Following a record-breaking 2025 IndyCar season, all eyes are on 2026 – in quite a few ways. It’s a make-or-break season for many drivers, with some needing to prove they have what it takes to continue competing in one of the top racing series in North America.
Which drivers will have the most to prove to the NTT IndyCar series in 2026?
1. Will Power, No. 26 Andretti Global Honda
Following a less-than-stellar performance marred by technical issues and a single race win last campaign, Will Power made one of the most high-profile career moves after the 2025 NTT IndyCar season. The IndyCar veteran left Team Penske for Andretti Global after 17 years, 2 championships, and a 2018 Indy 500 win with the team, following the exit of Colton Herta from Andretti for Formula 2.
It will certainly be an interesting challenge for Power to see how he gets along with new teammates Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson, both of whom have donena previous season or seasons with Andretti. And Power has the opportunity to kick 2026 off with a bang, as the season begins in St. Pete, a street circuit favored by the Australian native.
With a record 71 pole positions under his belt, perhaps the jump to a new team will see Power gain his elusive first Indianapolis 500 Pole – as well as breathe some much-needed life into his IndyCar career following the most recent season.
2. David Malukas, No. 12 Team Penske
David Malukas has some big shoes to fill at Team Penske following the departure of Will Power.
A young driver with proven speed, Malukas joins experienced teammates Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin at Team Penske. The 24-year-old has shown what he’s got since joining the NTT IndyCar series in 2021, with an impressive 5 top-5 finishes and 16 top-10 finishes for the Chicago native.
However, his time in the series hasn’t been easy. Following a pre-season injury while contracted with Arrow McLaren in 2024, Malukas found himself sidelined and missing out on pivotal experience. 2025 saw him make leaps in race craft with AJ Foyt, showing the limitless potential that many have seen in him.
2026 will be the year for Malukas to show Team Penske why they took a chance on him and finally earn that coveted first trip to the top step.
3. Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet
It was a season to forget in 2025 for Josef Newgarden.
Newgarden wasn’t the only one who struggled in 2025; Team Penske as a whole did. Scandals and setbacks across 2025 had the team and driver on the back foot for most of the season – especially at the Indianapolis 500, where Newgarden saw himself sent to the back of the field due to a qualifying inspection penalty. Newgarden felt the pain more so after earning the team’s lowest points finish since 2021, 12th, behind teammate Scott McLaughlin.
It was the Nashville native’s first single-win season since joining the team in 2017.
Now, Newgarden is looking for a rebound. Prior to 2025, the 35-year-old had finished no lower than 8th in his last 8 IndyCar seasons, and looks to make a comeback to that winning form for 2026. Perhaps new blood in the form of David Malukas – and changes to the management structure at Team Penske – will give him a much-needed push.
4. Rinus VeeKay, No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
All eyes are on Rinus VeeKay after his jump from Dale Coyne Racing to Juncos Hollinger Racing. A strong 2025 saw the Dutch-born driver stun with DCR, finishing 14th in the standings, the team’s highest finish since 2019. However, rather than stay, VeeKay decided to take a chance with another small but ambitious team and put the focus on himself.
With a single race win under his belt in 2021 and a career highlight finish of 2nd at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto last year, VeeKay has his sights set on more podium visits in 2026.
The familiar face of previous mentor Ricardo Juncos and the returning support of Juncos Racing give Rinus VeeKay a launch pad for 2026. The 25-year-old has the upcoming NTT IndyCar series season to put his six years of experience to the test and bring his new team a new breakthrough.
5. Pato O’Ward, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet
2026 is the season for Pato O’Ward to be the driver chased, and not the one chasing.
Following a pair of race wins and a second-place finish in the NTT IndyCar standings, Pato O’Ward starts 2026 with a solid foundation to grab some serious hardware. However, a good foundation also comes with substantial pressure.
In 6 seasons with Arrow McLaren, O’Ward has finished 5 times in the top-6 at the Indianapolis 500, including 2nd at the 2025 running following series champion Alex Palou, as well as within the top-7 of the series standings. None of those seasons has resulted in the Mexican native lifting either the Borg-Warner Trophy for winning the Indianapolis 500 or the Astor Challenge Cup as the NTT IndyCar Series champion.
And O’Ward is not without pressure in what has long been considered his team. Teammate Christian Lungaard has had stellar results since joining the Papaya outfit. Should Lundgaard start to win when O’Ward has long since been the team’s only race winner, how would the 26-year-old respond? In 2025, he handled the pressure well, but 2026 is a new season.
Will Pato O’Ward finally stand victorious at Indy 500, or become the first driver to lift the Astor cup outside of Penske or Chip Ganassi since 2013? 2026 will tell, and the pressure will only build. It’s time for O’Ward to show what he’s truly capable of.
