Samwise IndyCar Newsletter
Friday, June 26, 2026
Lundgaard Wins Road America from Last After Lap-1 Front Wing Damage
Christian Lundgaard recovered from dead last to win the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America on June 21, claiming his second IndyCar victory of 2026. The Arrow McLaren driver dropped to the tail of the field after contact on the opening lap damaged his front wing, requiring a pit stop for repairs. Lundgaard drove through the field on strategy and raw pace, moving into contention when leaders ahead faltered in the final stages. He crossed the line 0.624 seconds ahead of Team Penske’s David Malukas. The result further tightened the battle for second in the championship, while Alex Palou extended his points lead to 60 despite a pit-lane speeding penalty.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Palou Extends Championship Lead to 60 Points After Road America Pit Penalty Recovery
Alex Palou leads the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series championship with 374 points following the Road America race on June 21, holding a 60-point advantage over second-placed David Malukas. Palou started from pole and led the opening 13 laps but received a drive-through penalty for speeding in pit lane. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver recovered to finish fifth in the No. 10 DHL Honda, salvaging crucial points. Malukas sits second with 314 points, ahead of Kyle Kirkwood at 313. Christian Lundgaard’s win moved him to fourth with 297 points. Nine races remain in the 18-event 2026 season, with the next round at Mid-Ohio on July 5.
Sources: Crash.net
Malukas Second, Power Third After Post-Race Review Reshuffles Road America Podium
The final Road America podium was confirmed as Christian Lundgaard first, David Malukas second, and Will Power third following a post-race stewards review on June 21. Power initially crossed the line third after contact with Graham Rahal on the final lap at Turn 12, sending Rahal into the gravel. Stewards ruled Power not at fault and reinstated his result, elevating his No. 26 Andretti Global Honda to the podium. Kyffin Simpson of Chip Ganassi Racing was bumped to fourth as a result. Malukas recorded his third runner-up finish of the season, continuing a consistent run that has moved him to second in the drivers’ championship.
Sources: Beyond the Flag
How Lundgaard Drove from Dead Last to Victory in 55 Laps at Road America
Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard required a pit stop for a new front wing on Lap 1 of the Road America race after contact sent him to last place among the 27-car field. His team executed an extended first stint on the alternate Firestone compound to undercut rivals during the caution period, cycling Lundgaard to second place behind Marcus Armstrong with four laps remaining. Armstrong then suffered a mechanical failure, handing Lundgaard the lead. The Dane held off David Malukas over the final laps by 0.624 seconds. It was Lundgaard’s second 2026 win, following his earlier victory on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in May.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Road America Race Draws 1.8 Million Viewers, IndyCar’s Best Non-Indy 500 Audience Since 2011
The 2026 XPEL Grand Prix at Road America averaged 1.803 million viewers on FOX, a 131 percent increase over the 2025 Road America broadcast, which drew 781,000. The broadcast peaked at 2.943 million viewers and was boosted by a FIFA World Cup group stage lead-in featuring Spain versus Saudi Arabia, with 64 percent of soccer viewers remaining for the IndyCar race. The 18-to-34 demographic rose 294 percent year-over-year. For the 2026 season through 10 races, IndyCar on FOX is averaging 2.033 million viewers, up 14 percent from the 2025 average of 1.783 million across FOX’s first IndyCar broadcast season.
Sources: Racer
Power and Rahal Trade Blame After Last-Lap Contact Costs Rahal Podium Spot
Will Power and Graham Rahal publicly disagreed over their last-lap collision at Turn 12 during Sunday’s Road America race on June 21. Power said he was at the limit of braking and could not avoid contact when Rahal moved to defend. Rahal, driving the No. 15 MSC Industrial Supply Honda for Meyer Shank Racing, said he was deeply disappointed in Power’s move on the final lap. The contact ended Rahal’s bid for a fourth podium of the 2026 season as his car spun into the gravel. IndyCar stewards reviewed the incident and determined Power was not at fault, a decision Rahal’s camp contested.
Sources: Motorsport.com
Indy 500 Winner Rosenqvist Confirmed Departing Meyer Shank Racing at Season’s End
Meyer Shank Racing confirmed on June 24 that Felix Rosenqvist will leave the team at the conclusion of the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season. Rosenqvist, 32, won the 110th Indianapolis 500 on May 24, edging David Malukas by 0.0233 seconds in the closest finish in race history and earning a record $4.34 million payout. The Swede joined MSR in 2024 after stints at Arrow McLaren and Chip Ganassi Racing. Reports indicate the split stems from performance direction and Rosenqvist’s ambition to join a more competitive multi-car operation. His destination for 2027 has not been confirmed, with Andretti Global and Arrow McLaren mentioned as possibilities.
Sources: Racer
Kirkwood Sets Fastest Time as 14 IndyCar Drivers Test at Mid-Ohio Ahead of July 5 Race
Kyle Kirkwood set the quickest time at a 14-car IndyCar private test at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on June 23, posting 1m05.354s in the No. 27 Andretti Global Honda. Rinus VeeKay was second in the Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet at 1:05.413, 0.059 seconds behind. Six teams participated, including Andretti Global, Dale Coyne Racing, ECR, Juncos Hollinger Racing, Meyer Shank Racing, and Team Penske. Felipe Nasr substituted for Josef Newgarden in the No. 2 Penske Chevrolet as Newgarden continues to manage the foot injury he sustained during his Indianapolis 500 crash on May 24. The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio is scheduled for July 5.
Sources: Racer
Newgarden Sits Out Mid-Ohio Test; Nasr Steps In as Penske No. 2 Chevrolet Stand-In
Two-time IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden sat out the June 23 Mid-Ohio team test while recovering from the foot injury he sustained during his crash at the Indianapolis 500 on May 24. Felipe Nasr drove the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet in his place. Newgarden has raced through the pain since Indianapolis, including a win at World Wide Technology Raceway on June 7, but the team chose not to risk aggravating the injury during a non-points test day. No official timeline for Newgarden’s full recovery has been given. He is expected to race in the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on July 5 barring a setback.
Sources: IndyCar.com
Drivers’ Championship
1. Alex Palou — 374 pts
2. David Malukas — 314 pts
3. Kyle Kirkwood — 313 pts
4. Christian Lundgaard — 297 pts
5. Pato O’Ward — 257 pts
6. Scott McLaughlin — 248 pts
7. Josef Newgarden — 247 pts
8. Scott Dixon — 211 pts
Teams’ Championship
1. Chip Ganassi Racing — 585 pts
2. Team Penske — 561 pts
3. Arrow McLaren — 554 pts
4. Andretti Global — 481 pts
5. Meyer Shank Racing — 198 pts
6. Juncos Hollinger Racing — 112 pts
7. Dale Coyne Racing — 98 pts
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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