Dale Coyne Racing has confirmed that reigning Indy NXT champion Dennis Hauger will graduate to the IndyCar Sequence in 2026, driving one of many crew’s Honda-powered automobiles. The announcement additionally included information of a newly shaped technical partnership between Dale Coyne Racing and Andretti World, which can come into impact subsequent season.
Hauger, 22, joins IndyCar after an excellent rookie marketing campaign in Indy NXT, the place he dominated the 2025 season driving for Andretti World. The Norwegian scored six victories, 5 further podium finishes, seven pole positions and 13 top-10 outcomes throughout 14 races, permitting him to clinch the title with one spherical to spare at Milwaukee.
Hauger’s background
Dennis Hauger, Andretti World
It marks a powerful begin to Hauger’s profession in American racing. He started karting on the age of 5 in his native Norway earlier than transferring on to the worldwide stage by the age of 10. After gathering quite a few titles and podiums, he transitioned to single-seaters in 2018 within the British F4 Championship, the identical yr he grew to become a Pink Bull Junior Driver.
In 2019, Hauger captured the Italian F4 title and completed runner-up in ADAC Components 4. He progressed to FIA Components 3 in 2020, happening to win the championship a yr later. Between 2022 and 2024, Hauger competed in FIA Components 2, securing 5 wins and 13 podiums. Throughout this era, he remained a part of the Pink Bull Junior program and served as a reserve driver for Pink Bull Racing in Components 1 in the course of the 2023 season, earlier than parting methods with the group on the finish of that yr.
Hauger will get his first laps in IndyCar equipment throughout offseason testing at Mid-Ohio later this yr, earlier than making his race debut on the 2026 season opener on the streets of St. Petersburg, scheduled for March 1.
“This can be a nice alternative for us right here at DCR to deliver on a gifted driver and acquire a powerful technical companion in Andretti World,” mentioned crew proprietor Dale Coyne. “Because of Dan and his perception in our sport and his dedication to elevating Dennis to the highest of the ladder.”
Hauger added: “I’m excited to be becoming a member of Dale Coyne Racing for my rookie IndyCar season. The progress the crew has proven this yr is admittedly spectacular, and it’s an honor to take my place on the grid with them in 2026.
“It’ll even be good to see some acquainted faces by way of the crew’s technical partnership with Andretti World. They’ve been a giant a part of my success since making the change, so having their involvement in one other rookie season for me will probably be nice. I’m wanting ahead to contributing and beginning this subsequent chapter collectively.”
Dale Coyne Racing competed with Rinus VeeKay and Jacob Abel in the course of the 2025 IndyCar season. VeeKay completed 14th within the closing championship standings, with a second place in Toronto as his greatest consequence. Abel endured a troublesome rookie marketing campaign, ending twenty seventh general, final among the many full-time drivers.
Whereas each drivers are exploring alternatives outdoors DCR, the crew expects to announce its second driver for 2026 inside the subsequent month.
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