Christian Lundgaard will pilot the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing in the 2027 IndyCar season, stepping into a ride previously held by six-time champion Scott Dixon across 24 full-time years. Lundgaard moves to Ganassi after finishing third in the 2026 points standings with Arrow McLaren, where he scored two victories and 13 podium finishes before learning in early July that he would not be retained for the following year.
Entering the No. 9 Seat After Scott Dixon
Replacing Dixon presents an immense challenge for any driver in the IndyCar paddock. Dixon secured 58 of his 59 career victories and the 2008 Indianapolis 500 during his long tenure with Chip Ganassi Racing. Team owner Chip Ganassi acknowledged the unique market availability of securing a driver coming off a third-place points finish, according to IndyCar.com reporting. Lundgaard admitted he found out about Arrow McLaren’s decision just hours before the media broke the news in July, leaving him temporarily confused before the Ganassi opportunity materialized.
Oval Track Performance and Team Confidence
Questions regarding Lundgaard’s competitiveness on ovals influenced his departure from Arrow McLaren, according to IndyCar.com. However, Ganassi dismissed those concerns, pointing to the Milwaukee Mile doubleheader in August 2026. Lundgaard finished third in the first race for his first top-five circle-track result and followed it with a sixth-place finish, beating all three Ganassi entries in the process. Statistics show steady improvement in Lundgaard’s average oval finish over his first five series seasons, progressing from 18.4 as a rookie to 17.6, 15.3, 13.2, and finally 10.8.
Instead, team management heavily evaluates a candidate’s personal values, discipline, and approach to racing culture before finalizing a contract.
Championship Precedents at Ganassi
Lundgaard joins an organization with a history of immediate success when bringing new talent into frontline machinery. Juan Montoya captured the IndyCar title in his first full-time season with Ganassi in 1999. Dixon repeated the feat in 2003, followed by Dario Franchitti in 2009 and Alex Palou in 2021. Lundgaard noted that having Palou as a teammate offers a direct line of mentorship, noting that Palou previously learned alongside Dixon.
Did You Know? Christian Lundgaard finished as Arrow McLaren’s highest point scorer in the 2026 IndyCar season, accumulating 14 top-five results across his two-year stint with the squad.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2027 Lineup Change
Why did Christian Lundgaard leave Arrow McLaren?
Arrow McLaren decided not to offer Lundgaard a contract for the 2027 season in early July, despite him finishing third in points and serving as the team’s highest-scoring driver that year.
What car will Christian Lundgaard drive in 2027?
Lundgaard will drive the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing, replacing Scott Dixon.
How many career victories does Scott Dixon have?
Scott Dixon has earned 59 career IndyCar victories, with 58 of those coming during his 24 full-time seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing.
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