A changing of the guard in the 2026 IndyCar series
Nine races down, nine to go. It is staggering to look at the standings halfway through this 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season. The most shocking development has to be Will Power’s transition to Andretti Global. After 17 years with his previous employer, the two-time series champion is suffering through a nightmare season. With an average finish of 16.0 and only two top-10 finishes in nine starts, he sits 17th in the standings. It is a stunning drop for a driver who never finished outside the top 10 during his full seasons with Team Penske.
Elsewhere, we are witnessing a genuine changing of the guard. While Alex Palou remains the class of the field at Chip Ganassi Racing, the traditional hierarchy at other powerhouses has been shattered. Kyle Kirkwood has emerged as the lead driver at Andretti Global, sitting second in points. Meanwhile, Christian Lundgaard has arguably surpassed Pato O’Ward at Arrow McLaren, and David Malukas has become the most consistent performer for Team Penske. These young guns occupy the second, third, and fourth spots in the standings, proving the old order is not as secure as we once thought.
Yet, the veterans are not going down without a fight. The revivals of Graham Rahal and Josef Newgarden have been a sight to behold. Rahal has already secured three podium finishes, a massive improvement from his 19th-place showing last year. Newgarden, meanwhile, remains the only driver besides Palou to claim multiple victories, taking the top step at both Phoenix and World Wide Technology Raceway. As we head into the second half of the season, the battle for the championship will come down to who can navigate the upcoming ovals and summer stretch without a single mistake.
