INDYCAR Arlington: Drivers to Watch – Favorites & Sleepers for Inaugural Race
ARLINGTON, TX – The NTT INDYCAR SERIES makes history this weekend with the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, a street-circuit race promising a thrilling debut. While predicting a winner is a challenge, several drivers enter the weekend with momentum and a proven track record on similar courses. Coverage begins Sunday at on FOX, FOX One, the FOX Sports app, FOX Deportes and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls.
Favorites to Watch
The recent dominance of Honda on street circuits is a key storyline. Honda has secured 14 of the last 16 street-course victories dating back to Toronto in 2022, with Chip Ganassi Racing and Andretti Global accounting for all those wins. Pato O’Ward stands as the sole Chevrolet driver to break through in that span, claiming victories at St. Petersburg in 2024 and Toronto last season.
Scott McLaughlin – A Rising Star
Scott McLaughlin, piloting the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet, is demonstrating a clear upward trajectory on street courses. He significantly improved his average finish from 24.33 in 2024 to 12.0 in 2025. If this trend continues, a podium finish – or even a win – in Arlington is well within reach. McLaughlin’s strong start to the 2026 season, including an NTT P1 Award at St. Petersburg and a second-place finish there, coupled with a second and eighth-place result in the opening two races, positions him fifth in the points standings and as a serious contender.
Scott Dixon – Street Course Veteran
Scott Dixon, driving the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, continues to excel on temporary circuits. In his last 20 starts on street courses, he has secured four wins (Toronto 2022, Nashville 2023, Long Beach 2024, Detroit 2024) and an impressive 13 top-six finishes, with 10 of those results being fifth or better. Dixon acknowledged after a seventh-place finish at Phoenix Raceway that he needs consistently strong performances to remain competitive in the championship race, making a strong showing in Arlington crucial.
Alex Palou – Championship Contender
Alex Palou, in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, has consistently demonstrated his prowess on street circuits. He has only three finishes outside the top eight in his last 20 street races, achieving 10 podiums and 15 top-six results. This impressive run includes his victory at St. Petersburg in March. Palou also has a knack for winning inaugural INDYCAR SERIES races, having triumphed at both the 2023 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear and the 2025 The Thermal Club Grand Prix.
Will Power – Finding Speed
Will Power, driving the No. 26 TMG AI Honda, benefits from a car that started on the front row in all four street races last season. He has also achieved five top-six finishes in his last nine street-course starts. Despite qualifying crashes in the first two races of the 2026 season, Power has shown strong race-day speed, notably driving from last to first at Phoenix Raceway before a late-race incident.
Kyle Kirkwood – Street Course Specialist
Few drivers currently on the grid thrive on street circuits quite like Kyle Kirkwood. The driver of the No. 27 JM Bullion/ Gold.com Honda boasts four career wins on temporary courses, including victories at Long Beach and Detroit last season. He also led the series with a remarkable 3.25 average finish in four street races last year. Kirkwood’s strong start to 2026, with a fourth-place finish at St. Petersburg, has him currently second in the standings.
Sleepers to Consider
Pato O’Ward – Building Momentum
Pato O’Ward, in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, closed the 2025 season strongly on street circuits, securing a seventh-place finish in Detroit and a victory in Toronto. He has maintained a consistent eighth-place average finish on street courses over the past two seasons. O’Ward’s recent performances, including an eighth-place qualifying and fifth-place finish at St. Petersburg, and a seventh-place qualifying and fourth-place finish at Phoenix, suggest he’s building momentum.
Christian Lundgaard – Improved Performance
Christian Lundgaard, driving the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, achieved an eighth-place average finish on street circuits during his first season with the team last year. Despite qualifying 12th at St. Petersburg, the team quickly identified and addressed the issue, resulting in a strong third-place finish on race day.
Kyffin Simpson – Showing Potential
Kyffin Simpson, piloting the No. 8 Sunoco Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, demonstrated promising speed on street circuits last season, earning three top-10 finishes in four races, including a fifth-place finish in Detroit and a podium in Toronto. He improved from a 15th-place finish at St. Petersburg to 10th at Phoenix, indicating growing comfort, and performance.
Marcus Ericsson – Experienced Competitor
Marcus Ericsson, in the No. 28 InPwr Honda, is a three-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES winner on street circuits. Last season, he recorded finishes of sixth, 12th, 13th, and fifth in four street races. Ericsson began the 2026 season with a front-row start at St. Petersburg and finished sixth.
Felix Rosenqvist – Consistent Performer
Felix Rosenqvist, driving the No. 60 SiriusXM/Texas A&M Honda, has consistently performed well on street circuits, achieving a 7.33 average finish in four street races in 2024 and eight top-10 finishes in his last 13 street-course starts overall.
The inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington promises a competitive weekend, with a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars vying for victory. The track’s unique challenges and the potential for unpredictable racing will undoubtedly keep fans on the edge of their seats.