Christian Lundgaard locked down his multiyear deal to drive the No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda on September 29, leaving the rest of the paddock scrambling to sort out the remaining 2027 NTT IndyCar SERIES grid. With that massive piece of business settled early, attention turns entirely to who fills the remaining vacancies and which drivers hold the cards.
Curt Cavin is keeping a close eye on Juncos Hollinger Racing, where Rinus VeeKay is widely expected to return once team ownership details are finalized. That partnership was one of the bright spots of the 2026 season, highlighted by a third-place finish at the Milwaukee Mile, three fourth-place finishes, a sixth-place finish in the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, and a 10th-place finish in the standings.
Over at AJ Foyt Racing, Eric Smith is fascinated by the battle for the second seat—especially with Dennis Hauger vacating it after taking Rookie of the Year honors last season. Josh Pierson holds the inside line for the ride, but it hinges on an upcoming evaluation test, raising questions about what happens if things go sideways. With Santino Ferrucci lacking the necessary budget and the team gearing up for a massive May celebrating the 60th anniversary of A.J. Foyt’s third Indy 500 victory and the 50th anniversary of his historic fourth win, the stakes are high for whoever steps into the car alongside a potential lack of series experience.
Arni Sribhen is tracking the hottest newcomer on the market: 18-year-old reigning INDY NXT by Firestone champion Nikita Johnson. The Floridian phenom dominated the developmental series in 2026, drawing heavy interest from AJ Foyt Racing, Dale Coyne Racing, and Juncos Hollinger Racing. While budget constraints might ultimately force his hand, whichever team lands the youngster will acquire a rookie with a veteran racing IQ who knows how to keep his nose clean and extract maximum potential from his machine.
Finally, Paul Kelly is questioning whether Romain Grosjean's time in the series has run its course. After arriving in 2021 following his dramatic exit from Formula One after his fiery 2020 crash in Bahrain, Grosjean's stints—including runs with Andretti Global in 2022 and 2023—failed to yield the anticipated race wins and title fights. His return in 2026 with Dale Coyne Racing brought an uninspiring campaign featuring just three top-10 finishes, though one was a standout second at Markham. With team owner Coyne possibly seeking a veteran to mentor a rookie like Johnson—or eyeing more cost-effective options like Callum Ilott and Nolan Siegel—Grosjean may opt to pivot back to sports cars after battling in the mid-pack.
