Hauger Battles to P15 in First Oval

Rookie driver Dennis Hauger overcomes early spin to finish 15th in NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut on oval track.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Dale Coyne Racing's Dennis Hauger completed his first ever oval race at the Good Ranchers 250 in Phoenix, Arizona, finishing 15th despite an early spin that saw him driving backwards on the track. Teammate Romain Grosjean was forced to retire early due to a mechanical issue. Hauger moved up quickly from his 22nd starting position, leading the race briefly before pitting and ultimately finishing 15th, gaining valuable experience on the oval.

Why it matters

Hauger's strong performance in his oval debut, including a stint leading the race, demonstrates his adaptability and potential as a rookie in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The race also highlighted the challenges of oval racing, with Grosjean's early retirement serving as a reminder of the unpredictability of motorsports.

The details

Starting 22nd, Hauger quickly moved up to 16th position early in the race. However, he ended up spinning out, managing to keep the car off the wall by driving it backwards on the track. After pitting under a caution, Hauger's strategy of staying out longer allowed him to briefly take the lead before pitting again. Despite the early spin, Hauger finished a respectable 15th, completing all 250 laps and gaining valuable experience on the oval.

  • Hauger qualified P22 for the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway.
  • On lap 13, Hauger spun out but kept the car off the wall by driving it backwards.
  • Hauger pitted under the lap 13 yellow, gaining extra fuel over much of the field.
  • Hauger led the race briefly on lap 98 before pitting for new tires and fuel.
  • Hauger was running as high as P10 following a caution on lap 142.

The players

Dennis Hauger

A rookie driver for Dale Coyne Racing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, making his first oval start at the Good Ranchers 250 in Phoenix.

Romain Grosjean

A veteran driver for Dale Coyne Racing, who was forced to retire early from the Good Ranchers 250 due to a mechanical issue.

Dale Coyne Racing

The IndyCar team that fields cars for both Dennis Hauger and Romain Grosjean.

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What they’re saying

“That was a crazy day. I definitely learned a lot about how to drive these on ovals. I even learned how to drive these backwards for a bit! Overall, today was good. We ran a good strategy and my pace was strong. Had more cars stayed out on the last yellow, we could have been in position for a top 10, but it wasn't meant to be. I think we can grow from this as a team and go into Arlington with some good momentum from here and St. Pete.”

— Dennis Hauger (tracksideonline.com)

“Well, I suppose there is not much to say. I went to launch off pit road and the car wouldn't go , it would just stall. I was looking forward to this race too. I think we could have moved forward just like Dennis did, but I suppose we will never know. I feel horrible for everyone. A lot of people dedicate a lot of effort and time into this for it to end before it begins. Luckily, we don't have to wait long to try again.”

— Romain Grosjean (tracksideonline.com)

What’s next

The next race for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the Arlington Grand Prix on April 5, 2026, where Hauger and Grosjean will look to build on their experiences from the Good Ranchers 250.

The takeaway

Hauger's impressive oval debut, including a stint leading the race, demonstrates his adaptability and potential as a rookie in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, while Grosjean's early retirement serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of motorsports and the importance of overcoming adversity.