Finally, we’re going racing again Hurrah!
Otay Kiddoes, another stupendous Off-season has
finally ended! Being over a Gory Half year since the Nashville Super speedway’s
season finale last August 31st.
As I’ve dropped Prema Racing, since they’ve
missed pre-season testing, and will not compete at St Pete. And if they do
return, they’ll presumably be under new ownership, and a new name…
2026 Chevrolet Team line-ups
This is just intended to be a hopefully
somewhat Brief rundown upon the 14 Fulltime Bowtie’ runners in this year’s NTT
IndyCar Series Championship.
A.J. Foyt
Enterprises (2)
(Team/Car
No/Drivers)
#4 (R) Caio Collet, Brazil
#14
Santino Ferrucci, USA
(Technical Alliance with Team Penske)
Its old news now that ‘lil Davey’ from “Chicago”,
ergo David Malukas as departed Foyt for “Greener” pastures.
As Brazilian Caio Collet, set to turn 24 years
old on April 3rd , will partner thee Great Santini’, aka Santino Ferrucci this
season.
Collet graduates from Indy NXT, where He
finished “Vice Champion”, Err runner-up to series champion Dennis Hauger with
three wins. And His No. 4 entry sounds like it’ll have one of the best looking liveries
this season.
Santino fell dramatically off the boil last
year. Sliding backwards from ninth overall in 2024 to 16th overall in 2025.
Hence, like every year, “we” Hope for marked
improvement from the Foyt team, as surely Santino will have a better season?
And rookie Collet will need some time to “gel” to His new environment…
Arrow McLaren (3)
#5 Patricio
“Pato” O'Ward, Mexico
#6
Nolan Siegel, USA
#7 Christian Lundgaard, Denmark
2024
Wins: 2
Pato O’Ward (2)
While my current Numero Uno IndyCar driver Pato
O’Ward had an impressive season, once again being the team’s only winner. Yet
presumably He scored more Top-5 and Top-10 finishes this year.
As Pato improved from fifth overall in 2024, to
a career best “vice Champion”, Err runner-up last year. Even though scoring one
less win.
New recruit Christian Lundgaard came charging
out of the gate with a trio of podium finishes in the season’s first four races,
putting O’Ward on ‘notice”. Yet Pato said this is my team, with the Dane
finishing fifth overall, three places behind O’Ward. Having finished 11th at
Rahal Letterman Lanigan in 2024.
Obviously this is a make or break year for
Nolan Siegel, after finishing a lowly P22 overall last year. As what more can I
say than team Boss Tony Kanaan saying publicly Nolan needs to finish 10th or
better this year or else…
Ed Carpenter Racing (2)
#20 Alexander
Rossi, USA
#21 Christian
Rasmussen, Denmark
On “paper”, you’d have to say that new team
leader Alexander Rossi’s first season with ECR wasn’t sterling, finishing P15
overall. A decline of five places in 2024 at Arrow McLaren.
Christian Rasmussen finished 13th overall in
His first full season Gig’, which obviously paid off for ECR. With the Dane
scoring His maiden IndyCar W’ in a fantastic win on the Milwaukee Mile. Doing
something rare, i.e.; passing Alex Palou for victory!
Fast Eddie’, ergo team Boss Ed Carpenter will
once again run an Indianapolis 500 only effort this year. While the team
continues to improve overall with Ted Gelov’s partnership and additional
staffing.
Juncos Hollinger Racing (2)
#77
Rinus VeeKay, Netherlands
#78
Sting Ray Robb, USA
Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) seemingly
“muddles” along. Once again with a revised driver lineup , seeing two former
Juncos Racing drivers in the fold.
Sting Ray Robb returns for His sophomore season
at JHR, having finished 25th overall in 2025. While Rinus VeeKay moves over
from Dale Coyne Racing, where He finished P14 overall. With the Dutchman
apparently hoping to use JHR as a springboard for bigger ‘n better things in
2027…
Team Penske (3)
#2 Joseph
Newgarden, USA
#3 Scott
McLaughlin, New Zealand
#12
David Malukas, USA
2025
Wins: 2
Josef Newgarden, (1) Will Power (1)
Think I don’t need to try rehashing everything
that occurred at Team Penske last year, Righto? With the departed will Power
being the team’s highest overall finisher in ninth. Followed by ScottyMac’
(McLaughlin) P10 and Josef Schlick’ Newgarden 12th overall.
As the team went from eight wins in 2024 to a
measly two last year…
Scott McLauglin went winless for the first time
since His rookie season, and finished one point behind DJ WillyP’; (Power)
357-356. While Newgarden seems to be on a down “Glide-scope” perhaps?
With the “Big” news being the arrival of David
Malukas as Will Power’s successor. Where it will be just plain weird “seeing’
Malukas in the No. 12 this year!
Ironically, Malukas split His Team Penske
teammates at foyt last year. Finishing P11, two points ahead of Newgarden.
(318-316)
And as my second favourite IndyCar driver, I’m
curious how He’ll fare at the “mothership?” As Arse-sumedly most others are…
(R = Rookie)
