It is official: the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES has reached the halfway point. Nine races down, nine to go. Already this year we’ve seen historic finishes, new tracks, and controversial decisions. But with more ovals, a new destination, and a brutal six-race run to end the season, it is not over just yet. As we reach INDYCAR’s mid-season, let’s look back and review what’s happened and who is standing out.
At first glance, the season looks a lot like previous years, with Álex Palou being an unstoppable force. He may be leading the championship once again, but the journey hasn’t been as straightforward for him this year. It is closer on track this year, and the one question on everyone’s mind is: can Palou be beaten?
Lead Changes, Firsts, and Historic Ends
The year started out with everyone questioning if this was the year that Palou could be challenged. A commanding victory in the opening race suggested that Palou would continue his almost faultless form into 2026. But the following races saw a mix up. Three races, three winners, and consequently three championship leaders.
Whilst Kyle Kirkwood held the championship lead for the first time in his career, it wasn’t long before Palou was back on top. The first half of the INDYCAR season saw plenty of firsts, with David Malukas and Marcus Ericsson both achieving maiden pole positions. And Felix Rosenqvist created history at the Indianapolis 500, winning by the smallest margin.
The opening nine races have seen five drivers start from pole and five winners. Only Palou and Josef Newgarden have tasted victory multiple times. As it stands, the No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing driver leads the standings. However, his 49-point lead is almost half of what he had at the midpoint in 2025.
Who Is Shining?
Palou may be leading the championship, but behind him it is a close call for championship positions. Despite fewer drivers on the grid compared to previous years, they all seem to have upped their game over the off-season. Best results are consistently being achieved this year, but some drivers are shining out through the competition. Of course, Palou is one of those, having four pole positions and wins so far. Somehow, he is getting stronger each year, but so is his competition.
Only 146 points separate the top 10 in the standings, and each race sees movement of where a driver sits. Unlike last year, when they struggled, Team Penske have all three of their drivers at the top. Meyer Shank Racing are the only other team to have all drivers in this list, showcasing their continued growth year-on-year. Whilst some front-running drivers are standing out, the lower drivers are also shining through. From consistent results to jaw-dropping moments, we now look at five who are emerging out of the field.
David Malukas
It is a tough challenge for anyone to jump in the No. 12 Team Penske following the departure of Will Power. But this year, Malukas is letting the legacy hold him back and is finding his footing in the top team. In only his second race for the outfit, he finally achieved his maiden pole at Phoenix. His strength in oval racing is shining through in 2026, having started on the front row of each oval race so far.
With three podiums and four front-row starts, Malukas is a true contender for the win this year. Whilst small mistakes have plagued him, with each race he seems to settle in more and more. Another second-place finish at the 500 was heartbreaking for the young driver, but it saw him briefly second in the championship. Malukas’s calm nature mixed with his patient racing style is proving why he is a top driver. It seems like it is a matter of when, not if, he achieves the long-awaited maiden win.
Christian Lundgaard
Another younger driver leading their team in the points is the No. 7 Arrow McLaren and Christian Lundgaard. Although the Arrow McLaren team seems to be further back compared to last year, Lundgaard is continually capitalising on on-track opportunities. Currently, he sits fourth in the championship, just ahead of teammate Pato O’Ward.
This year, Lundgaard is using his calculated and strategic driving style in races to continually make up points. His strength on road and street courses has been shining this year, allowing him to achieve three podiums. And he finally took his maiden win for the Papaya team after a stunning battle with Malukas in the closing laps at the Sonsio Grand Prix.
Felix Rosenqvist
Whilst further down the standings compared to the previous drivers, Felix Rosenqvist has been emerging from the crowd in recent rounds. After a slow start to the year, he made jaws drop with his precise pole-winning lap at Long Beach. Staying calm under the pressure from behind, he led the most laps of the race. A less than optimal final pit saw him lose the lead, but he still showed his hunger to be at the front.
His real shining moment, however, came at the 500. In a delayed qualifying session, the Swede was storming ahead of the field and leading the way. Whilst he didn’t achieve a second pole of the year, there was no doubt that he had speed and would be in the fight. Come the race, he was continually challenging up front. But opting for an alternate strategy gave him the best chance to fight at the end. And it came his way. Rosenqvist didn’t just win; he made history. It was an all-out battle on the final lap, and he beat out Malukas over the line.
Graham Rahal
It has been a season of two stories so far for Rahal and the No. 15 RLL Racing. The highs have been high, whilst the lows have been low. Despite that, there’s no question that the Rahal of old is starting to return, and he’s finding his footing again after a couple of years on the back burner. A double second-row start for Rahal and rookie teammate Mick Schumacher showed the leaps that his team have made over the off-season. But whilst Schumacher and Louis Foster have quietly been doing their races, Rahal has not been quiet.
He is another driver to hold multiple podiums this year. In 2026, Rahal is showing how well-rounded he is as a racer. His clean racing and patience on track have seen him make up ground throughout the races. After RLL Racing has struggled in recent years, he has brought them back to the podium and is showing that they can be a team to contend at the front.
Marcus Armstrong
Finally, a driver who is standing out due to his consistency on track is Rosenqvist’s teammate, Marcus Armstrong. This year, the young Kiwi is truly showing his potential on track as he battles the grid each race. Whilst he is yet to stand on the podium in 2026, he has been a consistent force, often racing near the front and finishing in the Top 11.
And, like his teammate, he stood out at the 500. Doing what many dream of, Armstrong led laps at the historic event. Leading at the final restart, he had a serious chance to take the glory. But, once again, the leader on the final stage was not to be the winner. Attacked on the restart, there was nothing he could do and ultimately became a part of the picture-perfect end for the final podium spot. Compared to other drivers, Armstrong has been quietly standing out. It’s not wins and poles but his consistency that sees him shining.
Honourable Mentions
The above are only a fifth of the INDYCAR grid. With 25 talented drivers making up the field, everyone has shone in some light in the first half of the 2026 season. Alexander Rossi also shines out for taking his best starting position for the 500 despite being injured. Whereas Josef Newgarden is emerging again after a troubling 2025. Once again, Kyle Kirkwood is right up there and challenging for the win.
The three rookies have also all shown why they’ve been given the chance to race. Dennis Hauger leads the rookies, but all three have had eye-catching moments on track. Each driver is showing their talent in 2026 and creating a season that has plenty of action to keep viewers hooked.
It’s the INDYCAR Mid-Season but It’s Not Over
At the halfway mark, Palou leads from Kirkwood and Malukas. Just looking at the results once again, it looks to be Palou’s playing ground. But as you dive deeper and look closer, you start to see emerging drivers, challenges being mounted, and shining moments for all.
With nine races left, there are plenty of points to be scored for all. We see some classic tracks, such as Road America and Laguna Seca. But we’ll also be treated to two more new tracks. The Canadian race moves north of Toronto to Markham. And INDYCAR celebrates the 250th birthday of the United States of America with a brand-new Washington, D.C. race. To end the season, drivers face a brutal run of six back-to-back races. Consistency and patience will pay out in the long run.
Palou leads, but with the grid closer than before, everyone is asking if this is the year the Spaniard can be beaten. INDYCAR kicks off the second half of the season next week; tune in to find out what unfolds.