Dennis Hauger’s Shock IndyCar Move Has Triggered a Bigger 2027 Driver Shake-Up
IndyCar’s Rookie of the Year leaves Dale Coyne for AJ Foyt Racing’s No. 14, and Santino Ferrucci is out. Here’s how one signing fits into a chain of moves that started with Scott Dixon leaving Ganassi, and which seats are still open for 2027.
Hauger to Foyt: The 2027 Shake-Up Explained
Rookie of the Year to No. 14, Ferrucci out, and the seats still open.
In August, Santino Ferrucci looked set to stay at AJ Foyt Racing for 2027. By mid-September he was out. On 16 September, Foyt announced that Dennis Hauger, the 23-year-old Norwegian who won IndyCar’s 2026 Rookie of the Year award with Dale Coyne Racing, had signed a multiyear deal to drive the team’s No. 14 Chevrolet from 2027.
On its own, it’s a significant signing for one of IndyCar’s most famous teams. But it’s also the latest move in one of the busiest driver markets IndyCar has seen in years, one that started when Scott Dixon announced he was leaving Chip Ganassi Racing after 25 years. Hauger’s move has freed a seat at Dale Coyne, pushed an experienced driver onto the market, and left fewer options for the drivers still looking. Below we explain the move, who Hauger is, and how the chain of changes fits together. For the full story of how the market started, see our IndyCar 2027 silly season guide.
The Move: Hauger Signs for Foyt
Foyt confirmed Hauger on a multiyear agreement to drive the No. 14 Chevrolet, the team’s historic number, with Homes For Our Troops as primary sponsor and backing from Hendricks Holding Company. The car has technical support from Team Penske through Foyt’s alliance with the team. His first official appearance for Foyt is on 2 October at a sponsor event in Warren, Michigan.
Hauger sounded like a driver who’d been sold on a plan, not just a seat. “I’m really excited about it. Larry and I have had some very good conversations about the team and where they want to go,” he said. “This team has so much history in this sport, but what intrigues me even more was hearing about the future and what they’re building now. I want to work hard with everyone there and see how far we can take it.”
Team president Larry Foyt was just as clear about why he chose Hauger: “Dennis has accomplished a lot for someone who is only 23. Every time he’s moved into something new, he’s adapted quickly and he’s won.” He also framed the signing as part of a wider push: “We’re investing in our people, our technical side and our commercial program because we want to continue moving forward. Dennis is a big part of that plan… Dennis wants to win, and we want to win. That’s where everything starts.”
No. 14 is the number most closely associated with AJ Foyt himself, the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner and record seven-time champion. Handing it to a 23-year-old on a multiyear deal is a statement of how highly the team rates Hauger.
Who Is Dennis Hauger?
Hauger arrived in IndyCar with a CV that looks more like an F1 prospect’s, because for years that’s what he was. Born in Norway in March 2003, he joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2017 and won titles at nearly every level on the way up:
| Year | Series | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Italian F4 | Champion TITLE |
| 2021 | FIA Formula 3 | Champion TITLE |
| 2022–24 | FIA Formula 2 | Three seasons (Prema, then MP Motorsport); race winner |
| 2025 | Indy NXT (Andretti Global) | Champion, with six race wins TITLE |
| 2026 | IndyCar (Dale Coyne Racing) | Rookie of the Year ROTY |
| 2027 | IndyCar (AJ Foyt Racing) | No. 14 Chevrolet, multiyear deal |
His route to IndyCar is one that more European drivers are taking. When the path to Formula 1 stalled after three seasons in Formula 2, he switched to America rather than waiting. He won Indy NXT at the first attempt in 2025, then took the top rookie award in IndyCar in 2026, in a Dale Coyne car that isn’t normally a front-runner.
That’s the key to why Foyt moved so quickly. As Larry Foyt put it, “every time he’s moved into something new, he’s adapted quickly and he’s won.” A driver who beat the other rookies in midfield machinery, and now moves to a team with Penske technical support, has a clear chance to take a step forward in 2027.
Ferrucci Out: Why Foyt Changed Course
The “shock” part of the story is really about Santino Ferrucci. He was Foyt’s lead driver and, according to RACER, rumours of his departure in July seemed to have faded by August, when he appeared to be heading for a contract extension. Then the talks with Hauger picked up speed, and Foyt decided to start again.
Results were the reason. Ferrucci finished ninth in the 2024 championship, a strong result for Foyt. In 2026 he dropped to 17th, and the team and its sponsors wanted a fresh start. RACER reports that full-time options for Ferrucci may be limited, although he’s still likely to be in demand for Indianapolis 500 rides, given his strong record at the Speedway.
In August, Ferrucci’s future looked settled. A month later, his seat belonged to the series’ top rookie. In a crowded market, that’s how quickly it can change.
Foyt’s second car is less clear. RACER reported that 20-year-old Indy NXT driver Josh Pierson was planned for the No. 4 Chevrolet, subject to passing IndyCar’s licensing evaluation, while other reports suggest the seat is still open. Until Foyt makes an announcement, treat the No. 4 as unconfirmed.
The Domino Effect: How the 2027 Moves Connect
Hauger’s move doesn’t stand alone. It’s one of a series of changes that have followed each other since July, each one freeing a seat for the next:
Other confirmed moves for 2027 include Conor Daly’s return to full-time racing with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing’s No. 24, and Ryan Hunter-Reay’s Indianapolis 500 entry with Arrow McLaren in No. 31. Our IndyCar 2027 offseason briefing has the calendar and more on the open seats.
Who’s Left Without a Seat, and Where Are the Openings?
With fewer seats available, the drivers still looking face a tight market. Here’s where things stand, separating what’s confirmed from what’s reported:
| Seat | Status | What we know |
|---|---|---|
| Ganassi No. 9 | Reported | Lundgaard reported to have signed to replace Dixon |
| Foyt No. 4 | Unconfirmed | Pierson reported as the plan, pending licence approval |
| Dale Coyne (both cars) | Open TBA | Hauger’s seat now free; Coyne often confirms drivers late |
| Juncos Hollinger (both cars) | Open TBA | No 2027 line-up confirmed |
And the drivers who are free or uncertain for 2027:
| Driver | 2026 team | Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Santino Ferrucci | AJ Foyt Racing | Replaced by Hauger; likely in demand for Indy 500 rides |
| Nolan Siegel | Arrow McLaren | Replaced by Rosenqvist; linked with several teams |
| Christian Lundgaard | Arrow McLaren | Replaced by Dixon; reported move to Ganassi |
The Dale Coyne seat is now the most interesting one. It’s the team that gave Hauger his IndyCar start, and history suggests Coyne will decide late. With Ferrucci and Siegel both needing drives, and young drivers from Indy NXT hoping to step up, the competition for the remaining seats will be intense through the winter.
The 2027 season starts on 7 March in St. Petersburg, and the 111th Indianapolis 500 is on 30 May 2027. Most seats should be decided well before then, but IndyCar’s silly season often runs into the new year. Our IndyCar schedule has the full calendar.
Dennis Hauger to Foyt — FAQ
One signing, many consequences
Dennis Hauger’s move to AJ Foyt Racing is good news for a young driver who has won almost everywhere he’s raced, and a clear sign that Foyt wants to move forward. But it’s also another piece in IndyCar’s 2027 puzzle: Ferrucci is on the market, Dale Coyne has a seat to fill, and the drivers still looking have fewer places to go.
The market isn’t finished yet. Follow World of Speed for every confirmed move as the 2027 grid takes shape.
