The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season is rapidly approaching, with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg set to kick off the action on March 1st. As teams finalize preparations, attention turns to Dale Coyne Racing, a mainstay in the series known for developing talent and occasionally pulling off surprising results. The team enters 2026 with a revamped driver lineup and a continued focus on leveraging engineering expertise, hoping to build on a 2025 season that showed flashes of potential. Understanding the team’s current state requires a gaze at their recent performance, the incoming drivers and the technical foundation they’ve established.
Dale Coyne Racing’s 2025 campaign featured Rinus VeeKay and rookie Jacob Abel. VeeKay, in particular, demonstrated consistent speed, achieving a ninth-place finish in the season opener at St. Petersburg and a strong fourth-place result at Barber Motorsports Park. He ultimately finished 14th in the championship standings, highlighted by a second-place finish in Toronto. VeeKay’s season was marked by 19 laps led and seven top-10 finishes, showcasing his ability to compete at the front of the field. Abel faced a more challenging rookie season, with an 11th-place finish in the second Iowa Speedway race being his best result. He notably failed to qualify for the prestigious Indianapolis 500. The team’s overall performance underscored both its potential and the challenges of consistently contending for wins in the highly competitive IndyCar Series.
A New Chapter: Grosjean and Hauger Join the Team
For 2026, Dale Coyne Racing welcomes Romain Grosjean, piloting the No. 18 BMax Honda, and Dennis Hauger, in the No. 19 Ault Block Chain Honda. This marks a return to IndyCar for Grosjean, who previously competed in the series in 2021, securing a pole position at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and finishing 15th in the championship. Hauger arrives as the reigning champion of the INDY NXT by Firestone series, having dominated the 2025 season with six wins and a 72-point advantage over runner-up Caio Collet. The addition of these two drivers represents a strategic shift for the team, blending experience with promising young talent.
Grosjean’s prior IndyCar experience provides a foundation of knowledge, although Hauger’s success in the feeder series suggests a high ceiling. Before joining Dale Coyne Racing, Grosjean spent five races in the IMSA SportsCar Championship with Lamborghini, achieving a season-best fourth-place finish at Road Atlanta. This diverse racing background could prove valuable as he adapts back to the IndyCar environment. Hauger’s transition from INDY NXT is expected to be closely watched, given his remarkable qualifying record in the series – starting on the front row for the first 12 races of the 2025 season and never starting lower than third.
Engineering Strength: A Key to Success
Beyond the driver changes, Dale Coyne Racing has focused on bolstering its engineering department. The team recently hired Bill Pappas, who will work directly with Grosjean, adding to an already strong group that includes Michael Cannon, who will be overseeing Hauger’s car. Mitch Davis and Mike Colliver also contribute to the team’s technical expertise. This emphasis on engineering is seen as a critical component of the team’s strategy, particularly as they prepare for the demanding Indianapolis 500. The team believes this combination of experienced engineers will be particularly beneficial at Indianapolis, a race where technical precision and strategic adjustments are paramount.
The team’s engineering depth is a notable asset in a series where technological advancements and data analysis play an increasingly important role. Having a dedicated engineer focused on each driver allows for a more tailored approach to car setup and race strategy. This individualized attention could be crucial in maximizing the performance of both Grosjean and Hauger, especially as they navigate the complexities of the IndyCar circuit.
Looking Ahead to St. Petersburg
The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season officially begins on Sunday, March 1st, with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The race, scheduled for noon ET, will be broadcast live on FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network. Dale Coyne Racing will be looking to make a strong start to the season with its new driver pairing and strengthened engineering team. The St. Petersburg street circuit presents a unique challenge, demanding precision and adaptability from both drivers, and engineers.
As the series prepares for its opening race, all eyes will be on Dale Coyne Racing to see how its investments in talent and technology translate into on-track performance. The team’s ability to capitalize on its engineering depth and effectively integrate its new drivers will be key to its success in 2026. The next official update will reach following the first practice sessions at St. Petersburg, providing an initial glimpse into the team’s competitiveness.
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