Samwise IndyCar Newsletter
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Dreyer & Reinbold Seal Historic IndyCar Charter Purchase From Rahal to Return Full-Time in 2027
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing will return to full-time NTT IndyCar Series competition in 2027 after purchasing a charter from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing on Wednesday, July 22 — the first charter transfer since IndyCar’s Charter System launched in late 2024. The transaction, subject to IndyCar approval, grants DRR a guaranteed entry in every 2027 championship event. DRR’s last full-time season was 2012. RLL co-owner Bobby Rahal cited a “strategic decision” to operate a two-car program in 2027, saying the move positions the team to “maximize competition” as it prepares for the 2028 new-car introduction. DRR will announce its driver lineup and commercial partners at a later date.
IndyCar’s Inside Line: Dixon’s Ganassi Exit and Rosenqvist’s 500 Win Headline Mid-Season Surprises
IndyCar.com’s weekly Inside Line feature named Scott Dixon’s departure from Chip Ganassi Racing after 25 years as the biggest story through 12 of 18 races in 2026. Dixon will join former Ganassi teammate Felix Rosenqvist at Arrow McLaren for the 2027 season. Rosenqvist’s Indianapolis 500 victory was highlighted as a major upset: he ran on the outside of two cars on the final lap and still won. Series journalists also cited Alex Palou’s dominant championship campaign — the Ganassi driver leads the field by more than a race’s worth of points with six rounds remaining, putting him on course for a record-tying fourth consecutive title.
Sources: IndyCar.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
IndyCar’s Dallara IR28 Poised for Maiden Track Test in Window Before Portland Race
The Dallara IR28, IndyCar’s new-for-2028 chassis, is set for its first track test during the three-week gap between the Nashville Superspeedway race and the August 9 Portland event, RACER reported July 19. At least two IR28 tubs are already housed at Dallara USA’s facility adjacent to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The initial shakedown is expected to use current-specification 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 engines from Chevrolet and Honda while both manufacturers continue developing their 2028-spec 2.4-liter powertrains. Sebring International Raceway’s short course and the IMS road course have been mentioned as possible test venues. Drivers for the first runs have not yet been named.
Siegel Points to Nashville Performance as Foundation for 2027 IndyCar Seat Search
Nolan Siegel said the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix gave him reason for optimism as the 21-year-old Arrow McLaren driver seeks a 2027 IndyCar seat. Arrow McLaren announced on July 6 it would not retain Siegel or Christian Lundgaard beyond this season, signing Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist for 2027 in their place. Siegel told reporters he is “talking to as many people as I can” and that staying in IndyCar is “certainly the goal.” The American sits 19th in the championship standings with 164 points and has six races remaining to show potential teams what he can do.
Drivers’ Championship
1. Alex Palou — 457 pts
2. David Malukas — 374 pts
3. Kyle Kirkwood — 370 pts
4. Christian Lundgaard — 353 pts
5. Patricio O’Ward — 336 pts
6. Josef Newgarden — 310 pts
7. Felix Rosenqvist — 296 pts
8. Scott McLaughlin — 295 pts
9. Marcus Ericsson — 250 pts
10. Rinus VeeKay — 237 pts
11. Scott Dixon — 236 pts
12. Graham Rahal — 229 pts
13. Marcus Armstrong — 225 pts
14. Will Power — 220 pts
15. Kyffin Simpson — 216 pts
16. Alexander Rossi — 197 pts
17. Santino Ferrucci — 196 pts
18. Louis Foster — 173 pts
19. Nolan Siegel — 164 pts
20. Dennis Hauger — 157 pts
21. Romain Grosjean — 155 pts
22. Christian Rasmussen — 151 pts
23. Caio Collet — 137 pts
24. Mick Schumacher — 132 pts
25. Sting Ray Robb — 123 pts
26. Conor Daly — 24 pts
27. Takuma Sato — 21 pts
28. Jack Harvey — 8 pts
29. Jacob Abel — 6 pts
Teams’ Championship
1. Team Penske — 979 pts
2. Chip Ganassi Racing — 909 pts
3. McLaren IndyCar Team — 858 pts
4. Andretti Global — 840 pts
5. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing — 555 pts
6. Meyer Shank Racing — 526 pts
7. Juncos Hollinger Racing — 360 pts
8. Ed Carpenter Racing — 353 pts
9. A.J. Foyt Enterprises — 338 pts
10. Dale Coyne Racing — 312 pts
11. Dreyer & Reinbold Racing — 32 pts
12. Abel Motorsports — 6 pts
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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