Photo credit: Travis Hinkle | Penske Entertainment

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Dennis Hauger became the first driver from Norway to win an Indy NXT race on Sunday afternoon when he took the checkered flag after leading all 44 laps on the Streets of St. Petersburg.

For Andretti’s Hauger, it was his first race competing in America after a storied career which involved winning the FIA Formula 3 championship and winning numerous FIA Formula 2 races, many of which occurred on street courses. Hauger has won at Macau, Baku, Jeddah and Monaco—and now he can add St. Petersburg to that list.

“We had a few safety cars and restarts but managed it well,” Hauger said. “Super happy to end the week.”

Hauger became the first driver from Norway to take the top step of the Indy NXT podium. The last Norwegian driver to compete regularly in the series was when Anders Krohn finished seventh in the standings in 2011.

Smiling ear-to-ear after the race, Hauger spoke to the pride of having achieved the milestone of being the first from his country to win in the series.

“It’s super cool just seeing the interest back home in Norway and the support I get all around is such a big thing for me,” Hauger said. “It’s so cool to see.”

For the first time, fans from Hauger’s home country will be able to watch Indy NXT races live on ViaPlay, who is carrying the series across the Nordic countries.

The fans were given a treat for their first race, seeing their home driver take the checkered flag.

“I can really see the profesionalism within (the team) and the work they put in for us,” Hauger said. “The Andretti Rental Group Dallara car and crew did a really good job this weekend, and I’m so happy for us.”