INDYCAR teams target podium finishes and bonus eligibility in season finale
With Alex Palou’s dominance securing the title, organisations are pivoting to contest second place, secure top-ten standings, and capture financial incentives.
As the 2026 INDYCAR season approaches its conclusion with five races remaining, teams have established distinct strategic objectives to maximise their standing in the final stages. According to an analysis by Fox Sports, the primary focus for most organisations has shifted from challenging for the championship to securing second place in the standings and achieving specific performance benchmarks.
Chip Ganassi Racing, currently leading the owner points, has set a clear target for Scott Dixon to secure a victory. The team aims to extend Dixon’s annual win streak to 22 years, a feat that would solidify his legacy. Additionally, the organisation is focused on Kyffin Simpson, who sits 14th in the drivers’ standings and is 33 points away from a top-ten finish, a position deemed achievable within the remaining calendar.
Andretti Global is concentrated on maintaining Kyle Kirkwood’s second-place standing in the drivers’ championship. The team views Kirkwood’s current position as a strong indicator of future competitiveness, with assessments suggesting he is poised to challenge for the title next season. For Marcus Ericsson and Will Power, who are positioned just outside the top ten, the organisation considers a top-ten finish satisfactory, though a race victory would provide a more significant conclusion to their campaigns.
Team Penske has identified David Malukas as a key contender for the runner-up spot. Sitting third in the standings and only eight points behind Kirkwood, Malukas is viewed as having a legitimate chance to finish as the series runner-up. The team also aims for Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin to secure top-five placements, with Newgarden 20 points and McLaughlin 34 points outside the top five, respectively.
Arrow McLaren is targeting a second-place finish in the standings, driven by the performances of Christian Lundgaard and Pato O’Ward. Lundgaard, currently fourth, is 25 points behind Kirkwood, while O’Ward, in fifth, is 45 points out. The organisation considers a second-place finish with multiple wins, as Lundgaard has already secured two victories this season, to be a satisfactory outcome. For rookie Nolan Siegel, the focus is on performance to aid his career prospects, as he is 54 points away from the top fifteen.
Meyer Shank Racing, having already secured the Indianapolis 500 victory, is now focused on Felix Rosenqvist finishing in the top five. Rosenqvist is 17 points away from this target, while Marcus Armstrong aims to return to the top ten after falling to 15th due to engine issues. Juncos Hollinger Racing is prioritising Rinus VeeKay’s retention of a top-ten spot, with five drivers within 39 points of him. Simultaneously, the team is targeting Sting Ray Robb to secure Leaders Circle bonus money eligibility, a financial incentive worth more than $1 million, which requires finishing in the top 22.
RLL Racing is targeting a top-ten standing for Graham Rahal, who is 13th in the standings and 33 points away from the cut-off. The organisation views a top-ten finish as a significant accomplishment for the driver and the team as the season draws to a close.
