Honda Indy 200 Starts at 12:30 p.m. ET for 90 Laps at Mid-Ohio

Q: With Scott Dixon leaving his team of 25 years, who will Chip Ganassi Racing sign to fill his legendary seat?

Christian Lundgaard is the leading candidate to replace Scott Dixon at Chip Ganassi Racing. That is the strongest read from the current IndyCar driver-market picture around Mid-Ohio. Dixon’s announced exit after 25 years opens one of the most coveted seats in the series, and Lundgaard stands out because of both form and fit. The 24-year-old Arrow McLaren driver has two wins this season, including Road America, plus multiple podiums, and he has been especially strong on road courses—the kind of profile that aligns well with Ganassi’s performance standard. The broader market movement also supports that possibility. Dixon is widely expected to land at Arrow McLaren for 2027, and Felix Rosenqvist is also projected to join McLaren, creating pressure on McLaren’s current lineup. That has fueled speculation that Lundgaard could become available despite his stated desire to remain where he is. No signing has been officially announced by Chip Ganassi Racing, so this remains informed speculation rather than a completed deal. Other names could still surface as the market develops, especially with teams such as Meyer Shank Racing also evaluating options. But based on the available reporting and paddock buzz, Lundgaard is the most credible and prominent choice to take over Dixon’s seat alongside Alex Palou.

Q: As Arrow McLaren builds its new superteam, which rival will emerge to challenge them for the 2027 championship?

Chip Ganassi Racing looks like the most credible rival to Arrow McLaren for the 2027 IndyCar championship. The clearest reason is Alex Palou. He remains the series’ benchmark, leading the 2026 title fight and chasing another championship. Even with Scott Dixon leaving Ganassi after 2026 to join Arrow McLaren, Ganassi still has the driver most teams must beat over a full season. That gives CGR a proven foundation while Arrow McLaren reshapes around Dixon, Pato O’Ward and the expected addition of Felix Rosenqvist. Ganassi’s next move in the No. 9 car will be decisive. Christian Lundgaard is widely viewed as a logical target if he leaves Arrow McLaren, and he has strengthened his case with multiple wins in 2026. Other names tied to the wider market, including Dennis Hauger and Marcus Armstrong, underline that Ganassi should still be able to field a top-tier lineup beside Palou. Team Penske remains a serious threat, especially with Josef Newgarden’s pedigree and David Malukas’ rise, but its 2026 form has been less consistently dominant than Ganassi’s. Andretti Global also has the resources to contend, particularly if Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson stay in strong form, yet it still appears a step behind the Palou-led standard. So if Arrow McLaren’s new superteam becomes the headline story for 2027, Ganassi is still the team most likely to turn that into a two-team championship fight.

3 articles · Updated · FOX Sports · Jun 30

Sunday’s Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio takes the green flag at 12:30 p.m. ET, with the INDYCAR race set for 90 laps over 216 miles.
FOX will carry the race live, while streaming is available on FOX One, FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App.
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio is a 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course known for elevation changes, narrow sections and a difficult pit-lane entry.
The weekend schedule begins July 3 with Practice 1, followed by Practice 2 and qualifying on July 4, then warmup and the race on July 5.