 1:11.713. There was still plenty of time to find, however.

The ‘Norwegian Nightmare’ soon did it, logging a 1:10.644 to put almost 0.3s into teammate Hughes. de Alba did a 1:11.080 to into 3rd. On his next run, Hauger put down a stunning lap as he did a 1:09.945, going half a second clear of the Aussie.

Lochie Hughes did get close. A 1:10.053 from the Andretti saw him end up just over a tenth away from his teammate.

With just over two minutes remaining, Dennis Hauger put down a 1:09.743 to improve by a couple of tenths at the front. Hughes improved at the very end but it was a 1:09.989 to fall a couple of tenths short.

As he approached the timing line on his final flying lap, Myles Rowe got on the grass and was lucky to avoid the barriers.

Hauger topped the times from Hughes, de Alba, Aron, Papasavvas, Correa, Rowe, Row and Koolen.

Group 1 results of Indy NXT qualifying at Mid-Ohio

1. Hauger 1:09.743
2. Hughes 1:09.989
3. de Alba 1:10.391
4. Aron 1:10.392
5. Papasavvas 1:10.659
6. Correa 1:10.683
7. Rowe 1:10.748
8. Roe 1:10.752
9. Koolen 1:10.856

Group 2

Caio Collet was quick to get going, clocking a 1:11.093 early doors. He then lowered it to a 1:10.327, immediately getting close to Dennis Hauger’s time. Hedge was a couple of tenths away from the Brazilian, and Pierson a tenth further back with 7:30 to go.

Laps of a 1:10.198 and then a 1:09.861 saw Collet get to within a tenth of the championship leader. Josh Pierson was keeping him honest as he got to a 1:10.031.

Unfortunately for Collet, he could find no more time and it’s pole position for Dennis Hauger for Sunday’s Mid-Ohio contest. Josh Pierson will join Lochie Hughes on the second row.

Hedge, Missig, Miller, Murray, Allaer, Escotto, Smith and Deegan rounded out the order in Group 2.

Group 2 results of Indy NXT qualifying at Mid-Ohio

1. Collet 1:09.861
2. Pierson 1:10.031
3. Hedge 1:10.248
4. Missig 1:10.386
5. Miller 1:10.447
6. Murray 1:10.496
7. Allaer 1:10.580
8. Escotto 1:10.699
9. Smith 1:10.903
10. Deegan 1:11.528

Starting grid for Indy NXT at Mid-Ohio

1. Hauger
2. Collet
3. Hughes
4. Pierson
5. de Alba
6. Hedge
7. Aron
8. Missig
9. Papasavvas
10. Miller
11. Correa
12. Murray
13. Rowe
14. Allaer
15. Roe
16. Escotto
17. Koolen
18. Smith
19. Deegan