As the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season approaches, storylines abound.
From Alex Palou chasing a fourth consecutive title to the debut of the new street races in Arlington, Texas and Markham, Ontario, Canada to the return to Phoenix Raceway, there’s no shortage of intrigue entering next season.
But one underrated angle worth watching is simple: Which driver has the most to prove next season?
Palou continues to dominate every major category, earning 19 wins and four championships over the past five years. With the bar set sky-high, several drivers enter 2026 looking to reassert themselves.
Here are five with something to prove (and there are more that could be added to the list):
Marcus Ericsson, No. 28 Andretti Global Honda
Marcus Ericsson (photo, top) is believed to be entering a contract year, and he has much to prove.
The 35-year-old Swede was a consistent contender with Chip Ganassi Racing, finishing sixth in points in three of four seasons and capturing the 2022 Indianapolis 500, one of his four wins with the team. But since joining Andretti Global in 2024, results have been hard to come by with no wins, one podium and finishes of 15th and 20th in points.
Ericsson’s pace and experience suggest he is capable of more and 2026 could be his chance to show it.
Scott Dixon, No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
Few drivers have sustained success like Scott Dixon, yet even he faces new motivation heading into 2026.
Dixon (photo, above) won two championships and 16 races for Chip Ganassi Racing between 2003–2008, including the 2008 Indianapolis 500. Then came Dario Franchitti as a teammate, who reeled off three straight titles from 2009–2011 along with two Indy 500 wins. Dixon responded with four more championships from 2013–2020 and 21 victories.
Enter Palou in 2021 and four titles in five seasons later. Dixon finds himself in the longest championship drought of his career.
Now 45, the “Iceman” remains as dangerous as ever, with six titles and 59 wins to his name. He sits just one championship and eight victories shy of A.J. Foyt’s all-time records. Don’t bet against him closing that gap.
Josef Newgarden, No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet
Few seasons have been tougher for Josef Newgarden than 2025.
Team Penske as a whole struggled, and Newgarden (photo, above) felt it the most by finishing 12th in points, the worst final standing for a Penske driver since 2021 when Scott McLaughlin finished 14th as a rookie. It marked his only single-win campaign since joining the team in 2017, that lone victory coming in the season finale at Nashville Superspeedway.
Before 2025, Newgarden had finished first, fifth, first, second, second, second, fifth and eighth in points -- a remarkable run that included five multi-win seasons.
Turning 35 this month, Newgarden strives to rebound like Simon Pagenaud did in 2016, when he followed a disappointing debut where he finished 11th in the final standings, his first with the team, then returned with a five-win championship year. The talent is still there.
Will Power, No. 26 Andretti Global Honda
No driver faces a bigger career reset than Will Power.
After 17 seasons, 42 of his 45 wins and 66 of his 71 poles with Team Penske, including the 2018 Indianapolis 500 and championships in 2014 and 2022, Power’s long-term future with the team grew uncertain, leading him to join Andretti Global for 2026.
He takes over a car that Colton Herta previously drove to seven wins and 13 poles and while Power owns an INDYCAR-record 71 poles, one elusive stat remains: he’s never earned the pole for the Indianapolis 500.
At age 45, Power (photo, above) still has the speed and plenty of motivation to prove he’s far from finished.
Rinus VeeKay, No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
Rinus VeeKay is betting on himself in 2026.
The 25-year-old Dutchman (photo, above) impressed with Dale Coyne Racing last season, finishing 14th in points -- the team’s best result since 2019. Rather than return, he joins Juncos Hollinger Racing, another small but ambitious outfit still seeking its first INDYCAR SERIES win.
VeeKay reunites with Ricardo Juncos, who guided him to the 2018 Pro Mazda Championship and a runner-up finish in the 2019 INDY NXT by Firestone standings. Their shared history could be the foundation for JHR’s next breakthrough.
The team’s best points finish was 16th by Callum Ilott in 2023.
