The IndyCar season closes with the return to the top of Scott McLaughlin on the Laguna Seca slide, while Kyle Kirkwood secures second place in the championship behind Álex Palou.
McLaughlin ended the 2026 IndyCar season in the best possible way in the IndyCar championship finale at Laguna Seca, California.
Starting from pole position ahead of Palou (Ganassi), the New Zealander from Team Penske won with authority and claimed his first victory in two years.
Rossi on the podium
McLaughlin was never really threatened during this finale. After maintaining the lead at the start, he perfectly executed his strategy to control the race and win ahead of Kirkwood. The Andretti Global driver also had an excellent performance as he secured, thanks to this second place, the honorary title of 2026 vice-champion.
Already assured of clinching another crown, Álex Palou had a much quieter finale. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver finished eighth, with no impact on a championship he had already definitively won for the fifth time, the fourth consecutive.
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Alexander Rossi completes the podium at the wheel of the No. 20 car from Ed Carpenter Racing. The American thus records his best result of the season in this final round. Felix Rosenqvist (MSR) takes fourth place ahead of David Malukas, allowing Team Penske to place two cars in the top 5. Christian Lundgaard (McLaren) finishes sixth and secures third place in the championship: he ultimately finishes ahead of his teammate Pato O’Ward in the overall standings.
Grosjean extended in 2027 ?
The finale, however, was short-lived for Dennis Hauger (DCR). The Norwegian was hit by Sting Ray Robb (Juncos) on the first lap and forced to retire. This incident did not prevent him from keeping enough of a lead to claim the rookie of the year title. His final ranking also allows Dale Coyne Racing to remain in the top 22 of the championship and thus benefit from the roughly $1.7 million awarded as part of the “Leaders’ Circle” for the next season. Good news for this small team which could also keep Romain Grosjean in 2027.
The situation is less favorable for Sting Ray Robb, Caio Collet, and Mick Schumacher. All three finish outside the top 22, depriving Juncos Hollinger Racing, A.J. Foyt Racing, and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing respectively of this important bonus. The transfer market is however almost closed in IndyCar as Collet is expected to move to Juncos, while Connor Daly has been confirmed by Dreyer & Rheinbold for 2027 just like Mick Schumacher with Meyer Shank Racing.
It remains to be seen who will succeed Scott Dixon at Ganassi, the veteran New Zealander moving to McLaren, but all eyes are on Christian Lundgaard, the Dane who finished on the championship podium.
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