The 18-race 2026 IndyCar season has formally come to an finish. After Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou had already clinched his fifth championship earlier than the Grand Prix of Monterey, Palou completed simply eighth at Laguna Seca – the worst end of his profession on the observe.
As an alternative, it was Scott McLaughlin claiming his first victory of the season to shut issues out. Andretti World’s Kyle Kirkwood completed second to clinch second within the championship, simply 10 factors forward of Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard.
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With the season coming to an finish, listed here are 5 ideas to wrap up one other 12 months in IndyCar.
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Louis Foster Louis Foster (45) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Louis Foster Louis Foster (45) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Staff Penske David Malukas David Malukas (12) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Staff Penske David Malukas David Malukas (12) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Andretti World Marcus Ericsson Marcus Ericsson (28) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Louis Foster Louis Foster (45) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Graham Rahal Graham Rahal (15) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Graham Rahal Graham Rahal (15) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Arrow McLaren Christian Lundgaard Christian Lundgaard (7) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Ed Carpenter Racing Alexander Rossi Alexander Rossi (20) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Arrow McLaren Pato O’Ward Pato O’Ward (5) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Chip Ganassi Racing Scott Dixon Scott Dixon (9) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Ed Carpenter Racing Alexander Rossi Alexander Rossi (20) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Andretti World Will Energy Will Energy (26) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Mick Schumacher Mick Schumacher (47) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Staff Penske Scott McLaughlin Scott McLaughlin (3) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Staff Penske David Malukas David Malukas (12) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)
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IndyCar images from Laguna Seca in 2026 season finale
Sep 5, 2026; Salinas, California, USA; Andretti World Kyle Kirkwood Kyle Kirkwood (27) throughout apply at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Necessary Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
(Gary A. Vasquez, IMAGN IMAGES by way of Reuters Join)Scott McLaughlin returns to glory
It had been 35 races since McLaughlin was in victory lane. After going via the longest drought of his profession at any stage, the 33-year-old went out on high in 2026.
This season has been about child steps for McLaughlin and the crew on his No. 3 Staff Penske Chevrolet. After the workforce shuffled the personnel round McLaughlin – primarily rehiring former Staff Penske president Tim Cindric as strategist and making completed IMSA engineer Raul Prados the race engineer – the New Zealander needed to alter to new of us round him.
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“For us to get that success, we by no means stopped believing,” McLaughlin mentioned after the race. “We knew we may do it. It was a matter of placing it collectively and the sensation that I wanted to go quick and belief the automobile. Actually kind of hit on that this weekend, however even the final couple occasions, thought we have been on a little bit of a roll.”
This weekend was the fruits of labor for McLaughlin and the No. 3 crew, as he gained the race’s pole and managed the complete race. The three-time Supercars champion proved he’s nonetheless one in all IndyCar’s greatest.
McLaughlin, who completed high 5 within the championship from 2022 to 2024, completed sixth this season – one spot behind Staff Penske teammate David Malukas. Regardless of Malukas being probably the most constant of the workforce’s three drivers in 2026, it was McLaughlin and Josef Newgarden (two wins) who bought the workforce its three wins this 12 months.
IndyCar’s schedule reveals potential, wants tweaks
The 2026 IndyCar schedule launched three new avenue programs – Arlington, Texas; Markham, Ontario; and Washington, D.C. – whereas returning to Phoenix Raceway for the primary time since 2018. All 4 tracks offered entertaining races that drivers appeared to take pleasure in.
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Within the coming weeks, IndyCar should determine if it is returning to Washington, D.C., after the success of what was presupposed to be a one-time occasion. The opposite three new races can be again on the calendar.
Whether or not IndyCar returns to Washington, D.C., or not, the variety of followers on the race (greater than 100,000) proved that this collection completely must discover a everlasting residence within the Northeast. IndyCar president Doug Boles instructed IndyStar that the collection has talked to 6 Northeast cities about races, and Penske Company president Bud Denker known as it “a strategically essential space of the nation.” If IndyCar is not again within the nation’s capital subsequent 12 months, 2028 seems to be the earliest the collection would return to the area.
Whereas Laguna Seca is a observe drivers and followers love being at, Sunday’s race confirmed that the observe makes for a slightly stale finale. McLaughlin gained from the pole and was largely unchallenged as he led 87 of 95 laps.
After ending the season at Laguna Seca in 2022 and 2023, IndyCar wrapped issues up at Nashville Superspeedway in thrilling races the previous two years. This season, the Music Metropolis Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway occurred in July, because the collection seemed to race on an oval within the race that was meant to air moments after the trophy ceremony for the World Cup remaining ended. As an alternative, heavy rain postponed the race a whole day, and IndyCar missed out on the tens of millions of viewers who have been nonetheless tuned into Fox after Spain beat Argentina.
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Whether or not a championship is on the road or not for the season finale, IndyCar can be greatest to finish the 12 months on an oval, which is the collection’ bread and butter. The second half of the 2027 schedule can be revealed within the coming weeks, and discovering the suitable race to finish the season can be one of many extra essential selections.
As an entire, IndyCar ought to spend the following handful of years wanting into including extra ovals. Attendance has been probably the most important holdup for IndyCar to lean into ovals once more, however 4 of the 5 ovals the collection went to had strong attendance (and attendance on the Milwaukee Mile was hampered by showers all weekend). If that development continues in 2027, it could make sense for IndyCar to seek for a brand new oval or discover one other to return to.
Scott Dixon and Will Energy go winless
IndyCar’s two oldest full-time drivers, Scott Dixon and Will Energy, didn’t win a race in 2026.
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For Dixon, it was his first winless season since 2004, as his document of successful a race in 21 consecutive seasons has ended. That is solely the third full season of Energy’s full-time profession with out a win.
The 2 IndyCar legends will enter 2027 with extra questions than solutions concerning how the top of their careers will play out. Dixon is leaving Chip Ganassi Racing after 25 years, as he is on his solution to turning into teammates with Pato O’Ward and Felix Rosenqvist at Arrow McLaren. Energy will enter a second season with Andretti World after a 17-year run at Staff Penske.
Each drivers can be 46 years previous when the 2027 season begins in March. Energy completed eleventh within the championship, Dixon twelfth, and time will inform whether or not 2026 was only a blip on the radar or if two of IndyCar’s greatest have really misplaced a step.
What’s subsequent for Lundgaard?
Regardless of ending third within the championship, Arrow McLaren has chosen to maneuver on from Lundgaard in favor of Dixon and Rosenqvist. Whereas it is not confirmed, all indicators level to Lundgaard changing Dixon in CGR’s No. 9 Honda in 2027.
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At 25 years previous, this marks considerably of an inflection level in Lundgaard’s profession. Arrow McLaren workforce principal Tony Kanaan requested Lundgaard to win to maintain his job, and he did simply that with two victories this 12 months. The workforce remains to be transferring on from Lundgaard as a result of a insecurity concerning what he can do on ovals.
Lundgaard, who simply accomplished his fifth full IndyCar season, bought the primary oval podium of his profession on the Milwaukee Mile on Aug. 30. Lundgaard completed high 5 within the championship in each of his two seasons with Arrow McLaren, proving to be a near-equal to O’Ward – who was the one driver to win a race for the workforce this decade till this 12 months. However the workforce believes the experience and oval prowess of Dixon and Rosenqvist are higher for its long-term outlook than holding Lundgaard.
Lundgaard has argued that Arrow McLaren’s oval setup is catered to O’Ward, who’s recognized for pushing the boundaries and driving on the sting on ovals. In a latest interview with ESPN Deportes, O’Ward claimed his now-former teammate is “stuffed with (expletive)” concerning the rigidity of the setup.
The tip of the season leaves questions on whether or not Lundgaard can change into an oval risk, IndyCar champion or Indianapolis 500 champion. If Kanaan and Arrow McLaren are proper, Lundgaard’s profession will probably high out with top-five finishes that go away him simply behind Palou and others on a yearly foundation. But when Lundgaard does change into an all-around championship driver, historical past will not look fondly upon Arrow McLaren’s determination.
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What’s subsequent for the rookies?
Mick Schumacher is the one IndyCar rookie with a trip secured for 2027, because the German driver has been nudged out of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing however will be a part of Meyer Shank Racing.
Though Dennis Hauger completed twenty second within the championship, one spot increased than Schumacher, it is unknown if the Rookie of the 12 months can be again at Dale Coyne Racing or another workforce. AJ Foyt Racing’s Caio Collet, who completed twenty fourth within the championship, has additionally not discovered a trip for subsequent 12 months.
After Hauger and Collet completed first and second, respectively, in Indy NXT in 2025, neither was in a position to produce constant ends in their first IndyCar season. Hauger had two top-10 finishes in 18 races, whereas Collet had only one. (Schumacher additionally had one.)
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Early this 12 months, it was believed that Hauger – who gained the Indy NXT championship for Andretti World and was on a mortgage to Dale Coyne Racing – would substitute Marcus Ericsson at Andretti World. However Ericsson completed seventh within the championship and gained a race, which was sufficient for Andretti World to re-sign him and lower ties with Hauger.
Whereas Hauger and Collet confirmed promise at totally different factors, neither is aware of their plans heading into the offseason. With a handful of seats nonetheless undetermined for 2027, there stays uncertainty on if both will get a second season subsequent 12 months.
