| 2025 INDYCAR SILLY SEASON |
Copyright © 2025 IndySpeedway.com All Rights Reserved
| ANNOUNCEMENTS |
| POSSIBLE 2026 INDYCAR CANDIDATES |
| Last Update: November 13, 2025 |
| NEW DRIVER EVALUATION TESTS |
TEAM
CONFIRMED DRIVERS
CAR#
| 2026 INDYCAR DRIVERS CONFIRMED |
NOTES
| 2025-2026 IndyCar Silly Season |
AJ Foyt Racing
14
41
41
Santino Ferrucci
Caio Collet (R)
Caio Collet (R)
Andretti Global
26
27
28
27
28
Will Power
Kyle Kirkwood
Marcus Ericsson
Kyle Kirkwood
Marcus Ericsson
Pato O'Ward
Christian Lundgaard
Nolan Siegel
Christian Lundgaard
Nolan Siegel
5
7
6
7
6
Arrow McLaren SP
Dale Coyne Racing
51
18
18
Alex Rossi
Christian Rasmussen
Christian Rasmussen
20
21
21
Ed Carpenter Racing
Contracted thru 2026
Contracted thru 2026
Contracted thru 2026
multi-year beginning 2025
hired 11/2025
hired 11/2025
5/2022 multi-year extension
9/2025 - re-signed
6/18/24 - hired thru 2026
9/2025 - re-signed
6/18/24 - hired thru 2026
9/23 - hired for 2026
8
9
10
9
10
Kyffin Simpson
Scott Dixon
Alex Palou
Scott Dixon
Alex Palou
Chip Ganassi Racing
60
66
66
Felix Rosenqvist
Marcus Armstrong
Marcus Armstrong
9/2024 re-signed, multi-year
8/2025 re-signed
8/2025 re-signed
Meyer Shank Racing
2
3
12
3
12
Josef Newgarden
Scott McLaughlin
David Malukas
Scott McLaughlin
David Malukas
Team Penske
Multi-year start 2025
Graham Rahal
Louis Foster
Louis Foster
15
45
30
45
30
Rahal Letterman Lanigan
Racing
Racing
Dennis Hauger (R)
hired for 2026
11/2025 multi-year extension
3-yr beginning 2024
11/2025 multi-year extension
3-yr beginning 2024
Rinus VeeKay
76
77
77
Juncos Hollinger Racing
10/15/25 - Hired for 2026
| 2025 FULLTIME INDYCAR DRIVERS w/no contract for 2026 |
| OTHER DRIVERS |
2025 Team
Coyne
Juncos
Juncos
Rahal
Coyne
Juncos
Juncos
Rahal
Note: The "Silly Season" is the period of time when
race car drivers join or depart race teams, mostly
between seasons.
My annual Silly Season coverage ends when the last
drivers for the new season have been selected.
race car drivers join or depart race teams, mostly
between seasons.
My annual Silly Season coverage ends when the last
drivers for the new season have been selected.
| Page Index |
Mar 19, 2025 - Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has hired Toby
Sowery as their new reserve/development driver. Sowery raced in
3 races last year for Dale Coyne Racing. He has been racing in IMSA
LMP2 class with Crowd Strike Racing this year.
Sowery as their new reserve/development driver. Sowery raced in
3 races last year for Dale Coyne Racing. He has been racing in IMSA
LMP2 class with Crowd Strike Racing this year.
PREMA Racing
83
90
90
Robert Shwartzman
Callum Ilott
Callum Ilott
| RACE TEAM STAFF SILLY SEASON |
04/01/25 - Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has hired former IndyCar Series president
and NASCAR Cup Series team owner Jay Frye as its new team president. Frye will
report directly to team ownership and will oversee operations for the team’s involvement in
the IndyCar Series and IMSA SportsCar Championship.
The team also announced that it has parted ways with Steve Eriksen, who held the role
of chief operating officer with the organization since January 2023.
and NASCAR Cup Series team owner Jay Frye as its new team president. Frye will
report directly to team ownership and will oversee operations for the team’s involvement in
the IndyCar Series and IMSA SportsCar Championship.
The team also announced that it has parted ways with Steve Eriksen, who held the role
of chief operating officer with the organization since January 2023.
Driver
Jacob Abel
Conor Daly
Sting Ray Robb
Devlin DeFrancesco
Jacob Abel
Conor Daly
Sting Ray Robb
Devlin DeFrancesco
05/28/25 - Dale Coyne Racing re-hired two lead engineers that used to work there.
Michael Cannon will engineer Rinus VeeKay's No 18 Honda.
Mike Colliver will engineer Jacob Abel's No 51 car.
Michael Cannon will engineer Rinus VeeKay's No 18 Honda.
Mike Colliver will engineer Jacob Abel's No 51 car.
05/30/25 - Meyer Shank Racing has appointed veteran IndyCar manager George Klotz,
who serves as race strategist for Marcus Armstrong’s No. 66 Honda, as the team’s first
race car quality control and rules compliance officer.
who serves as race strategist for Marcus Armstrong’s No. 66 Honda, as the team’s first
race car quality control and rules compliance officer.
05/21/25 - After technical violations were uncovered during Indy 500 Qualifying, Team Penske has
fired three employees - Tim Cindric (Team President), Ron Ruzewski (Managing Director) and Kyle
Moyer (General Manager.)
fired three employees - Tim Cindric (Team President), Ron Ruzewski (Managing Director) and Kyle
Moyer (General Manager.)
06/21/25 - Arrow McLaren has hired Kyle Moyer as race strategist for Nolan Siegel.
Moyer was fired by Team Penske a month ago, where he was the strategist for Scott
McLaughlin.
Moyer was fired by Team Penske a month ago, where he was the strategist for Scott
McLaughlin.
| Cannon |
| Frye |
07/04/2025 - After the shake-up at Team Penske in May, some changes have been
made. Two men from their Porsche sports car program have been promoted.
Jonathan Diuguid was named Penske Racing president, overseeing Team
Penske's programs in IndyCar, IMSA and WEC.
Travis Law has been promoted from Porsche Penske's competition director to
competition director of Penske Racing and will overseen IndyCar as well as
sportscars.
Luke Mason will serve as both race strategist and engineer for Josef Newgarden.
David Faustino will also pull double-duty for Will Power.
Scott McLaughlin's race strategist will be Ben Bretzman and his race engineer will
be Malcom Finch.
made. Two men from their Porsche sports car program have been promoted.
Jonathan Diuguid was named Penske Racing president, overseeing Team
Penske's programs in IndyCar, IMSA and WEC.
Travis Law has been promoted from Porsche Penske's competition director to
competition director of Penske Racing and will overseen IndyCar as well as
sportscars.
Luke Mason will serve as both race strategist and engineer for Josef Newgarden.
David Faustino will also pull double-duty for Will Power.
Scott McLaughlin's race strategist will be Ben Bretzman and his race engineer will
be Malcom Finch.
| Diuguid |
| Law |
Linus Lundqvist - 2024 IndyCar Ganassi driver
Theo Pourchaire - 2024 Arrow McLaren driver
Romain Grosjean - 2024 JHR driver
Theo Pourchaire - 2024 Arrow McLaren driver
Romain Grosjean - 2024 JHR driver
Sept 2, 2025 - Team Penske and Will Power have parted ways.
He joined the team full-time in 2010 and was the highest finishing
driver for the team this year and the IndyCar champion in 2022.
He joined the team full-time in 2010 and was the highest finishing
driver for the team this year and the IndyCar champion in 2022.
Sept 2, 2025 - Rinus VeeKay has quit his job at Dale Coyne Racing
after his first season with the team, where he took a car that finished
last in 2024 and placed 13th with it this year. He's done well with the
team and must have another job opportunity lined up for 2026.
after his first season with the team, where he took a car that finished
last in 2024 and placed 13th with it this year. He's done well with the
team and must have another job opportunity lined up for 2026.
Sept 3, 2025 - Colton Herta joins the new Cadillac F1 team as a test
driver. He will not race IndyCar next year and will now look for an F2
ride so he can follow the F1 trail and try to reach 40 Super License
points, which is required to race in F1.
driver. He will not race IndyCar next year and will now look for an F2
ride so he can follow the F1 trail and try to reach 40 Super License
points, which is required to race in F1.
Sept 3, 2025 - Andretti Global has hired Will Power to replace Herta
in the No. 26 Honda for the 2026 season.
in the No. 26 Honda for the 2026 season.
Sept 18, 2025 - David Malukas has switched from AJ Foyt Racing to
Team Penske for 2026.
Team Penske for 2026.
Sept 23, 2025 - Dale Coyne Racing has hired 22 y/o Norwegian
Dennis Hauger to drive for the team next year. Hauger won the Indy
NXT championship this year as a rookie, with 6 wins and 7 poles.
Dennis Hauger to drive for the team next year. Hauger won the Indy
NXT championship this year as a rookie, with 6 wins and 7 poles.
09/25/2025 - Rob Edwards is moving from Team Principal of Andretti Global to
the role of Chief Performance Officer for the parent group TWG Motorsports which
has teams in IMSA, Supercars, Formula E, Nascar and Formula 1.
Andretti Global has hire ex-Team Penske Managing Director Ron Ruzewski as
Team Principal. Ruzewski will be reunited with Will Power, whom he was Race
Strategist for while at Penske.
the role of Chief Performance Officer for the parent group TWG Motorsports which
has teams in IMSA, Supercars, Formula E, Nascar and Formula 1.
Andretti Global has hire ex-Team Penske Managing Director Ron Ruzewski as
Team Principal. Ruzewski will be reunited with Will Power, whom he was Race
Strategist for while at Penske.
| Edwards |
| Ruzewski |
Sept 25, 2025 - Arrow McLaren has hired Eric Cowdin to be their director of
engineering and will focus on trackside support. Cowdin was the competition
director at Ed Carpenter Racing the last two seasons.
engineering and will focus on trackside support. Cowdin was the competition
director at Ed Carpenter Racing the last two seasons.
Lap Time
1:05.715
1:05.861
1:06.232
1.06.649
1.06.850
1:05.715
1:05.861
1:06.232
1.06.649
1.06.850
Team
Penske
Foyt
Coyne
Ganassi
MSR
Penske
Foyt
Coyne
Ganassi
MSR
Driver
Felipe Nasr (IMSA GTP, F1)
Caio Collet (Indy NXT)
Dennis Hauger (Indy NXT)
NIels Koolen (Indy NXT)
Kaku Ohta (IMSA LMP2, Japanese Super Formula)
Felipe Nasr (IMSA GTP, F1)
Caio Collet (Indy NXT)
Dennis Hauger (Indy NXT)
NIels Koolen (Indy NXT)
Kaku Ohta (IMSA LMP2, Japanese Super Formula)
10/01/2025 - Private test at MID-OHIO
10/13/2025 - Private test at IMS ROAD COURSE:
Team
Coyne
RLL
Foyt
Andretti
Juncos
Coyne
RLL
Foyt
Andretti
Juncos
Lap Time
1:10.768
1:10.980
1:11.048
1:11.354
1:11.600
1:10.768
1:10.980
1:11.048
1:11.354
1:11.600
Driver
Dennis Hauger (Indy NXT)
Mick Schumacher (WEC Hypercar, F1)
Caio Collet (Indy NXT)
Lochie Hughes (Indy NXT)
James Roe (Indy NXT)
Dennis Hauger (Indy NXT)
Mick Schumacher (WEC Hypercar, F1)
Caio Collet (Indy NXT)
Lochie Hughes (Indy NXT)
James Roe (Indy NXT)
Oct 15, 2025 - After leaving Dale Coyne Racing, where he finished the
2025 season 14th in points, Rinus VeeKay has joined Juncos Hollinger
Racing for the 2026 season.
(Conor Daly finished 18th in points for JHR this year in that car.)
2025 season 14th in points, Rinus VeeKay has joined Juncos Hollinger
Racing for the 2026 season.
(Conor Daly finished 18th in points for JHR this year in that car.)
Nov 6 - AJ Foyt Racing has hired 23 y/o Brazilian Caio Collet to race
in 2026. He'll fill the seat vacated by Malukas who switched to Team
Penske. Collet finished 2nd in Indy NXT standings this year.
in 2026. He'll fill the seat vacated by Malukas who switched to Team
Penske. Collet finished 2nd in Indy NXT standings this year.
Nov 3, 2025 - Brian Barnhart and Kyle Sagan have left Arrow McLaren to join
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Barnhart was general manager at McLaren and will be Senior VP of Operations
at RLL as well as calling race strategy for Graham Rahal.
Sagan was a Ganassi mechanic and then went to McLaren to manage pit stops.
He will now be RLL's Pit Stop Manager.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Barnhart was general manager at McLaren and will be Senior VP of Operations
at RLL as well as calling race strategy for Graham Rahal.
Sagan was a Ganassi mechanic and then went to McLaren to manage pit stops.
He will now be RLL's Pit Stop Manager.
Nov 3, 2025 - Olivier Boisson has joined Arrow McLaren as its new Head of Damper
Engineering. Boisson spent the last two seasons as a race engineer at Andretti Global.
Engineering. Boisson spent the last two seasons as a race engineer at Andretti Global.
| Sagan |
| Barnhart |
OPEN RACE SEATS:
1 @ Dale Coyne Racing
1 @ Juncos Hollinger Racing
1 @ Rahal Letterman Lanigan
1 @ Dale Coyne Racing
1 @ Juncos Hollinger Racing
1 @ Rahal Letterman Lanigan
Sept 24, 2025 - Jack Harvey will return with Dreyer & Reinbold
Racing to compete in the 2026 Indy 500. Harvey's sponsor INVST
is returning with him. Harvey has been part of the Fox IndyCar
broadcast team this year.
Racing to compete in the 2026 Indy 500. Harvey's sponsor INVST
is returning with him. Harvey has been part of the Fox IndyCar
broadcast team this year.
Nov 13 - Arrow McLaren will be running a 4th car at the 2026 Indy
500 - the No. 31.
They have hired 2014 Indy 500 Winner Ryan Hunter-Reay to pilot
the car.
500 - the No. 31.
They have hired 2014 Indy 500 Winner Ryan Hunter-Reay to pilot
the car.