IndyCar Series Teams Prepare for October Testing Schedule
As the IndyCar Series approaches the off-season, teams will engage in private testing sessions at multiple venues throughout October, beginning with a significant outing at Mid-Ohio next week.
The highlight of the Mid-Ohio test will be the debut of Dennis Hauger, the newly crowned Indy NXT champion, who steps into the cockpit for Dale Coyne Racing. Team Penske is also expected to utilize this opportunity, evaluating Felipe Nasr, a factory driver for Porsche Penske Motorsport. Nasr, a former Formula 1 competitor and reigning IMSA GTP champion, has consistently been a strong candidate for IndyCar’s top teams, should he choose to enter the driver market.
AJ Foyt Racing will be conducting its own evaluation day at Mid-Ohio featuring Caio Collet, the Indy NXT runner-up. After finishing third in his debut season and second in the subsequent year, a successful outing at this test could pave the way for Collet’s future with Foyt in 2026.
While Coyne, Penske, and Foyt will participate at Mid-Ohio, Juncos Hollinger Racing has opted out, despite earlier plans to have Argentinian driver Nico Varrone behind the wheel.
Following the Mid-Ohio test, several teams are slated to take to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on October 13. Notable participants include Mick Schumacher, driving for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and Lochie Hughes, who is expected to undergo testing for Andretti Global after placing third in Indy NXT.
Arrow McLaren will round off the month with a test on Sebring International Raceway’s short course, featuring Enzo Fittipaldi, who previously completed an evaluation day with the team. Fittipaldi, who has experience in Formula 2 and currently competes in the European Le Mans Series, is projected to shift to Indy NXT with HMD Motorsports next year, marking an important step in his racing career.
