Five Drivers Ready for Breakout INDYCAR Seasons in 2026

Alex Palou has defined dominance in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES over the past six seasons, spending his rookie year in 2020 with Dale Coyne Racing and the last five with Chip Ganassi Racing.

In that span, the Spaniard collected 19 victories across 98 starts and four championships, including three consecutively from 2023-25.

But as 2026 approaches, several under-the-radar contenders could challenge his supremacy -- not only by winning races but by consistently running inside the top five, places they haven’t often occupied lately.

The 2025 season produced two breakout stars: Christian Lundgaard and Kyle Kirkwood.

Lundgaard, 24, didn’t capture a victory, but in his first season driving the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, the Danish driver delivered a career-best fifth-place finish in the championship. Lundgaard also doubled his career podium total – earning six in 2025 after recording just three over 52 starts with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Notably, the car he inherited had managed only four podiums in its previous 81 starts before his arrival.

Kirkwood, 27, of Andretti Global, also achieved a career-best fourth-place finish in points, claiming three wins, second only to Palou’s eight. Remarkably, those three victories matched his total from his first 52 career starts. He also earned his first oval victory June 15 at World Wide Technology Raceway.

Both drivers have moved beyond “breakout” status in 2025, as several others appear poised for major leaps forward next season.

Here are five drivers who could deliver breakout seasons in 2026:

Marcus Armstrong – No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian Honda

If Marcus Armstrong (photo, top) continues his steady climb, the 25-year-old New Zealander could emerge as a dark horse championship contender.

Armstrong, winless in 46 career starts, earned 2023 Rookie of the Year honors despite running only 12 of 17 races for Chip Ganassi Racing. He scored five top-10 finishes and placeed 20th in the standings.

A full-time move with Ganassi in 2024 brought progress – four top-five finishes, eight top-10s and a 14th-place points result. His switch to Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian in 2025 marked another step forward: two top-fives, 11 top-10s and a career-best eighth-place finish in points, leading 28 laps along the way.

That success was especially notable considering the No. 66 entry had finished 18th, 19th and 20th in the three previous seasons under a rotation of Tom Blomqvist, Helio Castroneves and David Malukas. Armstrong’s consistency has elevated MSR’s strength, and another leap could put him firmly in the championship conversation.

David Malukas – No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet

Still chasing his first career victory and NTT P1 Award after 61 starts, Malukas, 24, joins powerhouse Team Penske, a move that could spotlight his talent and supercharge his potential.

With Penske’s unmatched resources and engineering depth, Malukas (photo, above) has the platform to convert his raw speed into a breakout season.

He showed flashes with Dale Coyne Racing in 2022 and 2023 and with Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian in 2024. That progress continued at AJ Foyt Racing last season, where he qualified second three times -- including each of the final two races, both on ovals, a strong suit for him. Malukas also started seventh or better in nine of the final 12 events.

The Saturday qualifying speed hasn’t equated to race day success on a consistent basis. He has three career podiums and five top-five finishes. Expectations are that changes in 2026.

The bar is high: The last full-time Team Penske driver to go winless in his tenure with the team was Andre Ribeiro in 1998. That was his only season with Team Penske.

Christian Rasmussen – No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet

Christian Rasmussen is quietly becoming one of the series’ best oval performers.

He earned his first win in his 30th career start, Aug. 24 at the Milwaukee Mile.

Rasmussen, 25, of Denmark, closed the season with top-10 finishes in five of six oval races with ECR, ranking third in oval points across the field. However, if he is going to take the next step and become a true “breakout driver,” his road and street course form needs improvement.

Rasmussen (photo, above) ranked just 21st in points during those events last season, leading to 13th in the overall standings.

With growing confidence and a full year of experience under his belt after being part time with ECR in 2024, Rasmussen looks ready to build on his momentum and potential. This is the first-time in his career he’s driven for the same team and remained in the same series for three straight years.

Felix Rosenqvist – No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian Honda

One might argue that Felix Rosenqvist isn’t exactly a “breakout” driver, especially with seven seasons of NTT INDYCAR SERIES experience.

However, with just one victory in 113 career starts – a win that came 95 races ago at Road America in 2020 – he fits the profile for this list.

Rosenqvist (photo, above) also appears to be on the verge of a breakthrough. After joining Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian in 2024, he immediately elevated the team’s performance. The No. 60 Honda jumped from 25th in points in 2023 to 12th in his first year behind the wheel.

Last season, Rosenqvist finished sixth in the standings, matching his rookie campaign with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2019 for his best career result. He’s steadily closing in on a true breakout, and 2026 could be the year he finally doubles his win total.

One of those potential victories might come at the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 24. Rosenqvist has finished fourth twice in the last four years, including this past May, suggesting that elusive breakthrough could be within reach at the Brickyard.

Kyffin Simpson – No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda

Kyffin Simpson’s 2025 campaign erased doubts about his long-term potential. The Cayman Island driver demonstrated poise, adaptability and racecraft throughout his sophomore season.

After finishing 21st as a rookie in 2024, Simpson, 21, improved to 17th in points in 2025, fueled by a strong second half that included five top-10 finishes, all in the final 11 races. His season ended with a fierce battle against Scott McLaughlin for the final podium spot in the Nashville finale.

Entering his third year with Chip Ganassi Racing, Simpson (photo, above) looks ready to step out of the shadows of his championship-winning teammates Palou and Scott Dixon and establish himself as a consistent front-runner.