Caio Collet Breaks Through at Road America With First Win of Season

INDYCAR
The wait finally is over for Caio Collet.
Collet passed championship leader Dennis Hauger with less than five laps remaining and drove away to win the Grand Prix of Road America on Sunday, his first INDY NXT by Firestone victory this season. Collet's No. 76 HMD Motorsports car crossed the finish line 1.7093 seconds ahead of Hauger's No. 28 Nammo car fielded by Andretti Global.
SEE: Race Results
2024 series Rookie of the Year Collet entered this event with three podium finishes in the first six races this season, including two runner-up finishes. His victory was the first this season for HMD Motorsports, as Hauger and fellow Andretti Global rookie teammate Lochie Hughes have combined to win every race.
'At the beginning of the season, we couldn't match them, to be honest,' Collet said. 'It was really frustrating. Every time we went on track, it was hard to be second or third. But we kept working hard, and we need to keep working because they are a great team with great drivers. We need to keep pushing.'
Hughes rounded out the podium finishers in the No. 26 McGinley Clinic/USF Pro Championship car after passing Josh Pierson in the No. 14 HMD Motorsports machine on the last of 20 laps around the 14-turn, 4.014-mile circuit. Pierson ended up tying his career-best finish of fourth.
Myles Rowe placed fifth in the No. 99 Abel/Force Indy car in the caution-free race.
Hauger led from the pole on an unseasonably hot day with air temperatures in the high 80s. Collet stayed close from the second starting position, keeping the gap around five- or six-tenths of a second as the duo marched away from the rest of the 19-car field.
Collet's patience expired on Lap 16. He drove alongside Hauger on the long front straightway and made an outside pass in Turn 1 stick. Collet then eased away from Hauger over the last four laps.
'I kept up the pace, kept up the pressure,' Collet said. 'Yesterday, I think I lost the pole to myself. Dennis did a phenomenal lap, but I think I left a bit in the tank and was very frustrated. Today I really wanted to give the win to the team.'
Said Hauger: 'I think we've been on the back foot compared to Collet all weekend. We did everything right today, but they were just a bit stronger. I tried to do what I could, but it just wasn't meant to be. Still a decent weekend.'
Hauger's lead over second-place Hughes grew from 19 to 28 points with his fifth podium finish of the season. Collet is third, 70 points behind Hauger.
The next race is the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio on Sunday, July 6 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. It's good track for Collet, who earned his sole previous INDY NXT victory there in July 2024.
recommended

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

3 hours ago

• Yahoo

Spurs' Stephon Castle hits 2025-26 outlook with reality check after ROY win

The post Spurs' Stephon Castle hits 2025-26 outlook with reality check after ROY win appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the 2025 NBA Draft approaching, it's easy to forget now, but leading up to last year's draft and once Stephon Castle's name was announced, it appeared as though the San Antonio Spurs may had again come away with a potential Rookie of the Year. Advertisement His quiet confidence tells you that the former UConn Husky sees it that way. His words suggest another. 'I mean, everybody in the NBA has seen that I was Rookie of the Year,' Castle observed upon receiving the award. He then added a statement that raised some eyebrows. 'Coming into next year, I can't really sneak up on anybody like I did this year.' For the Covington, Ga., native to have snuck up on opponents speaks volumes. From the moment odds makers started tracking, they had Castle winning the Rookie of the Year. 'It's definitely a blessing to be in that position,' the national champion with the Huskies added. Stephon Castle looks forward after stellar rookie season Considering only four players in San Antonio have won ROY, it stands to reason that Castle and Victor Wembanyama became the first Spurs to win it back to back. More importantly, it gives the franchise another building block as they aim to reclaim past glory. Advertisement 'I think that just speaks super highly of our front office, the guy who make the decisions,' Castle shared. 'It obviously speaks highly of me and Vic. It speaks highly of our future as well – what we have going on and what we plan on doing here pretty soon.' Though he entered with expectations, unlike Wemby, Castle didn't arrive with worldwide hype. 'I've been really going through that all year. Just being in the NBA is an accomplishment for me,' the 20-year-old guard continued. 'To be where I am today, those emotions, it's hard to hold them in. Just really embracing those moments with family. They're always around supporting. They never miss a step. They make it easy to enjoy moments like this. 'It means the world to see all the support that I get from San Antonio,' Castle added about the vast support. Stephon Castle more than lived up to expectations in rookie season In starting 47 and playing in 81 games, Castle averaged 14.7 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game. Down the final stretch of the season, he admitted Rookie of the Year was his. Advertisement 'I don't shy away from any of those moments, so just to get everybody's best shot is definitely a blessing.' ClutchPoints previously asked Castle about navigating through his first season in the NBA for the Spurs. 'When I hear expectations, I try and break through that wall no matter what it is. I'm feel like I'm super confident in myself as a player.' It's confidence that started at the NBA level the moment Spurs GM Brian Wright drafted him. 'I heard B. Wright say it all the time that he didn't even know what kind of player he was getting,' Castle continued. 'Internally, I knew who I was. That's why I stay even keel, stay humble because I feel like all the work that I put in will eventually show.' Advertisement It already has. Castle and the Spurs now prepare for year two. Related: Spurs' 10 best NBA Draft Day moves in history Related: NBA news: Chris Paul shuts down Hornets-Lakers trade conspiracy

Fox Sports

4 hours ago

• Fox Sports

Caio Collet Breaks Through at Road America With First Win of Season

INDYCAR The wait finally is over for Caio Collet. Collet passed championship leader Dennis Hauger with less than five laps remaining and drove away to win the Grand Prix of Road America on Sunday, his first INDY NXT by Firestone victory this season. Collet's No. 76 HMD Motorsports car crossed the finish line 1.7093 seconds ahead of Hauger's No. 28 Nammo car fielded by Andretti Global. SEE: Race Results 2024 series Rookie of the Year Collet entered this event with three podium finishes in the first six races this season, including two runner-up finishes. His victory was the first this season for HMD Motorsports, as Hauger and fellow Andretti Global rookie teammate Lochie Hughes have combined to win every race. 'At the beginning of the season, we couldn't match them, to be honest,' Collet said. 'It was really frustrating. Every time we went on track, it was hard to be second or third. But we kept working hard, and we need to keep working because they are a great team with great drivers. We need to keep pushing.' Hughes rounded out the podium finishers in the No. 26 McGinley Clinic/USF Pro Championship car after passing Josh Pierson in the No. 14 HMD Motorsports machine on the last of 20 laps around the 14-turn, 4.014-mile circuit. Pierson ended up tying his career-best finish of fourth. Myles Rowe placed fifth in the No. 99 Abel/Force Indy car in the caution-free race. Hauger led from the pole on an unseasonably hot day with air temperatures in the high 80s. Collet stayed close from the second starting position, keeping the gap around five- or six-tenths of a second as the duo marched away from the rest of the 19-car field. Collet's patience expired on Lap 16. He drove alongside Hauger on the long front straightway and made an outside pass in Turn 1 stick. Collet then eased away from Hauger over the last four laps. 'I kept up the pace, kept up the pressure,' Collet said. 'Yesterday, I think I lost the pole to myself. Dennis did a phenomenal lap, but I think I left a bit in the tank and was very frustrated. Today I really wanted to give the win to the team.' Said Hauger: 'I think we've been on the back foot compared to Collet all weekend. We did everything right today, but they were just a bit stronger. I tried to do what I could, but it just wasn't meant to be. Still a decent weekend.' Hauger's lead over second-place Hughes grew from 19 to 28 points with his fifth podium finish of the season. Collet is third, 70 points behind Hauger. The next race is the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio on Sunday, July 6 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. It's good track for Collet, who earned his sole previous INDY NXT victory there in July 2024. recommended

Yahoo

20 hours ago

• Yahoo

Gilbert Arenas Sends Strong Message About Caitlin Clark After Magic Johnson Debate

Gilbert Arenas Sends Strong Message About Caitlin Clark After Magic Johnson Debate originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In an era when the definition of "superstar" is fiercely debated, Magic Johnson made headlines on Friday for his remark that a superstar is strictly "someone who can go on the road and sell the building out." Advertisement His comments immediately sparked fresh discussion across the basketball world. On that same day, Gilbert Arenas joined the conversation on an episode of "Gil's Arena," naming just three players who fit that bill: Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Caitlin Clark. When pressed on whether Clark qualifies as a "mega star," Arenas didn't hesitate: "Yes... There are a few megas, but she's a mega." Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (left) signs an autograph before a game against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images After dominating college basketball at Iowa, where she finished as the NCAA's all-time leading scorer, Clark was selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA draft. Last season, she led the league in assists (8.4), scoring 19.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game en route to winning Rookie of the Year and becoming the first rookie since Candace Parker in 2008 to earn All-WNBA honors. Advertisement Now in her second season with the Fever, she's averaging 19.9 points, 8.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game, despite having played in just seven games due to injury. However, perhaps no metric better illustrates Johnson's "building sell-out" test than the crowds Clark draws. Clark's arrival in Indiana sparked a 93% surge in ticket sales compared to 2023, with the Fever emerging as the WNBA's top trending team, with ticket sales being 13 times higher than the year prior, per StubHub. Average Fever ticket prices jumped around 80%, averaging $175 for away games, well above the rest of the league, according to Axios Indianapolis. Advertisement Just earlier this month, a 19,496-seat sell-out crowd poured into the United Center when the Fever toppled the Chicago Sky on June 7, setting a franchise record for the Sky, per a report from Front Office Sports. While some argue superstar status should hinge on championships or MVP awards, Clark's market impact alone paints a compelling portrait. As Arenas put it, "The definition of superstar has nothing to do with your team's success. Superstar is you." Related: Stephanie White Breaks Silence After Missing Chicago Sky Game Related: WNBA Reacts to Caitlin Clark's Actions During Chicago Sky Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.