The NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to track this week after a much needed rest. The last round at Road America brought highs and lows across the grid. Drivers will be looking to either continue momentum or bounce back as they come to Mid-Ohio. The 11th round of the 2026 calendar is the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. It is an all-rounder track that requires balance and precision.
Last year, Mid-Ohio provided Scott Dixon with his 58th win. His conservative strategy of saving fuel and staying out saw him work his way up the field. A mistake from his teammate, Álex Palou, allowed Dixon to capitalise and make it through to claim victory. In 2026, Dixon will be hoping to bounce back from the struggles he’s faced this year to take back-to-back wins here.
The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
The track is located on the hills of Lexington, Ohio and has been home to INDYCAR events for nearly 20 years. Mid-Ohio is a 2.258-mile track that consists of 13 turns with elevation changes, technical corners and a narrow racing surface of 40 feet. Regarded as ‘the most competitive in the U.S.’, Mid-Ohio hosts a range of series and even has it’s own driving school.
To start a lap, drivers face The Keyhole (Turn 2); a double-apex right-hander that tests how precise they can be. Getting your braking right is crucial here. Further along, after a section of flowing ‘esses’, drivers contend with Thunder Valley. Starting with the blind Turn 9, drivers then face a steep elevation change through Turns 10 and 11.
To finish the lap comes one of the most infamous corners in INDYCAR – The Carousel. Turn 12 is a difficult corner of almost 360 degrees. A blind entry and a range of lines available can catch drivers out. So, it’s important that they stay aware and precise. The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is not known for an abundance of overtaking spots, so clean, precise lines and patience are rewarded.
Scott Dixon’s Track Dominance
Chip Ganassi Racing’s own Scott Dixon has built up a lengthy and impressive racing record when it comes to Mid-Ohio. He holds the record for most INDYCAR victories at the track with seven wins, his most recent one being last year. Dixon’s successes stem from fuel-saving strategies, tire management and patience during longer stints.
Some of his most notable wins at Mid-Ohio include his 2014 victory when he came from 22nd on the grid to the top step. In 2019 fans witnessed the closest Mid-Ohio finish in INDYCAR’s history. Dixon held off his former teammate Felix Rosenqvist and won by a margin of 0.0934 seconds.
Testing at Mid-Ohio
During the week off, six teams opted to do their private testing at Mid-Ohio. 14 drivers had a day to test the track, cars, and engines. Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood led the way, with a best lap time of 1:05.354. The team made up the top four with Rinus VeeKay in second splitting them up.
IMSA driver Felipe Nasr was testing in place of Josef Newgarden. The Brazilian races for Porsche Penske Motorsport in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, and is Team Penske’s reserve driver. As Newgarden recovers from his Indy 500 injury, Nasr has been on standby to step in. Whilst he hasn’t been needed in the race weekends, he did do the testing. Is this a sign he’ll be jumping in this weekend, or was Newgarden just opting for some more recovery time?
It was a disappointing test for Marcus Armstrong. After leading the majority of Road America, an engine failure saw him DNF just before the end. Losing out on his maiden win in a heartbreaking way was then followed by a crash at the Mid-Ohio test. He’ll be hoping he got the accidents out of the way, allowing him to excel during the race weekend.
The Calm Before The Storm
As we enter the 11th round, Palou leads the standings. With only a 60 point lead, it is not a done deal that he’ll achieve a fifth championship. This year, more challengers are rising, making the top 10 in the standings a competitive and fluctuating list. After a second place finish at Road America, David Malukas has risen to second, just one point clear of Kyle Kirkwood. But two wins have seen Christian Lundgaard jump up to fourth, 40 points clear of his teammate Pato O’Ward.
The big news ahead of the race is that Felix Rosenqvist will be leaving Meyer Shank Racing. After three years in the No. 60, the Indy 500 winner will be leaving at the end of the year. Nothing has been confirmed on his 2027 seat, but rumours have him returning to Arrow McLaren, or joining Andretti Global.
The next few races will hold a lot of emphasis on the championship. Not only are we officially in the second half of the season, there’s non-stop racing action in August where every point will be crucial. With minimal breaks drivers have to put their all into the rest of the season.
Schedule
The schedule for the weekend is as follows. Please note that timings are in CEST.
Eight rounds remain for INDYCAR in 2026. Palou leads the way, however it remains a close battle. Keep an eye out on Malukas as he looks to achieve a maiden win. And don’t count Lundgaard out, with two race wins this year he is flying up the leaderboard.
As the season continues to get deeper into the summer stretch, Mid-Ohio serves as a pivotal point in the championship battle. With only two races in July, the results of these next couple of races will be an indicator of what the championship title fight will look like towards the later stages of the season in August. Don’t miss out on the action.