Dennis Hauger picked a bad time for his worst INDY NXT by Firestone race weekend, while Caio Collet delivered under pressure July 26-27 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Hauger crashed in both Friday’s practice session and Sunday’s second 35-lap race of the doubleheader, finishing 16th. In contrast, Collet doubled his career win total with a dominant weekend sweep. He was fastest in Friday’s practice, earned pole position for both races, and led all 35 laps on both Saturday (July 26) and Sunday (July 27) to take the victories.

As a result, Hauger’s once-comfortable points lead shrank from 76 to 42 heading into the final three-race stretch: Portland International Raceway (Aug. 10), Milwaukee Mile (Aug. 24) and Nashville Superspeedway (Aug. 31).

Could the two remaining oval events at Milwaukee and Nashville be what Collet needs to close the gap?

Or will they play into Hauger’s hands?

Entering 2025, ovals were considered a wildcard for Hauger. With no prior oval experience before moving to the U.S. this offseason, circle tracks were seen as a potential stumbling block. Instead, Hauger has turned them into a strength. He’s started on pole in both oval races and led a combined 64 laps. While he’s yet to win on an oval, he’s proven he can adapt quickly and contend.

But momentum has stalled. After winning four of the first five races, Hauger has just one win in the last six.

Meanwhile, Collet is surging. Over that same stretch, he’s averaged a second-place finish and is putting real pressure on Hauger. The next round at Portland, a natural road course, may offer Hauger a chance to rebound.

In five starts across Barber Motorsports Park, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course (doubleheader), Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Road America, Hauger has taken three wins and a runner-up finish.

Collet, however, is equally strong on these circuits. All four of his career wins have come on natural road courses. His first victory came at Mid-Ohio in last year’s Rookie of the Year season, followed by victories at Road America and back-to-back triumphs at Laguna Seca this season.

There’s every reason to believe this championship fight is far from over. Collet could become the third consecutive second-year driver to win the title, following Christian Rasmussen (HMD Motorsports, 2023) and Louis Foster (Andretti Global, 2024).

Heading into the final stretch, the championship is once again shaping up as HMD Motorsports vs. Andretti Global. Collet looks to chase down Hauger for the title, while also fending off Hauger’s rookie Andretti teammate, Lochie Hughes, who's aiming for second place in the standings.

A potential wild card in this equation is Myles Rowe.

He’s fourth in the standings, 127 points behind Hauger, which may be too far out for a title bid. But his performance could still shape the outcome.

Rowe earned his maiden INDY NXT win July 13 at Iowa Speedway. In the two oval races this season, he’s finished second and first, respectively. With two more ovals on the calendar, he could factor into the battle between Hauger and Collet by splitting points or stealing wins.

And beyond the title, another question looms: does Rowe need at least one more win to earn a promotion to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for 2026?

Rowe began his open-wheel journey through Penske Entertainment’s Race for Equality & Change initiative in 2021. That year, he became the first Black driver to win in the USF2000 series. He finished second in points in 2022, then made history in 2023 by becoming the first Black driver to win a North American open-wheel title with his USF Pro 2000 championship — earning him a scholarship to move up to INDY NXT.

After finishing 11th in INDY NXT last season, Rowe has taken a significant step forward in 2025, becoming the first Black driver to win in the series and compiling an impressive record: four podium finishes, eight top-fives and nine top-10s in 11 starts.

Is that résumé strong enough to secure a seat in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES?

And who else from this crop of young stars is ready to move up?

Hauger is gaining attention. Collet has proven he belongs, though a championship -- and its accompanying career-enhancement package – would boost his chances. Can Hughes or Rowe deliver a strong final push to make their case?

Last year, three INDY NXT drivers, Foster, Jacob Abel and Nolan Siegel, graduated to full-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES rides.

Will history repeat itself?