The 2026 IndyCar season is just some months away, and all groups however Dale Coyne Racing have confirmed their lineup. The foolish season started after Will Energy left Group Penske and joined Andretti World as Colton Herta made the transition to F2.
The identical led to a sequence of occasions, together with David Malukas’ transfer to Penske and Caio Collet to AFR. Alternatively, Dale Coyne Racing signed a technical alliance with Andretti World and introduced Dennis Hauger as their driver, as Rinus VeeKay left for Juncos Hollinger Racing.
JHR lately confirmed Sting Ray Robb as their second driver, which has left Dale Coyne Racing as the one obtainable seat for the 2026 IndyCar season, with a number of contenders for it. Let’s take a look on the High 3 contenders for the seat.
#3 Romain Grosjean
Romain Grosjean was changed by Sting Ray Robb at Juncos Hollinger Racing. After the 2024 season, the Frenchman was introduced because the reserve driver for PREMA Racing. Nonetheless, quickly after the 2025 season ended, rumors of Grosjean being one of many choices for DCR began circling the paddock.
The Frenchman is aware of the crew properly since he made his IndyCar debut with Dale Coyne Racing in 2021 after the fireball F1 crash in 2020. When questioned concerning the rumors on the IMSA race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Grosjean mentioned,
“My identify is being circulated, simply that my identify is being circulated, which is healthier than being not circulated. Nothing that I can share proper now however there is not any doubt that I need to be again in IndyCar, that I wish to do a full season.”
#2 Linus Lundqvist
Linus Lundqvist arrived on the IndyCar scene in 2023 as a part-time driver for Meter Shank Racing earlier than becoming a member of Chip Ganassi Racing for 2024. Nonetheless, Sweden was dropped for the 2025 season because the crew went from 5 full-time entries to a few following the constitution system.
Lundqvist has been linked to Dale Coyne Racing for the rest seat and has a previous relationship with the crew. The Seven received the 2022 Indy NXT championship racing for HMD Motorsports with/ Dale Coyne Racing. As per sources, Linus Lundqvist will not be capable to carry as a lot sponsorship cash as another drivers, however he’s solely a 26-year-old with IndyCar expertise beneath his belt.
#1 Conor Daly
Conor Daly has been reported as one of many favorites for the Dale Coyne Racing seat alongside Dennis Hauger. With JHR deciding to go together with Sting Ray Robb and Rinus VeeKay for 2026, Daly is at present and not using a seat. The Indiana-born was one of the vital spectacular oval drivers in 2025.
Additionally, given the truth that Dennis Hauger will likely be a rookie, it’s going to be necessary for the crew to have an skilled driver subsequent to him, a field which Daly ticks. Whereas Conor Daly reportedly would not have the total $8-10M in sponsorship required to run a full-season entry, he nonetheless has a large chunk of the required quantity.
Edited by Pranay Bhagi
