Alex Palou absolutely locked up his fourth consecutive INDYCAR title, his fifth in five years, but don’t you dare think the 2026 season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca isn’t going to be absolutely wild! We’re talking about one last go for the season on a historic 2.238-mile, 11-turn permanent road course that’s hosted INDYCAR for five straight years, complete with that iconic Corkscrew. FOX coverage kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, and trust me, you won’t want to miss a second.
The Race for Second, Plus a Driver Shuffle!
Forget the championship, the real drama is all about that fight for second place in the points standings. Christian Lundgaard is holding onto a two-point lead over Kyle Kirkwood. But Pato O’Ward is right there, only four points back, and David Malukas isn’t far behind, 23 points out. Can you believe O’Ward swept The Milwaukee Mile doubleheader last weekend to even put himself in this position? That’s a rally right there! Pato himself said after the sweep, “I go into Laguna with a proper shot at being second in the championship again, which I did last year. I love that opportunity. I’d love to end it like that and kind of pick it back up because the rest of the year, I felt a little bit like a lost puppy.” You gotta love that fire from O’Ward!
And talk about a driver carousel! At least five drivers have already announced they’re out the door with their current teams. The biggest shocker has to be Scott Dixon, who’s racked up six titles and 58 victories at Chip Ganassi Racing since 2002. He’s heading to Arrow McLaren next year! Indianapolis 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist is also leaving Meyer Shank Racing for McLaren. But hold up, McLaren’s losing some folks too: Lundgaard, who’s fighting for second, and Nolan Siegel are both out. Mick Schumacher knows he’s not coming back to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing since they sold one of their charters, though his next move isn’t officially public yet. Plus, there are six other drivers with their futures up in the air for 2027: Caio Collet and Santino Ferrucci from A.J. Foyt Racing, Rinus VeeKay and Sting Ray Robb from Juncos Hollinger Racing, and Romain Grosjean and Dennis Hauger from Dale Coyne Racing. This finale is going to be an audition for some!
Dixon’s Streak Ends and the Corkscrew Gets a New Name
Can you believe Scott Dixon, the guy who’s won every year for the last 21 years straight, is sitting here winless in 2026? That’s wild. He told reporters last week, “Every weekend we’re trying to win. It’s been a rough year. It’s been frustrating. It’s been one of those years where anything can slightly miss, we do.” It’s tough to see a legend struggle, but you know he’s going to push hard in this final race.
Oh, and for those who love the track details, that famous Corkscrew is getting a new name: the Alex Zanardi Corkscrew! They’re honoring the two-time champion who pulled off a legendary pass there back in 1996. And just how big is that drop? The first part drops 59 feet over 450 feet of track, with a total drop of 109 feet! That’s like plunging down more than 10 stories, all in the blink of an eye.
So, buckle up for Sunday on FOX at 2:30 p.m. ET. It’s the 2026 season finale, with big moves, big battles, and big goodbyes. You know I’ll be glued to the screen!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
Leave a Reply