Samwise IndyCar Newsletter
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
IndyCar to Cut Hybrid Power Output by 10-25 Percent for Rest of Season
The NTT IndyCar Series has informed teams it will reduce the power output of its hybrid systems for the remainder of the 2026 season, RACER reported June 16. The reduction begins this weekend at Road America, with technical staff making race-by-race adjustments to lower hybrid horsepower by 10 to 25 percent depending on the circuit. The move follows reliability problems with the spec energy storage systems and motor generator units that created supply concerns. By dialing energy harvesting and deployment back toward 2024 debut levels, IndyCar hopes to safeguard its pool of units. Andretti principal Ron Ruzewski expects only a few tenths of lap-time difference.
Sources: RACER
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Founder Dennis Reinbold Dies at 65
Dennis Reinbold, whose Dreyer & Reinbold Racing fielded cars in the INDYCAR SERIES and Indianapolis 500 for more than 25 years, died June 13 surrounded by family, IndyCar announced June 14. He was 65. Reinbold, an Indianapolis automobile dealer, formed the team in 1999, naming it for grandfather Floyd “Pop” Dreyer. DRR won its first series start in January 2000 at Walt Disney World Speedway with Robbie Buhl, its only victory. All 53 cars the team entered in the Indianapolis 500 qualified. Drivers including Ryan Hunter-Reay, Simon Pagenaud, Buddy Rice and Al Unser Jr. raced for Reinbold over the years.
Sources: IndyCar.com
Palou Resumes Title Pursuit as IndyCar Returns at Road America
The NTT IndyCar Series resumes its season Sunday with the 55-lap XPEL Grand Prix at Road America, kickstarting the second half after nine completed races, IndyCar wrote June 15. Four-time series champion Alex Palou carries a 49-point lead and remains the prohibitive title favorite, having won three of the past five Road America races, including last year’s. Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood, second in points, is best positioned to challenge after finishing fourth there a year ago. Team Penske’s David Malukas stands third, 68 points back. Five drivers have won races in 2026, leaving 20 still seeking their first victory of the year.
Sources: IndyCar.com
Myles Rowe on Team Penske Radar for End-of-Season IndyCar Test
Indy NXT race winner Myles Rowe is on Team Penske’s radar for an end-of-season IndyCar evaluation test, RACER reported June 15. Rowe’s drive from 24th to victory at the recent NXT round at World Wide Technology Raceway drew attention across both paddocks, with the Georgia native winning for Abel Motorsports under the Force Indy banner. Funded by Roger Penske, Rowe and Force Indy have been part of a multi-year initiative to help the former USF Pro 2000 champion reach IndyCar. Team president Jonathan Diuguid said nothing official has been decided but a post-season test would fit after Rowe concludes his third NXT season.
Sources: RACER
Palou Early Favorite at Road America as Contenders Line Up
Alex Palou is the early betting favorite for the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America, FOX Sports reported June 16. The reigning champion has four wins and five poles and leads the standings with 342 points after winning the 2025 race despite leading only six laps. Kyle Kirkwood, second and 49 points behind, has one win this year at the inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington in March. Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard owns a victory at the Sonsio Grand Prix and sits seven points clear of teammate Pato O’Ward, who has six top-five finishes but no podiums and still seeks his first 2026 win.
Sources: FOX Sports
IndyCar Returns to Road America With Four Days of Racing June 18-21
The NTT IndyCar Series returns to Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for the XPEL Grand Prix presented by AMR, a four-day event beginning June 18, the Sheboygan Press reported June 15. The main race is set for 1 p.m. Sunday on FOX, with practice and qualifying on FS1, FS2 and FOX One and radio on SiriusXM channel 218. The field includes defending Road America winner Alex Palou, Pato O’Ward, Will Power, Josef Newgarden, Scott Dixon, Kyle Kirkwood and Indianapolis 500 champion Felix Rosenqvist. The 4-mile, 14-turn circuit is known for long straightaways, fast corners and dramatic elevation changes.
Sources: Sheboygan Press
Indy NXT Doubleheader Headlines Support Card for Road America Weekend
A full support card joins the IndyCar weekend at Road America, with Indy NXT by Firestone staging a doubleheader, the Sheboygan Press reported June 15. The first Indy NXT race is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday on FS1, with the second at 11 a.m. Sunday, also on FS1. The June 18-21 event also features USF Pro 2000, USF2000, Radical Cup North America and Vintage Indy, which showcases historic IndyCar machines. Off track, the 640-acre property offers public karting, a disc golf course, a family fun zone and camping. Children 16 and younger receive free general admission with a paying adult.
Sources: Sheboygan Press
Drivers’ Championship
1. Alex Palou — 342 pts
2. Kyle Kirkwood — 293 pts
3. David Malukas — 274 pts
4. Christian Lundgaard — 246 pts
5. Pato O’Ward — 239 pts
6. Josef Newgarden — 238 pts
7. Scott McLaughlin — 222 pts
8. Felix Rosenqvist — 221 pts
9. Marcus Ericsson — 196 pts
10. Marcus Armstrong — 196 pts
11. Graham Rahal — 193 pts
12. Scott Dixon — 192 pts
13. Rinus VeeKay — 175 pts
14. Alexander Rossi — 152 pts
15. Kyffin Simpson — 147 pts
16. Santino Ferrucci — 146 pts
17. Will Power — 145 pts
18. Dennis Hauger — 133 pts
19. Louis Foster — 131 pts
20. Romain Grosjean — 117 pts
21. Nolan Siegel — 116 pts
22. Christian Rasmussen — 112 pts
23. Caio Collet — 99 pts
24. Sting Ray Robb — 89 pts
25. Mick Schumacher — 89 pts
26. Conor Daly — 24 pts
27. Takuma Sato — 20 pts
28. Jack Harvey — 8 pts
29. Jacob Abel — 6 pts
30. Helio Castroneves — 5 pts
31. Ed Carpenter — 5 pts
32. Ryan Hunter-Reay — 5 pts
33. Katherine Legge — 5 pts
Teams’ Championship
1. Team Penske — 591 pts
2. Chip Ganassi Racing — 576 pts
3. Andretti Global — 509 pts
4. Arrow McLaren — 507 pts
5. Meyer Shank Racing — 417 pts
6. Rahal Letterman Lanigan — 351 pts
7. ECR — 264 pts
7. Juncos Hollinger Racing — 264 pts
9. Dale Coyne Racing — 250 pts
10. A.J. Foyt Enterprises — 245 pts
11. Dreyer & Reinbold Racing — 32 pts
12. Abel Motorsports — 6 pts
13. HMD Motorsports — 5 pts
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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