New Zealand motor racing figure Sir Scott Dixon is reportedly set to change teams in IndyCar. Reports indicate that Dixon is moving to Arrow McLaren, marking a significant shift in his career.
Dixon has been a long-standing presence with Chip Ganassi Racing, having been with the team since 2002. During his tenure, he secured six IndyCar Series championships. These titles were won in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020. Additionally, he claimed victory in the Indianapolis 500 in 2008.
His consistent performance includes winning at least one race in every IndyCar season since 2005. This streak is currently in question for the present year. After ten rounds, Dixon is positioned tenth in the standings, with his best result being a third-place finish at Long Beach.
Changes at Arrow McLaren and Chip Ganassi Racing
The move to Arrow McLaren would see Dixon join Pato O’Ward. He would also be joined by Felix Rosenqvist, the current Indianapolis 500 winner, who is also expected to transition to Arrow McLaren. This team restructuring suggests that Christian Lundgaard and Nolan Siegel are likely to lose their current seats.
Dixon’s reported departure from Chip Ganassi Racing after a 25-year association opens up a notable vacancy in the team’s No. 9 Honda car for the 2027 season. This seat is considered highly sought after in the market.
Several drivers are being considered as potential replacements for Dixon at Chip Ganassi Racing. Among the candidates, Marcus Armstrong is frequently mentioned. One perspective suggests that Armstrong, who was previously associated with Ganassi and is currently with Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian, could be a seamless transition. He has continued to work with Ganassi engineer Angela Ashmore and has developed significantly as a driver during his time away from the main team.
Another strong contender for the No. 9 seat is Christian Lundgaard. His availability might be particularly appealing to Chip Ganassi. Lundgaard’s potential to secure victories and championships could be seen as a strategic move for the team.
Beyond these names, Dennis Hauger is also being considered. Hauger, the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone champion, has shown promising rookie-season numbers with Dale Coyne Racing. His performance, including a 16.0 average finish through ten races, has drawn comparisons to Alex Palou’s initial IndyCar Series season. Hauger’s background includes success in the Red Bull Junior Team, an FIA Formula 3 championship, and five Formula 2 victories.
Future prospects for the No. 9 car
The decision for the No. 9 car could also involve a surprise, with Chip Ganassi potentially looking outside the current series. This approach aligns with past hiring trends, such as the recruitment of Alex Zanardi in 1996, who had no prior IndyCar Series experience but went on to win two consecutive titles. Similarly, both Scott Dixon and Alex Palou joined Chip Ganassi Racing with only one full season of series races under their belts in 2002 and 2021, respectively.
With Alex Palou established as a leader at Chip Ganassi Racing, the team might seek to develop a younger driver with international experience who could eventually succeed him. Given Honda’s ties with the team, potential candidates could include Kakunoshin Ohta, who has tested with Meyer Shank Racing, or even former Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda, currently a Red Bull Racing test and reserve driver. These considerations highlight the various directions Chip Ganassi Racing could take in filling the significant vacancy left by Dixon’s reported move.
Source: rnz.co.nz
