Caio Collet Dominates at Laguna Seca: A Thrilling INDY NXT Race
In an exhilarating showcase of racing talent, Brazilian driver Caio Collet proved once again why he is considered one of the brightest stars in the new generation of INDYCAR drivers. During the first race of the INDY NXT weekend at the iconic Laguna Seca circuit, Collet not only secured pole position but also led the entire race, fending off intense pressure from championship leader Dennis Hauger. This victory marked Collet’s second win of the 2025 season and his third overall in the series, echoing his impressive performance earlier this year at Road America.
A Strong Start and Tactical Mastery
Collet’s performance at Laguna Seca was nothing short of masterful. After achieving pole positions in both races of the doubleheader, he took charge from the start, demonstrating his skill and composure. Throughout the 35 laps, Collet maintained his lead, skillfully navigating the twists and turns of the challenging circuit while managing tire wear, particularly on his left front tire, which began to show significant degradation as the race neared its conclusion.
"I felt great at the beginning of the race with a strong rhythm," Collet explained after the race. "However, as we got closer to the end, I started experiencing intense vibrations from the left front tire. I had to adjust the tools on the steering wheel to try to compensate, and I could see Dennis closing in on me. I was counting down the laps, hoping for the finish line to come soon."
The margin of victory was razor-thin, with Collet finishing just 0.2092 seconds ahead of Hauger, marking it as the smallest winning margin in the history of INDY NXT at Laguna Seca since the INDYCAR organization took over the series. This close finish underlined the fierce competition between the two title contenders and showcased the high stakes of the race.
A Chaotic Start
The race was notable for its chaotic beginning, characterized by an incident involving multiple cars on the first lap, which saw eight drivers caught up in a collision. Among those impacted were prominent names such as Lochie Hughes, Sebastian Murray, and James Roe, as well as Juan Manuel Correa and Max Taylor. The incident led to a four-lap yellow flag period, after which the race resumed without further interruptions.
Despite the early chaos, Collet managed to hold his lead during all subsequent restarts, demonstrating not just speed but also tactical acumen. He conserved his tires effectively while responding accurately to Hauger’s final assault in the closing laps. Hauger, the championship leader from Andretti Global, had come into the race on a streak of five consecutive pole positions and had finished in the top two in eight out of the ten races this season.
With his second-place finish and Hughes’ partial withdrawal from the race, Hauger increased his championship lead to 81 points. Collet’s victory positioned him firmly in second place, trailing Hauger by the same margin, while Hughes fell to third, now 89 points behind.
A Newcomer Shines
The standout surprise of the race was Josh Pierson, also from HMD Motorsports, who secured a podium finish in third place. After 33 races in INDY NXT, the young American finally achieved his first top-three finish and will be starting again from third position in the second race of the weekend.
Looking Ahead: The Next Race
The second race of the doubleheader weekend is scheduled for Sunday, July 27, at 2 PM local time, with live coverage available on ComBrasilTV, ESPN4, and Disney+. Collet will again be on pole, with Hauger alongside him on the front row, promising another thrilling competition for fans.
Official Results of Race 1 at INDY NXT by Firestone GP of Monterey
The official results of the first race held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on July 26, 2025, reflect Collet’s dominant performance. The race consisted of 35 laps, with Collet leading every single one of them.
- Circuit Length: 2.238 miles
- Total Laps: 35
- Average Race Speed: 100.026 mph
- Total Race Time: 46:59.1542
- Caution Laps: 4
- Lead Changes: 0
| Position | Car No. | Driver Name | Chassis/Engine/Tire | Time | Speed | Session |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 76 | Caio Collet | D/ /F | 46:59.1542 | 100.026 | Race |
| 2 | 28 | Dennis Hauger (R) | D/ /F | +0.2092 | 100.018 | Race |
| 3 | 314 | Josh Pierson | D/ /F | +4.619 | 99.862 | Race |
| 4 | 499 | Myles Rowe | D/ /F | +13.509 | 99.549 | Race |
| 5 | 517 | Callum Hedge | D/ /F | +17.627 | 99.404 | Race |
| 6 | 626 | Lochie Hughes (R) | D/ /F | +21.799 | 99.258 | Race |
| 7 | 740 | Jack William Miller | D/ /F | +35.303 | 98.789 | Race |
| 8 | 830 | Liam Sceats (R) | D/ /F | +35.471 | 98.783 | Race |
| 9 | 911 | Nolan Allaer | D/ /F | +39.135 | 98.656 | Race |
| 10 | 109 | Bryce Aron | D/ /F | +44.210 | 98.481 | Race |
| 11 | 110 | Niels Koolen | D/ /F | +44.357 | 98.476 | Race |
| 12 | 238 | Hailie Deegan (R) | D/ /F | +1:15.580 | 97.414 | Race |
| 13 | 316 | Tommy Smith (R) | D/ /F | +1 lap | 97.951 | Race |
| 14 | 429 | James Roe | D/ /F | +1 lap | 95.610 | Race |
| 15 | 539 | Juan Manuel Correa | D/ /F | +1 lap | 95.537 | Race |
| 16 | 618 | Max Taylor (R) | D/ /F | +3 laps | 90.208 | Race |
| 17 | 172 | Sebastian Murray (R) | D/ /F | +14 laps | 93.818 | Race |
| 18 | 848 | Jordan Missig | D/ /F | +35 laps | 0.000 | Contact |
| 19 | 927 | Salvador de Alba | D/ /F | +35 laps | 0.000 | Contact |
Additional Notes and Incidents
The race witnessed a total of four laps under the yellow flag due to the multi-car incident involving cars 2, 28, 27, and 48. A penalty was applied to car 39 (Correa) for avoidable contact on lap 6, resulting in a drive-through penalty.
The fastest lap of the race was set by Dennis Hauger, clocking in at 74.9653 seconds (107.474 mph) on lap 12, while Collet recorded the fastest lap of the leaders at 75.0468 seconds (107.357 mph) on lap 13. Collet’s impressive performance of leading all 35 laps solidifies his status as a formidable competitor in the INDY NXT series.
As the season progresses, the championship race remains wide open, with only four races left to determine the ultimate winner. The excitement continues to build as fans and teams prepare for the next thrilling encounter on the track.
