| 2025 INDYCAR SILLY SEASON |
Copyright © 2026 IndySpeedway.com All Rights Reserved
| ANNOUNCEMENTS |
| POSSIBLE 2026 INDYCAR DRIVERS |
| Last Update: January 26, 2026 |
| DRIVER EVALUATIONS |
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
9/2025 - Hired for 2026
Team Penske
Multi-year start 2025
11/2025 - Hired for 2026
Graham Rahal
Louis Foster
Mick Schumacher (R)
Louis Foster
Mick Schumacher (R)
15
45
47
45
47
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
Sting Ray Robb
Sting Ray Robb
76
77
77
Juncos Hollinger Racing
10/15/25 - Hired for 2026
Contract runs through 2026
Contract runs through 2026
| 2025 FULLTIME INDYCAR DRIVERS w/no contract for 2026 |
| OTHER DRIVERS |
2025 Team
Juncos
Rahal
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
Conor Daly
Devlin DeFrancesco
Conor Daly
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 14th 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 14th 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.
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.
| 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 Experience
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 Experience
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, Rinus VeeKay has
joined Juncos Hollinger Racing for the 2026 season, effectively
moving from a car that finished 14th this past season, for a car that
finished 18th (driven by Conor Daly.)
joined Juncos Hollinger Racing for the 2026 season, effectively
moving from a car that finished 14th this past season, for a car that
finished 18th (driven by Conor Daly.)
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.
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.
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 @ Dale Coyne Racing
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.
Nov 17, 2025 - New Team Penske promotions:
Power's Race Engineer, David Faustino, promoted to Technical Director.
McLaughlin's Race engineer, Ben Bretzman, promoted to Engineering Manager of
Competition.
Chief Mechanic Matt Jonsson becomes assembly manager.
Senior assistant race engineer Robbie Atkinson, has been named team manager.
Andrew Miller will perform a new position - Shop-side engineering manager.
Power's Race Engineer, David Faustino, promoted to Technical Director.
McLaughlin's Race engineer, Ben Bretzman, promoted to Engineering Manager of
Competition.
Chief Mechanic Matt Jonsson becomes assembly manager.
Senior assistant race engineer Robbie Atkinson, has been named team manager.
Andrew Miller will perform a new position - Shop-side engineering manager.
| Ben Bretzman |
| David Faustino |
Nov 21, 2025 - Gavin Ward has joined Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in a
special advisory role and reports to team president Jay Frye. Ward was team
principal at Arrow McLaren in 2024 and a race engineer at Team Penske before
that.
special advisory role and reports to team president Jay Frye. Ward was team
principal at Arrow McLaren in 2024 and a race engineer at Team Penske before
that.
Nov 25 - Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing hired Mick Schumacher
to race in IndyCar in 2026. He will compete in all races including ovals.
The 26 y/o Swiss-born driver has raced a couple years in both WEC
and Formula 1.
Meet the 2026 IndyCar Rookies
to race in IndyCar in 2026. He will compete in all races including ovals.
The 26 y/o Swiss-born driver has raced a couple years in both WEC
and Formula 1.
Meet the 2026 IndyCar Rookies
Dec 2 - There has been speculation that Sting Ray Robb would not be
back at Juncos Hollinger Racing, but he will be. So, Conor Daly is
officially out of a ride there, having been replaced by Rinus VeeKay.
back at Juncos Hollinger Racing, but he will be. So, Conor Daly is
officially out of a ride there, having been replaced by Rinus VeeKay.
Dec 27, 2025 - Colton Herta's race engineer, Nathan O'Rourke, is moving to a
shop-based engineering role. Andy Listes will become race engineer for incoming
driver Will Power. in the No. 26 car.
shop-based engineering role. Andy Listes will become race engineer for incoming
driver Will Power. in the No. 26 car.
Car No.
26
27
28
26
27
28
Driver
Will Power
Kyle Kirkwood
Marcus Ericsson
Will Power
Kyle Kirkwood
Marcus Ericsson
Crew Chief
Nick Allen
Scott Marks
Neil Campbell
Nick Allen
Scott Marks
Neil Campbell
Race Engineer
Andy Listes
Jeremy Milless
Ron Barhorst
Andy Listes
Jeremy Milless
Ron Barhorst
Jan 6 - Jacob Abel announced he will be racing in IMSA LMP2 class
for Era Motorsports in 2026 and not driving for Dale Coyne Racing's
IndyCar team.
for Era Motorsports in 2026 and not driving for Dale Coyne Racing's
IndyCar team.
Jan 7, 2026 - Colton Herta's spotter, David Hunt, is moving to Team Penske and
replacing Adam Fournier as spotter for Scott McLaughlin.
replacing Adam Fournier as spotter for Scott McLaughlin.
Jan 19, 2026 - Team Penske has assigned Raul Prados as race engineer for
Scott McLaughlin.
Prados worked at AJ Foyt Racing from 2012-2016 before joining Penske's IMSA
GTP program.
Scott McLaughlin.
Prados worked at AJ Foyt Racing from 2012-2016 before joining Penske's IMSA
GTP program.
Jan 21, 2026 - Ed Carpenter Racing has promoted Matt Barnes from race
engineer for Alex Rossi, to vice president of competition.
New Hires:
1. Quentin Montigaud as race engineer for Alex Rossi. (Formerly in Formula E)
2. Chase Campbell as its first full-time strength and conditioning coach.
3. Derek Davidson as team manager. (Former RLL team manager)
4. Robert Gue as to its engineering staff as special projects manager. (Formerly
at PREMA & Arrow McLaren)
engineer for Alex Rossi, to vice president of competition.
New Hires:
1. Quentin Montigaud as race engineer for Alex Rossi. (Formerly in Formula E)
2. Chase Campbell as its first full-time strength and conditioning coach.
3. Derek Davidson as team manager. (Former RLL team manager)
4. Robert Gue as to its engineering staff as special projects manager. (Formerly
at PREMA & Arrow McLaren)
| Barnes |
| Montigaud |
| Gue |
| Campbell |
| Davidson |
Jan 26, 2026 - Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has hired Mike
Pawlowski as race engineer for rookie driver Mick Schumacher.
Also, Ryan Briscoe has been hired as driver coach.
Pawlowski as race engineer for rookie driver Mick Schumacher.
Also, Ryan Briscoe has been hired as driver coach.
| Pawlowski |
| Briscoe |
