The hunt for the future of the No. 9 Ganassi seat

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES silly season has erupted following reports that six-time champion Scott Dixon will end his 25-year tenure with Chip Ganassi Racing to join Arrow McLaren in 2027. This move instantly creates the most desirable vacancy on the grid: the No. 9 Honda.

Inside the paddock, perspectives on the successor vary wildly. Marcus Armstrong is widely viewed as a leading candidate, having continued his work with Ganassi engineer Angela Ashmore while driving for Meyer Shank Racing. Others, like Eric Smith, point toward Dennis Hauger, citing his rookie-season statistics with Dale Coyne Racing as a potential parallel to Alex Palou’s early performance.

Then there is the possibility of a wild card. Given Chip Ganassi’s history of finding international talent, some suggest the team might look beyond the current series grid entirely. Names like Kakunoshin Ohta, who has tested with Meyer Shank Racing, or Red Bull Racing test driver Yuki Tsunoda, are being discussed as potential successors to step into the seat alongside the team's leader, Alex Palou.