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2w ago

Jameis Winston Delivers Pep Talk to Rookie Dennis Hauger as Honorary Starter at St. Pete IndyCar Opener

The cameo underscored Winston’s knack for viral motivation beyond football.

Jameis Winston Gave a Pep Talk to ‘Norwegian Nightmare’ Dennis Hauger at St. Pete
Jan 4, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (19) waves to fans after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Overview

  • During FOX’s grid walk, Winston told the 22-year-old Hauger “Age ain’t nothing but a number” and dubbed him the “Norwegian Nightmare.”
  • The exchange aired on INDYCAR on FOX and spread widely on social media, with Winston briefly taking the microphone from reporter Jack Harvey.
  • The Firestone Grand Prix officially named Winston the Honorary Starter, and he waved the green flag to open the NTT IndyCar Series season.
  • Hauger, the 2025 Indy NXT champion driving Dale Coyne Racing’s No. 19 Ault Blockchain Honda, qualified third in his first IndyCar weekend.
  • He finished tenth in his debut, which Yahoo Sports noted was the only top-10 result among the rookies at St. Petersburg.