The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season marks another turning point for Dale Coyne Racing. After years of battling at the back of the grid, the Illinois-based squad enters this season with momentum, fresh talent and a technical alliance that promises to sharpen its competitive edge. With the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg kicking off the championship on March 1, DCR’s campaign will hinge on integrating new blood and finalising its second driver seat a story still unfolding deep into the offseason.
2025 RECAP
The 2025 season was a year of consolidation for Dale Coyne Racing. After rotating through several drivers in prior campaigns, DCR finally ran a full-season lineup, with Rinus VeeKay anchoring the No. 18 entry and Jacob Abel cutting his teeth in the sister car. VeeKay provided the highlight of the year, a stunning runner-up result at the Streets of Toronto, showing that Coyne’s often underestimated package could score results when everything clicked.
VeeKay finished 14th in the championship, the best points position for a Coyne entry in some time, while Abel gained vital experience as a rookie under intense pressure. Though consistency remained a challenge and podiums were rare, these results gave DCR something tangible to build on.
Off-track, the team struck up a technical alliance with Andretti Global late in the year, a partnership designed to help deliver data, engineering support and infrastructure improvements into 2026, a major step for a team that has long punched above its weight despite limited resources.
Read More: IndyCar 2026 Preview: Chip Ganassi Racing
Driver Line-up
- No. 18 – Dennis Hauger
- TBC
For 2026, Dale Coyne Racing strengthens its ties with Andretti Global in a technical partnership that could close the gap to the established frontrunners. The collaboration arrives with the hope of better race weekend performance and sharper car development across road, street and oval circuits.
The biggest confirmed addition so far is the signing of Dennis Hauger, the reigning INDY NXT by Firestone champion, who graduates to a full-time IndyCar seat with DCR following a dominant 2025 in the feeder series. Hauger’s results, six wins, multiple podiums and a string of poles, underline his readiness for the step up, and his familiarity with Andretti personnel should ease the transition.
As of early 2026, Dale Coyne Racing has not yet announced its second full-time driver. The seat remains one of the final unfilled spots on the IndyCar grid and has attracted significant speculation. Veteran names such as Roman Grosjean and Conor Daly have been linked to the ride in pundit chatter and paddock talk, though a deal has not been confirmed publicly.
With the grid lock-in deadline looming, the second driver announcement is one of the more intriguing storylines heading into the year.
Driver Profiles
Dennis Hauger – No. 18
Hauger arrives with a résumé few rookies can match, dominating the INDY NXT championship and proving adept across diverse circuits. His transition to IndyCar, backed by experience with Andretti engineers, gives Dale Coyne Racing a genuine young talent to build around. Expect aggressive early pace at street circuits and rapid learning curves on ovals and flowing road tracks.
TBC – Second Seat (Rumoured Contenders)
The No. 51 entry remains officially TBA for 2026, adding an element of unpredictability to Dale Coyne Racing’s season outlook. Two names frequently mentioned in rumour mills and media buzz are:
- Roman Grosjean: A seasoned open-wheel racer, F1 veteran and past IndyCar competitor, Grosjean’s experience and speed would provide a solid foil to a novice teammate. But negotiations or confirmations have yet to be revealed.
- Conor Daly: Another experienced driver with solid road-course and oval skills, Daly’s versatility could attract interest if budget backing accompanies the deal.
Until the team makes a formal announcement, speculation will remain one of the biggest offseason talking points around the paddock.
Season Outlook
Dale Coyne Racing heads into 2026 with a blend of youthful promise, technical support and headline-grabbing uncertainty. Hauger’s arrival gives the team a dynamic driver capable of unlocking potential race results and bringing fresh energy. How the mystery second seat shapes up, and whether Grosjean, Daly or another name ultimately fills it, could define the team’s fortunes.
For a squad that has often been among the last to finish fallout sheets, DCR’s growing stability and strategic alliances make it a dark horse worth watching, not for the title, but for flashes of performance and the occasional top-10 run that can change momentum on any given Sunday.
Up Next: Ed Carpenter Racing
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