Here's the thing about Christian Lundgaard. When you finish third in the points and suddenly find yourself looking for a new home in early July, most drivers would panic. Arrow McLaren decided not to offer him a contract for 2027 despite him being their highest point scorer last season, leaving him disappointed and confused after learning the news just hours before the media did. But fortune moves fast in this paddock, and a massive door opened.
Now, the 25-year-old Dane (yes, that Christian Lundgaard) is stepping into the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda at Chip Ganassi Racing. Let's be completely honest: following Scott Dixon is an insane task. Dixon spent 24 full-time seasons with the organization, taking six championships, 58 of his 59 career victories, and the 2008 Indianapolis 500. Team owner Chip Ganassi didn't hesitate when the chance arose, though, pointing out a simple truth: "When's the last time the guy that's finished third in the points was available? That says it all to me."
The first thought that I had when this opportunity became on the table was, I'm learning from the best driver, who learned from the best driver in Scott Dixon,
Lundgaard racked up two victories, 13 podium finishes, and 14 top-five results across his two seasons with Arrow McLaren. Yet questions over his oval performances lingered—issues cited for his previous team's decision. Ganassi isn't buying those doubts. The team owner pointed to the Milwaukee Mile doubleheader in August, where Lundgaard finished third for his first top-five on a circle track during the final oval race of the season, followed by a sixth in the other race. In fact, Lundgaard's average oval finish has climbed in each of his first five seasons in the series, moving from 18.4 as a rookie to 17.6, 15.3, 13.2, and 10.8.
"I like his approach to driving," Ganassi said. "I think he's very clinical. I think he's a student of the craft. I didn't see any oval questions at Milwaukee. That's an oval. He beat all three of our guys. I'm not concerned."
Stepping into this powerhouse isn't lost on Lundgaard, who knows he is joining a five-time champion teammate in Alex Palou and an organization famous for dropping new drivers straight into title contention. Juan Montoya won the championship in his first full-time season with Ganassi in 1999, Dixon did it in 2003, Dario Franchitti in 2009, and Palou in 2021. The main objective now is simple: get a CGR car to victory lane, keep the rubber side down, and learn from the best.
"The first thought that I had when this opportunity became on the table was, I'm learning from the best driver, who learned from the best driver in Scott Dixon," Lundgaard said. Combining what he learned at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing with what Ganassi sees in him, the next chapter is ready to write itself.
