26 Storylines for 2026 INDYCAR Season: From Will Energy’s New Trip to D.C. race

[ad_1] St. Petersburg, Fla. — INDYCAR is formally again!

Drivers get on monitor Friday for the primary time within the 2026 INDYCAR season as they put together for the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Sunday's race (Midday ET on FOX) would be the first time Will Energy drives for Andretti International after 17 years at Crew Penske. That will likely be one of many storylines to look at. However there’s a lot extra.

Listed here are 26 storylines for 2026:

26. Scott Dixon going for seventh title

Can Scott Dixon win a seventh title? He positive will attempt. Does he have to win a seventh title? He definitely doesn't. He'll nonetheless be a legend. As he advised me, it’s in regards to the individuals. It's, however it’s additionally about Dixon and simply how unbelievable it's that he has raced at such a excessive stage for greater than 20 years. Dixon advised me this on three-time reigning champion Alex Palou’s dominance: "A few of us have been fortunate sufficient to be part of these years the place the whole lot justs not your approach or luck or something like that, however you've gotten a head of steam and it rolls and it was a hell of a yr. I feel he is positively acquired a goal on him."

<img srcset="https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/02/0/0/scott-dixon-indycar-sebring-test-day-2-by_-chris-owens_large-image-without-watermark_m145980-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/02/0/0/scott-dixon-indycar-sebring-test-day-2-by_-chris-owens_large-image-without-watermark_m145980-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy"/> Scott Dixon has eyes on an elusive INDYCAR seventh title in 2026.

25. Ryan Hunter-Reay at McLaren for Indy 500

For its additional Indy 500 automobile this yr, McLaren isn’t going with a driver from one other collection who would generate buzz. As a substitute, they've a driver who has generated buzz at Indianapolis by successful the game’s greatest race. Ryan Hunter-Reay practically gained final yr for a part-time workforce racing a automobile that had been used within the store for pit apply. He provides McLaren one other risk — however perhaps even larger, he doubtlessly provides the workforce’s drivers some further perception into what can work or what to attempt at Indy. RHR advised me: "I actually stay up for contributing right here. I wish to are available right here, I am not simply on the receiving finish. I wish to give. ... My years of expertise at Indianapolis will hopefully permit that to occur."

24. Will INDYCAR get Mexico race permitted for 2027?

It appeared that INDYCAR was effectively on its technique to solidifying a Mexico Metropolis race for 2026, however the deal by no means acquired executed. Blame the World Cup, blame one aspect or the opposite, however it’s not on the 2026 schedule. INDYCAR must return there, particularly on the top of Pato O’Ward’s reputation.

23. The return of Romain Grosjean

Former Formulation 1 driver Romain Grosjean is again within the collection driving full time for Dale Coyne Racing after not having a experience in 2025. He is called an aggressive driver and he’s late in his profession, so he’s not going to again down for any cause. Grosjean advised me: "I by no means doubted I might be again in INDYCAR as a result of I felt like what I did was fairly good, and there was all the time going to be a possibility — and I am glad that it is taking place with Dale Coyne Racing that I really like profoundly. It sucked watching from the sideline."

22. Improvement of latest automobile for 2028

A brand new INDYCAR is coming in 2028, a yr or two later than many hoped, however not less than there’s a timeline to get the brand new automobile out on the monitor. Testing of the automobile ought to begin in earnest later this yr. Weight distribution, security components and improved capability to race are all objectives. INDYCAR President Doug Boles advised me: "The thought is we'll do some baseline testing of it this summer time, get the producers their automobiles to allow them to begin testing. The concept is we will get sufficient testing in by the point we get to subsequent summer time. And subsequent summer time is the time after we'll begin rolling these automobiles out to groups, after which the workforce testing will start."

21. Get out of the best way!

INDYCAR has elevated the variety of laps from the end the place lapped-down automobiles will restart behind lead-lap automobiles. That would imply extra restarts the place these in the course of the sector have an opportunity to move.

20. How does Colton Herta do in F2?

Colton Herta isn’t racing in INDYCAR anymore, however he carries the hope of the paddock that he runs effectively in Formulation 2, proving to any doubters that INDYCAR drivers have expertise to succeed abroad. If he makes a profitable transition, it might additionally open the door — for INDYCAR being seen as a spot the place prime drivers can race and never shut their F1 hopes and likewise for the very best in INDYCAR to perhaps get a severe F1 look.

19. Is ECR on the rise?

Is Ed Carpenter’s group on the rise? Alexander Rossi posted the quickest speeds within the check at Phoenix. Christian Rasmussen gained a race final yr. The workforce has had an inflow of funding from Ted Gelov and is constructing a brand new facility. Rossi advised me: "I feel that the workforce has grown loads over the previous 14 months, and there is been plenty of change by way of the best way that we go about issues, the structuring of the group. Beginning the yr off on the proper be aware, after which persevering with that particularly by Could is crucial."

<img srcset="https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/02/0/0/christian-rasmussen-2026-ntt-indycar-series-driver-headshots-by_-joe-skibinski_large-image-without-watermark_m145567-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/02/0/0/christian-rasmussen-2026-ntt-indycar-series-driver-headshots-by_-joe-skibinski_large-image-without-watermark_m145567-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy"/> Christian Rasmussen is predicted to steer ECR's revival.

18. McLaren-Ganassi dynamic after Alex Palou trial

Do you suppose Chip Ganassi Racing is comfortable that it has to pay a $12 million judgment that McLaren obtained in opposition to Alex Palou in British courts (CGR agreed to pay the damages within the breach-of-contract case)? Most likely not. These two homeowners are removed from buddies and will probably be attention-grabbing to see if this spills on to the monitor. Palou advised me: "I've no points with any McLaren drivers, or McLaren normally, particularly. It’s extra a private factor, however it's up to now. Stuff that occurs outdoors the monitor, actually, does not actually encourage me to be like, ‘Oh yeah, now I'll attempt to be this man, that man, or end in entrance of him, I do not actually care. I simply wish to win for my workforce, myself, my household, and I like to drive. That is what motivates me."

17. Tire guidelines modifications for road programs

For road programs, groups must use not less than two units of the tender tires and not less than one set of the first tires. This may improve technique. Pato O’Ward advised me that it might imply that if the warning comes out at an inopportune time, a driver won't really feel as if he had no probability as he did with the earlier rule of needing to make use of at minimal one in every of every kind of tire. Penske driver Scott McLaughlin mentioned the brand new "tender" tire is extra sturdy so he’s undecided how a lot change it's going to have. Mclaughlin advised me: "We'd really see a purple [soft tire] race." When will he know for St. Pete? "Not till morning warmup. Possibly Apply 1, we’ll see how they really feel and the way they drop off. It is going to be attention-grabbing the way it races."

16. Will Indy 500 area get to 34 automobiles?

Proper now, there are 25 full-time entries and 29 introduced drivers for the Indy 500 with Ryan Hunter-Reay (McLaren), Ed Carpenter (ECR), Jack Harvey (Dreyer & Reinbold) and Helio Castroneves (Meyer Shank) confirmed. Andretti International will add a fourth automobile and Dreyer & Reinbold will add a second automobile. In order that’s 31 and different groups might add one other automobile. It might come down as to if Prema returns and fields a automobile or two. There are drivers who're wanting (together with Jacob Abel, who acquired bumped out a yr in the past) however Chevrolet seemingly wants to attend and see whether or not it must allocate an engine to Prema. INDYCAR president Doug Boles advised me: "When you consider the Indianapolis 500, there's issues which are central to our DNA, and one in every of them is 33 automobiles. So we've got to not less than have 33. Bumping has made qualifying thrilling, despite the fact that it has been one automobile. So to the extent we will have bumping, it might be incredible. An important factor is attending to getting the 33. Clearly, there's some unknown about the place Prema finally ends up this yr, and that is two automobiles that we counted on final yr that acquired us to that 34 quantity. So we have some work to do there."

15. Prema uncertainty

Prema isn’t on the entry listing for the primary race of the season at St. Pete and the earliest race they may get to, if they will solidify the funding, is probably going Lengthy Seashore. However the longer this goes, the extra skeptical individuals get as in addition they would want to re-staff, which might be a lot more durable because the season goes alongside. Funding points sometimes are a continuing battle for groups in the back of the grid, so whether or not any modifications occur with different groups all year long or after the 2026 season additionally stays to be seen.

14. Phoenix doubleheader with Cup

The March 7-8 race weekend at Phoenix will likely be a spectacle as INDYCAR and NASCAR’s O’Reilly Sequence (previously Xfinity) race in a doubleheader March 7, adopted by the Cup Sequence automobiles a day in a while March 8. Seeing the open-wheel automobiles and the inventory automobiles on an oval throughout the identical weekend will likely be fascinating with the totally different speeds and types. INDYCAR president Doug Boles advised me: "[Phoenix] is a monitor that has plenty of historical past in INDYCAR racing, so I am excited to be again right here for that for positive. Actually the chance to race on a Cup weekend. I feel it will be a fantastic alternative for the INDYCAR guys expose ourselves to a distinct fan base."

<img srcset="https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/02/0/0/christian-lundgaard-the-unser-indycar-open-test-at-phoenix-raceway-by_-joe-skibinski_large-image-without-watermark_m146324-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/02/0/0/christian-lundgaard-the-unser-indycar-open-test-at-phoenix-raceway-by_-joe-skibinski_large-image-without-watermark_m146324-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy"/> Issues will warmth up within the desert as INDYCAR returns to Phoenix Raceway in a number of weeks.

13. A brand new monitor at Markham

There are three new road programs this yr and Markham is one in every of them. The Toronto suburb is the brand new residence for the race because the Expo Centre course was doubtlessly not usable due to World Cup preparations (to not point out the worn streets). Markham is paving the streets that will likely be used for the circuit, so it needs to be attention-grabbing. INDYCAR president Doug Boles: "From the second we began speaking to the parents in Markham, they have been so enthusiastic about having us — the massive funding that that group is making to verify the racing floor is the form of racing floor we wish to see. And so they began instantly by way of resurfacing and getting issues prepared. The Markham mission is on the right track."

12. New officiating construction

In hopes of making an arm’s size relationship between Penske and the officers, a brand new unbiased officiating board will oversee inspection and race management. The board nonetheless has to rent a managing director of officiating, and that particular person will reply to the board, not Penske. Up to now, there have been no main modifications so far as race management (Kyle Novak remains to be race director) and technical inspection (Rocket Blanch stays overseeing tech). However further personnel have been added. Whether or not the board — former Ford exec Raj Nair, former NASCAR crew chief and proprietor Ray Evernham and the FIA’s Ronan Morgan — sees a really feel for extra modifications will likely be a speaking level all year long, not less than within the paddock. Nair advised me and different reporters: "Now we have a excessive diploma of confidence within the current workforce. We have spent plenty of time with them, and have actually, really been impressed. However we all know they want some incremental sources for assist, and there are positively some areas for steady enchancment in these areas that particularly had been referred to as out in these final two years and points."

11. Scott McLaughlin's return to Indy

It's laborious to neglect what occurred to McLaughlin on the Indianapolis 500 final yr when he wrecked out on the tempo laps. That’s one thing most wouldn’t want on their worst enemy. Till he takes the 2026 first lap below inexperienced, that thought will likely be within the minds of everybody who couldn’t consider what they witnessed in 2025.

<img srcset="https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/02/640/427/scott-mclaughlin-the-unser-indycar-open-test-at-phoenix-raceway-by_-joe-skibinski_large-image-without-watermark_m146312-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/02/1280/854/scott-mclaughlin-the-unser-indycar-open-test-at-phoenix-raceway-by_-joe-skibinski_large-image-without-watermark_m146312-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy"/> Scott McLaughlin is aiming to place an embarrassing second ultimately yr's Indy 500 behind him.

10. David Malukas's debut season with Crew Penske

Changing Will Energy gained’t be simple, and Malukas might want to deal with his personal growth. However past any apparent comparisons, will probably be extra whether or not Malukas is operating at about the identical stage as his teammates. Being quickest on the primary day of testing at Phoenix was a begin. Malukas advised me: "It doesn't matter what the identify could also be or what it's, there's strain — it’s Crew Penske, proper? It is 110 %, they're the highest of the highest. And I grew up watching them, and I feel it doesn't matter what driver you ask or who's going to be, it will be the identical reply. I've had totally different pressures all through my total profession, and this one's going to be no totally different. So very excited to deal with it and see what we will do."

9. Can Nolan Siegel maintain his McLaren experience?

Possibly we’re making an excessive amount of out of Tony Kanaan’s feedback about Siegel needing to be a top-10 driver to maintain his experience. It’s no secret after the paperwork that got here out in the course of the Alex Palou trial that Siegel brings funding to this experience. Final yr was just a little little bit of a battle, however he additionally had his moments. He’ll want extra moments in 2026 to be there in 2027. Siegel advised me: "I'm all the time making an attempt to get the very best end result that I probably can for myself and for the workforce, and that does not change based mostly on different individuals's expectations. I'm going to place the whole lot I've into it, as I might at every other time, and that does not change based mostly on what different individuals say the purpose is."

8. Andretti International general modifications

Will Energy as the driving force of the No. 26 isn’t the one change at Andretti,and when wanting on the workforce past Energy, there are many storylines. Former Crew Penske government Ron Ruzewski is now the workforce principal. Andretti additionally has one other driver — Dennis Hauger — within the collection however he’s been loaned to Dale Coyne Racing. If that doesn’t put strain on Marcus Ericsson, who's in a contract yr, then nothing else will. The veteran Ericsson has been by this earlier than and is aware of he must rebound from a subpar 2025. Ruzewski advised me: "I mentioned it in entrance of the entire group, and I proceed to reside by it: Profitable races is not terribly laborious — it is simply plenty of laborious work."

7. Crew Penske's new management

This would be the first full season with Crew Penske below new management with Jonathan Diuguid on the helm of the group and Travis Legislation the brand new VP of competitors. Can they do sufficient to spark the group find its mojo again after a season of solely two victories and no driver increased than ninth within the standings? We’ll see. McLaughlin advised me: "There's plenty of new faces and new positions in our workforce, and we had to do this midway by the yr final yr, and having six months actually to mesh everybody collectively and get ourselves a very sturdy workforce, I feel it actually places us in a very sturdy place proper now. We’ve acquired plenty of belief within the constructing. There's plenty of simply wish to go on the market and put ourselves again to the place we predict we belong. It may be laborious. However I feel with the individuals that we have got, it will be plenty of enjoyable."

<img srcset="https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/02/0/0/josef-newgarden-2026-ntt-indycar-series-driver-headshots-by_-joe-skibinski_large-image-without-watermark_m145517-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/02/0/0/josef-newgarden-2026-ntt-indycar-series-driver-headshots-by_-joe-skibinski_large-image-without-watermark_m145517-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy"/> Can Josef Newgarden and Crew Penske regain their kind in 2026?

6. Racing Round The Capitol

In a late addition to the schedule, a race on the streets of Washington, D.C., within the Nationwide Mall space will run on Aug. 23. A mission that didn’t seem to get executed ended up getting executed due to a President Donald Trump government order. A lot of the entry to the occasion will likely be free. It needs to be a spectacle of a weekend in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the USA. INDYCAR president Doug Boles: "We’ve really been engaged on that since late summer time. So whereas the announcement of it simply got here a pair weeks in the past, we're loads additional alongside. Now we have plenty of work to do, although, with a view to get that executed. However we have laid out the course. Hopefully, we'll get that introduced within the subsequent couple weeks. I've ordered the concrete, the fencing, all of the issues that we want for that. So I feel we're in fairly fine condition. Simply going to be a heavy elevate."

5. Racing in Arlington round Jerry World

The brand new race in Arlington is in simply a few weeks (March 15) and can function racing across the stadiums of the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. This race has created plenty of buzz. Driver Rinus VeeKay advised me: "I am excited for that. In order that's that is actually simply the massive present with all of the leisure round, with all of the stadiums, that is simply one thing. Huge sports activities is America and is Texas, so I am excited."

4. Mick Schumacher brings a giant identify. Will he have large outcomes?

Can Mick Schumacher achieve success in a transition from European racing? Who is aware of. However everybody will likely be watching to see if the son of seven-time Formulation 1 champion Michael Schumacher can discover success in INDYCAR, particularly on ovals, the place he has by no means raced earlier than. Schumacher advised me final week: "We're all excited. We’ve been speaking about it for thus lengthy now that they are all very eager on getting going with the race weekend."

<img srcset="https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/02/0/0/mick-schumacher-2026-ntt-indycar-series-driver-headshots-by_-joe-skibinski_large-image-without-watermark_m145588-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/02/0/0/mick-schumacher-2026-ntt-indycar-series-driver-headshots-by_-joe-skibinski_large-image-without-watermark_m145588-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy"/> Mick Schumacher is bringing his racing chops from F1 to INDYCAR in 2026.

3. Will Palou proceed to dominate?

Will Alex Palou dominate and win his fourth consecutive (and fifth general) title? It’s laborious to think about that he would win eight races once more this yr. However why not? Palou advised me: "I feel all people is aware of that it’s fairly powerful to win so many. Our 2025 season was simply a type of seasons the place the whole lot got here collectively."

2. Josef Newgarden: Will he rebound or will he battle?

The 2-time collection champion clearly was bitter over the best way 2025 went, and even a win on the Nashville finale wasn’t sufficient to make him be ok with the yr, the place he completed twelfth within the standings. If he has an identical yr, the query will likely be whether or not he'll come again to Penske in 2027 or search to make a transfer. Newgarden advised me: "I do not really feel like something [as far as momentum] from the final race. We’ll reset going into ’26 and nothing from final yr goes to hold over proper now. We'll have to simply restart and be sturdy proper out of the gates."

1. Will Energy transfer to Andretti

What else do you suppose it could be? Energy was the storyline off the monitor final yr so far as his saga and whether or not he would return to Penske. Clearly he didn’t. So what number of races will he win and how briskly will he stand up to hurry at Andretti? He thinks it gained’t take lengthy. Energy tells me: "Once I see their sources, the store the engineering trailer, a few of the stuff, I really feel like they're forward in some respects — and behind just a little bit in a few of the primary stuff, which they've labored laborious on the offseason anyway. I really feel like Andretti will likely be higher than what they had been final yr. I really feel like they’ll take fairly a step this yr. And I really feel prefer it places them a fairly good place. That’s why I’m very to see the place we stack up."

<img srcset="https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/02/0/0/will-power-indycar-sebring-test-day-2-by_-chris-owens_large-image-without-watermark_m145917-1-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxsports.com/statics.foxsports.com/www.foxsports.com/content/uploads/2026/02/0/0/will-power-indycar-sebring-test-day-2-by_-chris-owens_large-image-without-watermark_m145917-1-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" width="640" height="427" loading="lazy"/> Will Energy strikes to Andretti after a 17-year run with Crew Penske.

2026 INDYCAR SEASON PREVIEW:

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports activities. He has spent a long time protecting motorsports, together with over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene journal and The (Daytona Seashore) Information-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass.