Indy NXT | Race | Portland | Hauger takes crucial victory after brilliant start - Motorsport

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Round 12 of the 2025 Indy NXT season at Portland is in the books as the race has been completed, view the full report and results below.

Caio Collet started on pole once again as he was quickest in Group 2. Championship leader Dennis Hauger went off from 3rd as the Brazilian continued to apply big pressure following his two wins at Laguna Seca.

On his return to the series, Michael d’Orlando started on the eighth row. Nicholas Monteiro was just in front as he made his debut in Indy NXT.

Immediate chaos at the start as Hauger gets dream first lap

At the start, Dennis Hauger used the slipstream and sent it down the inside into turn 1 on Myles Rowe for 2nd. Unfortunately for Bryce Aron, he tagged Rowe trying to pass him, spinning out and had a broken left front tyre. Hughes could not avoid him and damaged his wing. Juan Manuel Correa ended up at the back as he also boxed for damage. 4 took to the escape road.

As Collet went a fraction deep into turn 2, Hauger swept around the outside to take the lead. The caution then appeared to clear Aron’s car. 4

Hauger, Collet, Rowe, Hedge, Koolen, de Alba, d’Orlando, Smith, Missig and Roe was the top 10 on the restart. d’Orlando gained nine spots, with Miller going up eight to P11.

de Alba overtook Koolen, with Smith passing the Dutchman and d’Orlando to move up to 6th.

James Roe had to box at the end of lap 5 as he sustained damage following contact with Miller as they went side-by-side out of turn 7. The Irish driver very briefly got airborne.

At the start of lap 8, d’Orlando got back ahead of Smith with a nice pass into turn 1. Meanwhile from 18th, Hughes moved up to P12 by the end of that lap.

Allaer and Smith fade

After avoiding all the carnage, Nolan Allaer briefly found himself in 10th. That was until Correa, Hughes and Pierson all passed him quite quickly to demote him to 13th.

Not for the first time, Tommy Smith struggled as the race went on, losing places to Missig, Correa and Hughes in the space of a couple of laps to fall to P11.

Hauger led Collet, Rowe, Hedge, de Alba, Koolen, d’Orlando, Missig, Correa and Hughes was the top 10 with 10 to go.

Hauger brings it home

Despite relentless pressure from Caio Collet until the final 5 laps, Dennis Hauger controlled things perfectly to take a huge victory in the title battle against the Brazilian. Myles Rowe drove a nice, clean race to finish a lonely but strong P3.

Hedge, de Alba, Koolen, d’Orlando, Missig, Correa and Hughes completed the top 10.