Rookie Dennis Hauger and overcoming the uncomforta...

Dennis Hauger is inching nearer to feeling extra comfy working 230mph across the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

The Norwegian comes into the one hundred and tenth Working of the Indianapolis 500 as a rookie, however, regardless of qualifying a lowly twenty ninth, he set the third-fastest velocity (224.554mph) in Monday’s rain-shortened post-qualifying observe.

It’s been a trial by hearth for Hauger, the 2021 Formulation 3 champion and former Pink Bull junior, as he continues to get acclimated to ovals, with the Indy 500 serving as simply his second profession oval begin in IndyCar. The monitor self-discipline isn’t utterly unknown to him, having gained some familiarity final season en path to claiming the Indy NXT title. 

Altering consolation ranges

Even so, although, the Brickyard is an entire completely different beast, and the Dale Coyne Racing driver shared his consolation stage on a scale of 1-10.

“Truthfully it actually will depend on the session, the day,” mentioned Hauger, 23. “Qualifying, I did not actually really feel comfy. We had been actually on the restrict with the automotive.

“It was fairly free, however we stored it flat, and I really feel like I maximized that in addition to I may and skilled how a automotive is round there within the qualifying stint preventing it so long as I can keep flat, which is cool.

“I imply, out of 1 to 10, most likely, like, (Monday) was most likely, like, an eight. We nonetheless have stuff to work on for positive, but it surely’s most likely the perfect I’ve felt to date.

“Yeah, I believe it is nearly conserving it clear, as we mentioned earlier, and constructing momentum. When you have these small moments or lose some confidence within the automotive and it goes within the incorrect path, it may damage you numerous. So it is nearly chipping away.”

Bettering the setup

 Rinus VeeKay, Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet,  Dennis Hauger, Dale Coyne Racing Honda

Picture by: Penske Leisure

As for what would assist enhance his consolation, whether or not it’s merely expertise or one thing relating to rear stability and the setup of his #19 Honda, Hauger offered some perspective.

“I really feel like we have been getting a bit higher and higher on setup and stuff,” mentioned Hauger, a five-time race winner in Formulation 2. 

“This has been one of many weak tracks for Dale Coyne Racing up to now three years. I believe it is the primary time my automotive has certified within the final three or 4 years. I do not keep in mind.

“So I really feel like we’re undoubtedly within the higher spot. We all know qualifying was not good, but it surely’s a very completely different sport once you get to the race. So I really feel like we have gotten higher on setup.

“I’ve obtained extra comfy. Clearly, my first time right here. However the race day is all the time a bit completely different. I am going to simply do what I all the time do, examine exhausting to ensure I am up to the mark earlier than I get onto the monitor, and hopefully we will have a great day.”

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