IndyCar for Beginners: Teams and Drivers
IndyCar, the adrenaline-fueled spectacle of American open-wheel racing, is a turbocharged thrill ride like no other. Picture sleek, high-tech speed machines tearing up the track at mind-bending speeds, with drivers pushing the limits of human and machine. From the legendary Indy 500 to heart-pounding street circuits, IndyCar delivers non-stop action, drama, and nail-biting finishes, making it a must-watch for motorsport enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. So rev up your engines and get ready for the ultimate rush on wheels!
As you might now, just like Formula 1, NASCAR, MotoGP, and almost all other motorsports, IndyCar is also buildup of different teams, 11 to be exact. In this article we will give you a comprehensive overview of all of them and their drivers!
Team Penske
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You might know this team from NASCAR, but they also have an IndyCar team! Team Penske is a powerhouse in IndyCar racing, boasting a magnificent history of success and dominance. Founded by Roger Penske in 1966, the team has amassed a record 18 Indianapolis 500 victories and 17 IndyCar championships, making it one of the most successful teams in motorsport history. With their current driver line up consisting of Josef Newgarden, Will Power, and Scott McLaughlin, the team consistently competes at the front of the grid, showcasing precision engineering and strategic prowess. Josef Newgarden is a two-time NTT IndyCar Series champion and his dominating performance in 2016 at Iowa Speedway set an IndyCar record for most laps led by a race winner. Just like Newgarden, Will Power is also a two-time NTT IndyCar Series champion, but besides that he is also winner of the 2018 Indianapolis 500. Will is also IndyCar’s all-time record holder for pole positions. Scott McLaughlin was named the 2021 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year and the 2021 NTT IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year. Even though it is a prestigious team with a rich history, the integrity of Team Penske was recently put into question by the paddock after IndyCar officials disqualified race winner Newgarden and third-place finisher McLaughlin for illegal use of the push-to-pass system in last month’s season-opener.
Arrow McLaren
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Arrow McLaren is a collaborative effort between two entities you are probably all too familiar with from other motorsport series: Arrow Electronics and McLaren Racing. This partnership brings together the expertise of Arrow’s advanced technology solutions and McLaren’s legendary racing legacy. Competing in NTT IndyCar, the team fields up a lineup of talented drivers. They currently have 4 drivers on the grid, namely Théo Pourchaire, Alexander Rossi, Kyle Larson, and Patricio “Pato” O’Ward. You might know Alexander from his podcast “Off Track with Hinch & Rossi” in which they talk about their lives as IndyCar drivers, it is meant to highlight their off-the-track lives, including their unfiltered opinions on what’s trending in popular culture. This podcast is also a really fun way to get to know more about IndyCar! You might also know Pato O’Ward as the current reserve driver of the McLaren F1 team. With its focus on innovation and performance, the team aims to continue its climb in the highly competitive world of IndyCar. Théo Pourchaire, 2023 Formula 2 champion, replaced David Malukas, who continues to recover from surgery to repair injuries to his left wrist suffered in a preseason mountain biking accident. Other than a few hybrid assist tests with the team, Malukas had yet to turn the wheel of the No.6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet in an actual race since joining the team. Before Pourchaire joined the team, it was Calum Ilott who served as a substitute driver for David Malukas.
Meyer Shank Racing
A respected name in the world of motorsport, Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) is known for its passion, perseverance, and dedication to excellence. It was founded by Michael Shank in 1989, and ever since then the team has steadily climbed the ranks, earning recognition for its competitive spirit and strong work ethic. Their current lineup consists of Felix Rosenqvist, Tom Blomqvist, and Helio Castroneves. Felix Rosenqvist was the 2019 NTT IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year and also won the Formula 3 championship in 2015. Besides those achievements, he also raced in Formula E where he won 3 races. Just like his teammate, Tom Blomqvist also raced in Formula 3 and Formula E with multiple successes, but besides that he also raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA. Unlike his two teammates Helio Castroneves did not race in either Formula E or Formula 3, but he did win the Indianapolis 500 four times! He has 31 wins and 50 poles, and won his first race in the 2000 season. MSR continues to make its mark as a rising star in IndyCar, embodying the spirit of underdog determination.
Chip Ganassi Racing
If you are familiar with Formula 2 and Formula 3 you might know one of the drivers of this team already; Marcus Armstrong made the step to IndyCar last year after having experienced two difficult seasons in F2 and leaving the Ferrari Driver Academy. Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) stands as a titan in the world of motorsport, boasting a legacy of excellence and achievement across multiple racing disciplines, such as NASCAR for example. Founded by Chip Ganassi in 1990, the team has become synonymous with success, collecting numerous championships and prestigious victories. Besides Marcus Armstrong, the team also fields other astonishing drivers Alex Palou, Scott Dixon, Linus Lundqvist, and Kyffin Simpson. Scott Dixon is said to be the greatest IndyCar driver of his generation and one of the all-time greats since the sport was formed. He won 6 championships in the span of less than 20 years (2003, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020). In 2021 and 2023 it was Alex Palou that delivered them the championship.
Andretti Autosport
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Andretti Autosport is one of the powerhouses in NTT IndyCar, led by racing legend Michael Andretti, who raced alongside Ayrton Senna for the McLaren F1 team in 1993. The team has built a reputation for greatness, boasting multiple championships and victories in some of the sport’s most iconic races. They recently tried to join Formula 1 for the 2025 and 2026 season, but their bid got rejected. At the moment they are trying to get accepted for the 2028 season. At the moment, their driver Colton Herta, is first in the standings with 101 points. Their other drivers on the grid are Kyle Kirkwood, Marcus Ericsson, and Marco Andretti. Marcus Ericsson raced five seasons with Sauber in Formula 1 and won a championship in both British Formula BMW and Japanese F3. He also had multiple race starts in British F3 and GP2 (now called Formula 2).
Ed Carpenter Racing
Just like most other teams on the grid, Ed Carpenter Racing has a very rich history. Born from the adrenaline-soaked dreams of Ed Carpenter himself, this team has been carving its name into the annals of IndyCar history since the start. Carpenter’s strategic brilliance and fearless driving make him a force to be reckoned with. Besides Ed Carpenter himself, the other drivers for this team are Christian Rasmussen and Rinus VeeKay. With well over 350 race starts, 2024 will mark Ed Carpenter Racing’s 13th season of NTT IndyCar competition. VeeKay is the longest-tenured full-time driver in ECR’s history and will compete with no. 21 for a fifth consecutive year. Danish rookie Christian Rasmussen will drive in the 12 road and street course events on the heels of his 2023 Indy NXT championship (formerly Indy Lights).
A.J. Foyt Enterprises
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Led by A.J. Foyt himself, this team has been around for a long time and knows how to win races. A.J. Foyt won 7 national championships, a record that is yet to be beaten, and won his first IndyCar race in 1960. They currently host two drivers on the grid: Santino Ferrucci and Sting Ray Robb. Santino Ferrucci used to race in FIA Formula 3 and FIA Formula 2, and he became the youngest winner of a British Formula 3 race at the age of only 16! Sting Ray Robb won the 2020 USF Pro 2000 championship and has raced Formula Car Challenge and NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. Build upon a foundation of fervor and dedication, the team earns admiration on the racetrack, consistently demonstrating their unwavering drive for triumph, which has become synonymous with their reputation.
Dale Coyne Racing
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Dale Coyne Racing has been active in IndyCar for over 40 years already “characterized by consistent progress and a commitment to excellence,” as they themselves say it! They are known for their collaborative approach, working seamlessly with their partners to secure funding and enhance competitiveness. One of their key strengths lies in their ability to spot and nurture young talent, providing a valuable platform for emerging drivers to showcase their skills. Their current drivers are Colin Braun, Luca Ghiotto, Jack Harvey, and Nolan Siegel. For this year’s Indianapolis 500 they will also host female driver Katherine Legge. In 2012, Legge became just the ninth woman to qualify for the Indy 500, following Guthrie who was the first in 1977, and is the only female driver entered in this year’s race. She will be backed by cosmetics brand e.l.f., who will have a prominent position on the car. Nolan Siegel returns to the series after an amazing rookie season with two race wins, six top-five finishes and nine top-10 finishes in 2023.
Juncos Hollinger Racing
Juncos Hollinger Racing, formerly known as Juncos Racing, is an Argentine-American racing team competing in IndyCar, Indy NXT, and USF Pro 2000 Championship series in the Road to Indy ladder for IndyCar. The team was formed in 1997 by owner Ricardo Juncos and it was initially based in Argentina before limited racing opportunities that led to the team moving to the United States where it is currently based in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2021, Williams F1 shareholder Brad Hollinger partnered with the team, which led to the name of the team changing to Juncos Hollinger Racing. You might know one of their drivers as the Phoenix, this year ex Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean is driving for them. He earned his nickname due to his remarkable comeback in motorsport following a terrifying crash during the 2020 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix. His car burst into flames upon impact with a barrier, splitting in half and leaving him trapped in the wreckage. Despite the severity of this crash, Grosjean miraculously escaped with relatively minor injuries. Their other driver is the Argentinian racer Agustín Canapino, this year’s season marks his second season with the team. Before he joined the IndyCar series, his career included 15 national championships in Argentina, including Super TC2000, Top Race V6, and Turismo Carretera categories titles. He also has endurance race experience driving in the Rolex 24 At Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring with Juncos Racing in 2019.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
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Headquartered in Zionsville, Indiana and Hilliard, Ohio, we can find Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. It is co-owned by 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, former television talk show host David Letterman, and businessman Mike Lanigan. The team was established in 1991 as Rahal/Hogan Racing, became Team Rahal in 1996, and was known as Rahal Letterman Racing from May 2004 till December 2010. Throughout the team’s history in IMSA with factory partner BMW, the team has run under the name BMW Team RLL. They currently host 3 drivers fulltime, which are Christian Lundgaard, Graham Rahal, and Pietro Fittipaldi. The name Fittipaldi might sound familiar to you if you are a Formula 1 or Formula 2 fan, Pietro Fittipaldi is the older brother of F2 driver Enzo Fittipaldi and grandson of 2-time Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi. Besides IndyCar, Pietro has also raced in NASCAR, Formula 4, FIA Formula 3, and is the current reserve driver of Haas F1 Team. Graham Rahal is the son of Bobby Rahal, and a seasoned IndyCar driver. He was the youngest driver to win a race, start a race, and win a pole position at one point in the IndyCar series. He takes great pride in his philanthropic efforts away from the track. In 2009 he formed the Graham and Courtney Rahal Foundation together with his wife, which is dedicated to helping veterans and finding a cure for cancer. Besides Pietro and Graham, the team also hosts the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year, Christian Lundgaard. Before joining IndyCar, Lundgaard was an Alpine Junior racer who spent two seasons in the FIA Formula 2 Championship and claimed two wins and six podiums in 2020. He also won SMP and Spanish F4 championships and scored a win in F3. For this year’s Indianapolis 500 the team hired the Japanese driver Takuma Sato, he is a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner. Sato was the first Japanese driver to win an IndyCar race and the first to win the Indianapolis 500. He previously raced in Formula 1.
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
The team was founded in 1999 by Indianapolis car dealer Dennis Reinbold, but the history of the team goes far back. As they explain it themselves “the legacy of the Dreyer and Reinbold family dates back to the 1920s with Reinbold’s grandfather, the legendary Floyd “Pop” Dreyer, a former factory motorcycle racer. Dreyer served as a crewman and mechanic on the famed Duesenberg driven by Benny Shoaff and Babe Stapp in the 1927 Indy 500. Dreyer went on to build Indy 500 cars in the 1930s which many started on the front row. In addition, Dreyer constructed championship-winning sprint cars and midgets as well as quarter midgets called Dreyerettes.” The team captured its first win in 2000 with driver Robbie Buhl at Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando, Florida. Now, in 2024, it is Conor Daly and Ryan Hunter-Reay that are driving for the team. Conor Daly is the son of Derek Daly, who competed in Formula 1 and IndyCar for over a decade, and his stepfather, J. Douglas Boles, is the president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Conor’s career includes wins in USF Pro 2000 and Indy NXT by firestone, and the 2010 USF Pro 2000 title. Their other driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay is recognized as one of the most successful American open-wheel racing drivers with an IndyCar career that spans two decades. He won the IndyCar season in 2012 and has a total of 18 career wins, including a victory in the 2014 Indianapolis 500.
