The NTT INDYCAR SERIES concluded its season with significant developments, featuring Alex Palou capturing a fourth consecutive season championship and fifth in six years, alongside a second straight sellout of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in May, according to indycar.com. Television viewership rose 23 percent year-over-year following commitments from FOX, while the sport also introduced three new street races and saw major driver roster changes.
Washington D.C. Street Race Draws Record Television Audience
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. took place on Aug. 23, marking a signature moment of the season on a new street circuit in the nation’s capital, indycar.com reported. Television ratings reached 3.28 million viewers, making it the most-watched race other than the Indianapolis 500 since 1995. The event was one of three new street races introduced during the season, alongside the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington with support from the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers, and the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham following the relocation of the Toronto street race. Andretti Global drivers won all three events, with Kyle Kirkwood taking victories in Arlington and Washington and Marcus Ericsson winning in Markham, according to indycar.com.
Mick Schumacher Adapts to Ovals in First INDYCAR Season
Mick Schumacher debuted in the series with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driving the No. 47 Honda, recording his strongest performances on oval tracks despite his father Michael Schumacher’s historical aversion to high-speed ovals, indycar.com reported. Schumacher qualified fourth in his oval debut at Phoenix Raceway and finished 18th after a pit stop tire change issue on Lap 71. He subsequently completed all 200 laps at the Indianapolis 500 to finish 18th and earn Rookie of the Year honors, followed by a 16th-place finish at World Wide Technology Raceway, eighth at Nashville Superspeedway, and 13th- and 12th-place finishes in a Milwaukee Mile doubleheader. Dale Coyne Racing’s Dennis Hauger ultimately claimed the series Rookie of the Year Award, with AJ Foyt Racing’s Caio Collet finishing third, per indycar.com.
Felix Rosenqvist Claims Historic Indianapolis 500 Victory
Felix Rosenqvist secured his second career NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory by winning the Indianapolis 500 in a finish separated by 0.0233 of a second over Team Penske’s David Malukas, marking the closest 1-2 finish in race history, indycar.com reported. Rosenqvist started fourth, led 24 laps, and executed a pass on Meyer Shank Racing teammate Marcus Armstrong and leader Malukas on the final lap. The race featured an event-record 70 lead changes, eclipsing the previous mark of 68 set in 2013. Rosenqvist became the third Swedish driver to win the Indianapolis 500, joining Kenny Brack and Ericsson, while Meyer Shank Racing secured its second victory in the event, according to indycar.com.
Scott Dixon Moves to Arrow McLaren in Silly Season Shift
Scott Dixon left Chip Ganassi Racing after 25 seasons and six championships to join Arrow McLaren, ending a tenure that included 58 wins and 414 starts, indycar.com reported.
Rinus VeeKay and Juncos Hollinger Racing Secure Top-10 Standings
Rinus VeeKay and Juncos Hollinger Racing finished tenth in the final season point standings, marking a career-best finish for both the driver and the team, indycar.com reported. The pairing recorded a third-place finish in the second race of the Milwaukee Mile doubleheader, three fourth-place finishes, and a sixth-place finish at the Indianapolis 500, which also set a personal and team best at the historic speedway, according to indycar.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 INDYCAR Season
Who won the 2026 INDYCAR season championship?
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou won the season championship, marking his fourth consecutive title and fifth in six years, according to indycar.com.
What was the margin of victory in the Indianapolis 500?
Felix Rosenqvist won the Indianapolis 500 by 0.0233 of a second over David Malukas, setting the record for the closest 1-2 finish in race history, indycar.com reported.
Which team did Scott Dixon join for the upcoming season?
Scott Dixon moved from Chip Ganassi Racing to Arrow McLaren after 25 seasons with Ganassi, as reported by indycar.com.
How many lead changes occurred during the Indianapolis 500?
The race featured 70 lead changes, breaking the previous event record of 68 set in 2013, according to indycar.com.
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