Dennis Hauger continued his flawless qualifying streak in the 2024 INDY NXT by Firestone season, securing pole position for the Grand Prix of Alabama during a weather-affected session Saturday at Barber Motorsports Park.
The Norwegian driver posted a fastest lap of 1:12.7705 in the No. 28 Rental Group car for Andretti Global, earning the top starting spot for Sunday’s race. Hauger, who debuted in the INDYCAR development series with both a pole and race win on March 2 in St. Petersburg, Florida, is now two-for-two in qualifying this season.
Qualifying Highlights: A Game of Conditions
Saturday’s qualifying featured dramatically shifting weather. The 20 drivers were split into two groups, with the first group navigating damp conditions on Firestone Firehawk rain tires. By the time the second group hit the track, the 2.3-mile, 17-turn circuit had dried sufficiently for slick tires, resulting in significantly faster lap times.
Despite the difference in conditions, series rules dictate that the grid must alternate between the fastest drivers in each group. As a result, Caio Collet, who topped the slower, rain-affected first group with a lap of 1:24.8394 in the No. 76 HMD Motorsports entry, will start alongside Hauger on the front row—even though his time was over 12 seconds slower.
This pattern carried through the entire starting order, with odd-numbered grid positions awarded to the quicker second group and even-numbered spots to the first group.
Hauger was already leading before he further improved his time on the final lap. All drivers in the second group had one last flying lap after rookie Max Taylor spun off in the No. 18 HMD Motorsports car, causing a red flag and forfeiting his two best laps.
“It looked like it was drying, but you never know until you’re out there,” Hauger said. “After the first lap, I told the team we needed to pit for slicks. Once we did, most others followed. I pushed hard on the final lap and made the most of it. The Andretti crew and the No. 28 car have been strong all weekend. We’re excited to start from pole tomorrow.”
Race Day Lineup
The 35-lap Grand Prix of Alabama is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday (FS1, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).
Seventeen-year-old Evagoras Papasavvas impressed in his series debut, qualifying third in the No. 24 HMD Motorsports car with a time of 1:13.3669. He’ll share the second row with Lochie Hughes of Andretti Global, who clocked in at 1:25.4437 in the No. 26 McGinley Clinic/USF Pro Championship entry.
Rounding out the top six are Myles Rowe, fifth with a 1:13.4377 in the No. 99 Abel/Force Indy car for Abel Motorsports, and Bryce Aron, sixth with a 1:25.5923 in the No. 9 machine for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Barber Motorsports Park NXT Starting Grid
Qualifying: May 3, 2025; Race to be held: May 4, 2025
