The king’s reign officially was extended for another year, as Alex Palou was presented with the Astor Challenge Cup for his fifth NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship – including a record-tying fourth in a row – at the Victory Lap celebration Sunday night, Sept. 6 at The Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach, California.

Celebrating Palou’s title was the highlight of a ceremony that included a variety of awards as the 2026 season ended with the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey on Sunday at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, a race won by Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske.

The top five drivers in the final standings – Palou, Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global, Christian Lundgaard and Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren and David Malukas of Team Penske – each were honored with presentations on the stage by host Lindsay Czarniak.

Ricky Davis

Palou’s honors were just part of the celebration of a record 18th INDYCAR SERIES championship season for Chip Ganassi Racing. Chip Ganassi also was saluted and spoke as the reigning championship team owner. Longtime CGR and Palou mechanic Ricky Davis was presented the Pennzoil Chief Mechanic Award (photo, above).

Among other awards, Dennis Hauger of Dale Coyne Racing received the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year award for being the top-scoring first-year driver in the championship. It was the second straight year Hauger received a major award, as he also won the INDY NXT by Firestone championship in 2025.

Honda and its Honda Racing Corporation USA division were honored for winning the manufacturers’ championship this season.

INDYCAR’s development series also took some of the spotlight, with newly crowned INDY NXT by Firestone champion Nikita Johnson of Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR being saluted on stage. Johnson, 18, became the youngest-ever champion in series history Sunday.

The 2027 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opens Sunday, March 7 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.