As the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season nears its March 1 opener at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) stands poised as one of the sport’s most formidable powerhouses. With a driver line-up that blends championship pedigree and rising talent, the three-car Honda-powered squad enters the year with high expectations and plenty of momentum after a dominant 2025 campaign.
2025 Season in Review
The 2025 season was a remarkable one for CGR. Alex Palou powered to his third consecutive series championship and fourth in five years, in a commanding performance that included eight wins and a staggering 196-point advantage in the title chase. Palou also captured the coveted Indianapolis 500, a career highlight and a defining moment of the year for the team.
Six-time champion Scott Dixon continued his remarkable consistency, finishing third in the standings and extending a record streak of race wins across 23 seasons. Meanwhile, Kyffin Simpson showed steady progress in his sophomore IndyCar season, scoring his first podium and multiple top-five finishes as he continues to develop into a future star.
Together, the trio delivered nine wins, six poles and 17 podiums, reaffirming CGR’s position among INDYCAR’s elite. With added sponsorship momentum, including Sunoco returning as a full-season primary partner on Simpson’s No. 8 Honda the team heads into 2026 confident and well-resourced.
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Driver Line-Up for 2026
Chip Ganassi Racing remains unchanged for 2026, and why not? With the most dominant IndyCar driver of recent memory in Palou partnered with the former Indy500 winner and 6-time IndyCar Champion Scott Dixon. Let’s not forget the end of season improvement we saw from Simpson.
- No. 8 Sunoco Honda — Kyffin Simpson
- No. 9 PNC Bank Honda — Scott Dixon
- No. 10 DHL Honda — Alex Palou
Driver Profiles
Alex Palou – No. 10 DHL Honda
At just 27 years old, Palou has already cemented himself as one of INDYCAR’s modern greats. His 2025 campaign was nothing short of historic: dominating early, winning the Indianapolis 500 and rolling to a fourth title with authority rarely seen in the sport. His 196-point margin over second place remains one of the largest in the modern era, demonstrating not just speed but relentless consistency.
Palou returns in 2026 with a target on his back, but also the clarity of purpose that comes with being the benchmark. With DHL’s backing and a seasoned team behind him, he’s not just defending a title, he’s aiming to define an era. With his combination of aggression and racecraft, he’s the driver every rival measures themselves against.
Scott Dixon — No. 9 PNC Bank Honda
Dixon’s 2025 season was another testament to his enduring excellence. At 45, he remains one of the most reliable wildcards in the championship, finishing third overall and adding another win to a resume that spans 23 seasons of consecutive wins. The 6-time IndyCar champion is the perfect teammate to bring the very best out of Palou and Simpson.
His race craft, strategic wisdom and steady presence make him a threat at almost any venue. While a title in 2026 would be a fairy tale chapter late in his career, Dixon’s value goes beyond trophies, he’s the team anchor whose pace rarely dips, and whose voice in the garage matters just as much as his pace on track.
Kyffin Simpson – No. 8 Sunoco Honda
Simpson enters 2026 with confidence and greater expectation after showing real flashes of potential in 2025. The 21-year-old scored his first career podium and posted multiple top-five results, establishing himself as a genuine threat when everything clicks.
Now backed by Sunoco on the No. 8 machine a partnership steeped in motorsport heritage, Simpson will aim to make the leap from promising young gun to consistent race winner. With two seasons in INDYCAR under his belt and one of the sport’s most experienced teammates in Dixon, this could be the year he begins turning promise into regular podiums.
Outlook for 2026
Chip Ganassi Racing enters 2026 with championship DNA. The balance of seasoned champions and emerging talent gives CGR depth few others can match. Palou returns as the man to beat, Dixon offers rock-solid versatility, and Simpson brings a hunger that could see him become one of the series’ next breakout stars.
If the team can replicate even a fraction of its 2025 form while sharpening its execution, another title run is far from out of reach. With the season set to deliver a full slate of ovals, road courses and street circuits, all eyes will be on how CGR’s trio navigates the challenges ahead.
Up Next: Dale Coyne Racing
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