As we wrap up the IndyCar season, we should go over the three Road to Indy series and who shined in 2025. There was some good competition in the lower divisions, and a few drivers turned some heads. A number of drivers are ready for a move to the next level. Some guys should stay but have great promise.
In Indy Lights, 15 drivers competed in every race, and it felt like one of the more compeittive seasons we have seen in Indy Lights. The top five in the championship all won a race, and though the championship was clinched early, many drivers stood out and showed they may have futures in IndyCar.
Indy Lights
Dennis Hauger: #28 Rental Group Dallara (1st, 599 points)
What did I write before the season: Hauger is the man to beat. He was second quickest at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test at the IMS road course last October. He was leading the way at the Sebring test last month. If you are winning in Formula Two and were a Formula Three champion that was once a Red Bull development driver, you are going to do fine in Indy Lights. Ovals will be new, but Hauger is with Andretti. He can trust the cars. This is the man to beat and Hauger could be a hot commodity for IndyCar in 2026.
How wrong was it: Hauger won the championship with six race victories and 11 podium finishes in 14 aces. He won four of the first five races. Though he did not win an oval race, he never finished worse than fifth on an oval and he had three podium finishes on ovals. Hauger clinched the championship with a race to spare.
What should he do in 2025: IndyCar, and it sounds like it is inevitable. Hauger has been rumored to be heading to Dale Coyne Racing while remaining on the books with Andretti Global. He was probably ready for IndyCar this year considering his Formula Two experience. He is ready for the next level.
Caio Collet: #76 Cyclum NextGen Travel Centers Dallara (2nd, 527 points)
What did I write before the season: The best returning driver from 2024 should be a championship challenger. Collet will have the advantage of track knowledge over Hauger. Collet will win more and have a greater say in the title fight.
How wrong was it: Collet did win more as he won three times after winning once in 2024. Though he had the advantage of experience, it never really made a difference over Hauger. Collet had 12 top five finishes this season.
What should he do in 2025: Collet's name has been floated for an IndyCar seat. He will turn 24 years old early next year. I think he is ready. There is not much else to gain in Indy Lights. It wouldn't hurt him to stay one more year. His biggest hurdle is where can he find a seat? If he cannot get a full-time IndyCar ride, another year in Indy Lights could be a good holdover.
Lochie Hughes: #26 USF Pro Championships/The McGinley Clinic Dallara (3rd, 466 points)
What did I write before the season: Hughes showed good times across the board in testing throughout the offseason. His biggest issue is he is likely isn't even the best driver in the Andretti organization. Hughes will be competitive and win races. It will require precision to win the championship. Championship top five feels likely.
How wrong was it: Hughes scored two victories and he started the season with eight consecutive top five finishes. He ended the season with only two top five finishes in the final six races. It was a good season and he was the third best driver this season.
What should he do in 2025: Stay put. He will be one of the championship favorites. There are not going to be enough openings in IndyCar to make a move. Another year will be a good thing.
Myles Rowe: #99 Force Indy Dallara (4th, 458 points)
What did I write before the season: Rowe had a good season going in the first half of 2024, and then he could not catch a break between mechanical issues and being caught in accidents not of his making. The misfortunate should not follow him. That alone should put Rowe in the championship top ten. He was quick in testing. If that translate into the season, he can push for the championship top five and win a race or two. Sneaky championship contender.
How wrong was it: Rowe had much better consistency, and he won twice at Iowa and Nashville. He had ten top five finishes. He was fourth in the championship with breathing room to fifth. He only had one result outside the top ten.
What should he do in 2025: It has already been announced Rowe will continue in the Force Indy entry with Abel Motorsports. He could make another step in Indy Lights and further his development. I don't know if the window is open that Rowe could be an Indianapolis 500 one-off next year. He was strong on the ovals in 2025.
Salvador de Alba: #27 Grupo Indi Dallara (5th, 418 points)
What did I write before the season: Andretti should have a good group this year and there is a chance all four drivers will win. De Alba should be good but might not be good as a few of his teammates. He and Hughes could be close to one another in the middle of the championship top ten.
How wrong was it: Two spots were between Hughes and de Alba in the championship with 48 points separating them. De Alba won the penultimate race at Milwaukee. He didn't get on the podium until the ninth race at Iowa.
What should he do in 2025: There is no reason for de Alba to get to IndyCar. He is 25 years old, which means a clock is ticking. If he returns, sights should be on 2027 for an IndyCar ride.
Josh Pierson: #14 HMD Motorsports Dallara (6th, 378 points)
What did I write before the season: Considering the lack of improvement from his first and second years in Indy Lights, Pierson needs to get a little bit better now that he is 19 years old. He should sneak into the top ten of the championship.
How wrong was it: Pierson did much better than that and he was sixth in the championship. He got on the podium in both Laguna Seca races. He ended on a down note with three finishes of ninth or worse.
What should he do in 2025: Pierson will only be 20 years old at the start of next season. It would be his third full season in Indy Lights. He should stay. However, with Pierson's record, he could be off to sports cars if he thinks he has maxed out in single-seater racing.
Callum Hedge: #17 Abel Motorsports Dallara (7th, 358 points)
What did I write before the season: Hedge has shown great speed, and he should be penciled into the championship battle. Hedge should win a few races and produce better results than his first year in IndyCar.
How wrong was it: Hedge could not break into the top group of Indy Lights and he had only one podium finish, a third in the second Laguna Seca race. It was a slight regression but he still had strong days.
What should he do in 2025: Stay in Indy Lights. I still think Hedge has promise. Let's call 2025 a sophomore slump. A third year could be a good chance to work through some of the ills. We will need to see upward movement though if he returns.
Niels Koolen: #10 Super B Dallara (8th, 288 points)
What did I write before the season: Koolen has been unspectacular in his first three seasons in car racing. Don't anticipate that changing in year four.
How wrong was it: Surprisingly, Koolen ended up eighth in the championship with Chip Ganassi Racing. His best finish was fifth at Iowa.
What should he do in 2025: This feels like a fluke. Koolen was better, but it didn't feel like he was a threat. I don't know if Koolen will be back. I was surprised he landed at Chip Ganassi Racing for its return to Indy Lights. If the check clears, they mind as well keep him.
Jordan Missig: #48 Nexus Towing Dallara (9th, 273 points)
What did I write before the season: Missig hasn't had great seasons in the Road to Indy. I don't think he will be in the championship top ten, but he should have a few top ten finishes.
How wrong was it: Missig ended up in the top ten of the championship, and his season started strong with a sixth at St. Petersburg. However, he did not get back into the top ten until Mid-Oho. He did have five top ten finishes in the final seven races.
What should he do in 2025: Missig turns 28 years old next March. I feel like a move elsewhere could be coming.
Jack William Miller: #40 Patterson Dental Haven Go by SAAM Dallara (10th, 266 points)
What did I write before the season: More of the same. Many finishes between 12th and 15th.
How wrong was it: Miller had three finishes between 12th and 15th. While he had six finishes in the top ten, he also had four finishes outside the top fifteen. His best finish was seventh, which happened four times.
What should he do in 2025: Miller has completed seven seasons in the Road to Indy. He has yet to win in any of the three junior series. He will turn 23 years old in the middle of next year. If the family wants to keep racing, ok.
Bryce Aron: #9 Jaguar Land Rover Chesterfield Dallara (11th, 260 points)
What did I write before the season: About the same. The grid is tight and Aron is going to a crowded HMD ship. There is a chance he falls out of the championship top ten.
How wrong was it: Aron dropped out of the top ten and was 11th in the championship. He moved after the first round from HMD to Chip Ganassi Racing and took over the #9 entry from Jonathan Browne. He struggled for pace until late in the season.
What should he do in 2025: Another year in Indy Lights. It would be good to see him start and finish a season with one team.
James Roe, Jr.: #29 TopCon Dallara (12th, 235 points)
What did I write before the season: Roe, Jr. performed above expectations last year. All the Andretti cars were consistently around the top ten. Roe looks set to be in the back half of the top ten again with a few sparkling days.
How wrong was it: Roe, Jr. fell to 12th in the championship. He only had four top ten finishes with his best finish being seventh at Iowa.
What should he do in 2025: This was essentially Roe, Jr.'s fourth season in Indy Lights. He turns 27 years old in a month. Sports cars might be where he should start looking.
Sebastian Murray: #2 Dream Racing Dubai Dallara (13th, 230 points)
What did I write before the season: No expectations. Everything will be new for Murray. If he wasn't great in GB3, he isn't going to be great in Indy Lights.
How wrong was it: Murray was 13th in the championship. His only top five finish was fifth in the second Laguna Seca race. His only other top ten finish was sixth at Detroit.
What should he do in 2025: I am not sure Murray should have been in Indy Lights this year. He isn't going to take a step back. He could decide to look for competition across the pond.
Haillie Deegan: #38 Monster Energy Dallara (14th, 202 points)
What did I write before the season: Deegan is making a big jump from NASCAR to Indy Lights with essentially no open-wheel experience. She has been at the bottom of every test, but her times were improving. This is going to be a learning year. Any top ten results will likely come down to strategy or attrition around her.
How wrong was it: There were no top ten results for Deegen. She had five top fifteen finishes, her best day of 11th came in a race of high attrition at Laguna Seca.
What should she do in 2025: It doesn't feel like she will be back in Indy Lights. It isn't a 0% chance but it is pretty low. I don't know where else she can go. She did well in her few Michelin Pilot Challenge starts.
Tommy Smith: #16 Shell Dallara (15th, 202 points)
What did I write before the season: Many days at the back. That is where Smith has been in testing.
How wrong was it: Smith had not finishes in the top ten. His bet result was 12th on two occasions.
What should he do in 2025: I want to know how a driver of this caliber had Shell sponsorship. If Smith left, you probably would not realize he was gone.
The Rest of the Field
Nolan Allaer missed a race, and he was 16th in the championship with 192 points.
Juan Manuel Correa ran nine races with his best finish being third at Detroit. It was his only top five finish as he scored 162 points.
Liam Sceats and Ricardo Escotto each had their seasons cut short.
Max Taylor's best finish was fourth at Laguna Seca in his part-time season.
Evagoras Papasavvas was second on debut at Barber Motorsports Park, but could not finish better than ninth in his final four starts.
Who should we have seen more of?
Michael d'Orlando returned for the final three races. He was seventh and eighth at Portland and Milwaukee respectively. D'Orlando was also running well at Nashville before contact with Hedge led to a penalty and relegated d'Orlando to 14th. I wish he got a full opportunity. He could be a top ten championship drive and maybe a top five challenger.
USF Pro 2000
Max Garcia: #18 Advance Auto Parts/Bell/OMP/Starling Design Tatuus (1st, 495 points)
What did I write before the season: Garcia will be at the front and be a championship threat. He is with the right team. Pabst will put him in a good spot. His consistency can carry over to the next level.
How wrong was it: Garcia won nine of 18 races, and he finished in the top four in 17 races. The championship was under his control from early on.
What should he do in 2025: Garcia is ready for Indy Lights though he will only be 16 years old when he makes his debut. That is where he should be. It is lining up where he could be Indy Lights champion in 2026 and be 17 years old when the 2027 season begins. He doesn't need to get to IndyCar by the time he is 18 years old, but he mind as well be in Indy Lights and start his next phase of development.
Ariel Elkin: #27 Zero Network/Swift Garage Tatuus (2nd, 347 points)
What did I write before the season: Elkin was in the top ten in testing. He is jumping right from USF Juniors into USF Pro 2000. The championship top ten looks likely.
How wrong was it: Elkin did a little better than expected as he won three races in the first nine events. Results were a little choppy down the stretch.
What should he do in 2025: It makes sense to go to Indy Lights. I don't think he will stay at USF Pro 2000, but he could. He is only 18 years old. He could get a championship and ride that momentum into the next level.
Mac Clark: #90 Corpay Cross-Border Solution/Cubine Tatuus (3rd, 346 points)
What did I write before the season: Better than last year. Clark looked good in testing and could be a championship contender. He should at least be pushing for the championship top five.
How wrong was it: Clark did not win a race, but he had 11 podium finishes. He was nearly second in the championship. A 12th in the final race at Portland cost him a spot in the championship.
What should he do in 2025: Clark did not win a race in two full seasons in USF Pro 2000, but he is ready for the next level. I don't know if the victories will come at that level, but he is ready for it.
Alessandro de Tullio: #44 DTI Group/Sport Summa/InterMS Tatuus (4th, 342 points)
What did I write before the season: De Tullio likely surprised a lot of people leading the NOLA test, and he had good speed at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test. It is an unknown with de Tullio if this can last over a full season. At the moment, he appears to be an early contender.
How wrong was it: De Tullio continued to be a surprise as he won three of the first four races. Unfortunately, he ran into a prolonged rough patch and could not match Garcia's output. De Tullio did win late at Toronto.
What should he do in 2025: Staying in USF Pro 2000 could allow him to develop without trying to learn a new car. There is work that can be done at this level.
Jacob Douglas: #19 DouglasFay Group/Fleet Cost & Care Tatuus (5th, 329 points)
What did I write before the season: It stunk Douglas was out for the 2024 season. His test results are encouraging. He should be in the conversation for the championship top five.
How wrong was it: Douglas did get into the championship top five, and he won at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course for a memorable moment.
What should he do in 2025: Knowing that Douglas essentially missed a season due to funding issues, the pressure will be on to get to Indy Lights. He could make the move, but I don't know how good the quality of ride will be.
Max Taylor: #88 PINK/Susan G. Komen Foundation/Unicorn Tatuus (6th, 268 points)
What did I write before the season: It will be interesting to see if Taylor's Indy Lights gig will be a distraction. Taylor wasn't blindingly quick at the NOLA test, but that was cut short a day due to weather. He should be competitive and competing for victories while possibly being a championship contender.
How wrong was it: Taylor did not quite match his U.S. F2000 results, but he did win at Road America. He was streaky all season. I don't know if Indy Lights split his focus too much, but he was not pushing Garcia like we saw in 2024.
What should he do in 2025: He already had a foot in Indy Lights. He turns 18 years old on October 1. I think he will be in Indy Lights.
Michael Costello: #20 Proguard Automotive/EDA Eyewear Tatuus (7th, 211 points)
What did I write before the season: All three Pabst drivers are going to have good years. They cannot all be champion. They likely will not go 1-2-3. They should all be in the championship top ten. Costello will likely be third of the three, but should still have impressive days.
How wrong was it: Costello was third of the three Pabst drivers, but he was seventh in the championship. He only had two podium finishes and he had only one other top five finish after that. The results were not as flashy as you would hope.
What should he do in 2025: Stay in USF Pro 2000. He was good but he can work on becoming great.
Frankie Mossman: #84 Ethika/Jaxxon/Ivy Day Spa/Arai Americas Tatuus (8th, 203 points)
What did I write before the season: Mossman was good in testing. There are about eight drivers that are fringe top ten championship drivers.
How wrong was it: Mossman did get into the top ten of the championship. He had four top five finishes in the final five races, including two podium finishes. He did switch from Jay Howard Driver Development to Velocity Racing Development mid-season and sadly missed a race at Indianapolis Raceway Park. If he had run at IRP, Mossman could have been seventh in the championship.
What should he do in 2025: Mossman was eighth last year in the championship as well. A third year could see him do better.
Cooper Becklin: #2 Helmet House Tatuus (9th, 197 points)
What did I write before the season: Expectations are low. I don't think Becklin will crack the championship top ten.
How wrong was it: Becklin cracked the top ten and he was ninth on 197 points. He was second in the third IMS road course race. It was his only finish inside the top five.
What should he do in 2025: Stay in USF Pro 2000.
Nicholas Monteiro: #9 Unique/Caye International Bank/Collection Suites Tatuus (10th, 185 points)
What did I write before the season: About the same as last year. Mostly outside the top ten and benefitting if other drivers pull out of the championship early.
How wrong was it: Monteiro had nine top ten finishes in 16 starts. He finished either sixth or seventh in eight of those races. He took tenth by three points over Joey Brienza. Monteiro ran the Indy Lights race at Portland instead of the final doubleheader of USF Pro 2000 season. If he had run the final round at Portland in USF Pro 200, Monteiro probably would have been ninth in the championships and could have gotten eighth.
What should he do in 2025: I don't think Monteiro should move up, but let's not be surprised if that happens.
The Rest of the Field
We know about Brienza. Sebastian Manson was 12th on 152 points.
Jace Denmark's seasons ended after nine races. His best finish was fourth and he had six top ten finishes.
Liam McNeilly ran the Toronto round and he finished fifth and fourth in those races.
Who should we have seen more of?
We will have more on McNeilly in a moment, but the answer is McNeilly.
I wish Denmark remained for the rest of the season. His results took a dip as he moved to TJ Speed Motorsports after finishing third in the 2024 championship with Pabst Racing. I hate to think his career could be over after showing good signs of development and talent.
U.S. F2000
Jack Jeffers: #92 Corpay Cross-Border Solutions Tatuus (1st, 438 points)
What did I write before the season: Jeffers will be in the championship discussion. He will win a few races. It should not be a surprise if we see a fair number of races with Jeffers and McNeilly going toe-to-toe.
How wrong was it: Jeffers won the championship and ended with five victories in the final eight races, and he never finished worse than second in the final eight races. We only saw five races with Jeffers against McNeilly. McNeilly won all five while Jeffers was running up in the first three races of the season.
What should he do in 2025: Move up to USF Pro 2000. Even though McNeilly wasn't there, Jeffers was the most consistent driver this season. He is ready for the next challenge.
Teddy Musella: #25 Triari Competizione/Don't Sleep Energy Drink Tatuus (2nd, 371 points)
What did I write before the season: Some top ten finishes, but possibly better. Musella might not be in the top tier, but second tier of drivers.
How wrong was it: Musella was second in the championship. He won two races and took second on the final day of the season with his victory. He had nine podium finishes, and he ended with ten consecutive top five finishes.
What should he do in 2025: Musella is only 16 years old, but he could move up to USF Pro 2000 and do well. Another year in U.S. F2000 would not hurt him though.
Thomas Schrage: #2 Doug Mockett & Company/Airport Electric Tatuus (3rd, 370 points)
What did I write before the season: Scrhage's testing results did not quite lineup with what we saw last year. He could improve into the championship top ten.
How wrong was it: Schrage went from 12th in the championship after missing three races to third in the championship with three victories and 11 podium finishes.
What should he do in 2025: Schrage turns 21 years old in January. His hand is kind of forced and he should move up to USF Pro 2000.
G3 Argyros: #23 Positive Beverage/Elephant Cooperation Tatuus (4th, 289 points)
What did I write before the season: Argyros ended 2024 was a surprise victory. I don't think he will be winning regularly, but he should be good enough for the championship top ten.
How wrong was it: Argyros did not win a race, but he did have four podium finishes and ten top five finishes. It got him in the top five of the championship.
What should he do in 2025: Argyros just turned 16 years old. He can spent another year in U.S. F2000.
Caleb Gafrarar: #24 Circle K/Bell/Racing Electronics/Molecule Tatuus (5th, 288 points)
What did I write before the season: There is a chance Gafrarar will be better than Argyros. He will have some top five finishes, possibly get on the podium. He showed pace that could be good enough for winning races.
How wrong was it: Gafrarar and Argyros was practically even with only a point between them. Gafrarar won at Mid-Ohio. He had four podium finishes. He had ying-and-yang weekends to start the season that cost him points.
What should he do in 2025: Stay in U.S. F2000. He and Argyros are quite similar. They are at the same level of development.
Evan Cooley: #90 Brown Brothers Harriman Tatuus (6th, 234 points)
What did I write before the season: Cooley looked good in testing and he looked good last year in his few starts. He should be in the championship top ten with a good chance at the top five.
How wrong was it: Cooley didn't quite come close to the championship top five. He did have two podium finishes, but he was outside the top ten in six of 18 starts.
What should he do in 2025: Another year in U.S. F2000 would be wise, but I think Cooley could move up to USF Pro 2000 and run respectably.
Anthony Martella: #9 NIN Transport/VPS Service Tatuus (7th, 220 points)
What did I write before the season: Martella should get some top ten finishes. There could be days where he is breaking into the top five.
How wrong was it: Martella had nine top ten finishes, and he won at Indianapolis Raceway Park. he also had a fifth at Portland.
What should he do in 2025: Martella is about to two 17 years old in just under two weeks. He can stay in U.S. F2000 and continue to develop.
Sebastian Garzón: #12 Lucas Oil School of Racing Tatuus (8th, 217 points)
What did I write before the season: For a driver stepping into car racing for the first time, Garzón looked impressive in testing. He will be learning though. If he has good results, he should be happy, but he will likely have a few tough days that are not the end of the world.
How wrong was it: Garzón had one top five finish in the first 15 races, and then he ended with three consecutive top five finishes with a third in the final race of the season. It got him a top ten championship finish.
What should he do in 2025: Garzón doesn't turn 16 years old until November 4. If he returns to U.S. F2000, he will be a championship contender.
Lucas Fecury: #91 Grupo São Paulo/Allma Management Tatuus (9th, 203 points)
What did I write before the season: Fringe of the championship top ten.
How wrong was it: Fecury was ninth in the championship. He had four top five finishes, and after starting with only two top ten finishes in the first eight races, he had eight top ten finishes in final ten races.
What should he do in 2025: Fecury is 22 years old. He is a bit of a late-comer to motorsports. At his age, he almost has to move up and see how it goes in USF Pro 2000.
Eddie Beswick: #30 Synergy Motorsport Tatuus (10th, 195 points)
What did I write before the season: Beswick is moving to a new country. Everything will be new. He is going to be learning in every session.
How wrong was it: Despite learning, Beswck got tenth in the championship. He had 11 top ten finishes with his best finish being second in the first Toronto race.
What should he do in 2025: This was a big move at 20 years old. Beswick should spend another season. Being in U.S. F2000 at 21 years old isn't regular, but I don't think moving up to USF Pro 2000 will accelerate his development.
The Rest of the Field
Christian Cameron was 11th on 181 points.
Brad Majman had a third at Indianapolis Raceway Park before missing the Road America and Mid-Ohio rounds. He had three top five finishes in the final five races to end up 12th on 171 points.
Jeshua Alianell was third in the first race of the season at St. Petersburg, and then Alianell did not finish in the top five the rest of the season. He was a point behind Majman.
Liam McNeilly won the first five races of the season and then visa issues prevented him from re-entering the United States ahead of the round from the IMS road course. McNeilly's 163 points were still good enough for 14th in the championship.
Who should we have seen more of?
If McNeilly runs the full season, he is probably champion and by a comfortable margin over Jeffers. He stepped into USF Pro 2000 for the Toronto round, and he looked comfortable in the top five despite over three months since his last race. McNeilly is ready for the next level. It would be the best of everyone if he gets his permits worked out and can return to competing full-time in the United States.
