Five Drivers Who Helped Their Stock the Most in 2026

Like athletes in other sports, race car drivers have the chance to prove something each time they lower their helmet visor and drive out of their car’s pit box. The moment can come in a test, an official practice, qualifying or a race. Each is an audition.

In 2026, the performances of some drivers showed their current teams they were worthy of continued employment. Other drivers made compelling cases to opposing teams as well.

All the on-track results helped shape the 25-car grid for next season, with 15 drivers expected to remain with their current teams and 10 others taking new seats.

Some drivers helped themselves more than others. Here are five among the former:

Felix Rosenqvist

There is no overstating what a career-defining moment Rosenqvist (photo, above) produced on the last lap of this year’s Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.

The Swede has always been highly regarded, and those who have worked with him have repeatedly praised him as a terrific teammate. But until May, his NTT INDYCAR SERIES highlight was a single race win in a 2020 doubleheader at Road America.

Rosenqvist not only parlayed his “500” victory into a signature moment in the event’s long history, but it almost certainly was the final piece to Arrow McLaren signing him away from Meyer Shank Racing.

In his new gig, Rosenqvist will work with fellow Indy 500 winners Scott Dixon and Ryan Hunter-Reay, plus two-time runner-up Pato O’Ward. The combination should give Arrow McLaren its best chance to return to Victory Lane at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Christian Lundgaard

The Dane landed on his motorsport feet exceptionally well after Arrow McLaren chose not to retain him. But make no mistake: Lundgaard earned his way to Chip Ganassi Racing.

Lundgaard (photo, above) won two races this season, finishing second three times and third twice. He led eight races and finished third in the standings (one position ahead of teammate O’Ward).

Lundgaard still needs to prove he can win an oval race, but history is stocked with drivers of his ilk who needed time to excel on circle tracks. Perhaps Chip Ganassi’s organization can provide the information and the direction to do just that, and don’t sleep on the fact Lundgaard finished third and sixth in this year’s doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile.

It added up to a seat on a team that has won 18 championships in the 26 years since 1996, including six of the past seven with two different drivers (Dixon and Palou).

David Malukas

A show of hands please: Who had Malukas, in his first season with Team Penske, leading all Roger Penske drivers in points in 2026?

Malukas (photo, above) nearly became the driver to deliver Penske a record 21st Indy victory. The Chicago native was still ahead of Rosenqvist until the final few feet of the 200-lap event, finishing second by a scant .0233 of a second, the closest 1-2 margin in race history.

Malukas also finished second in two road course races (at IMS and Road America) and an oval race (Milwaukee).

Malukas began the year on a new multiyear contract, so perhaps he didn’t specifically improve his standing in 2026. But his confidence for next season and beyond has to be sky high.

Marcus Armstrong

It might seem odd for a driver who proclaimed his goal to finish in the top five – but finished 14th – to have helped himself in 2026. But Armstrong did, leading Indy coming to the white flag (photo, above) and leading by 4 seconds at Road America with five laps remaining before a mechanical failure cost him his first series victory.

Maybe it’s best to say Armstrong continued to help himself because Meyer Shank Racing didn’t make the decision to sign the New Zealander to a new contract and make him its lead driver for 2027 based on one season alone. But now he’s the team leader, replacing the departed Rosenqvist in the No. 60 car.

Second-year series driver Mick Schumacher will replace Armstrong in the team’s No. 66 car.

Marcus Ericsson

Ericsson (photo, top) went from 20th in the standings in 2025 to seventh this year, the largest jump by any driver in 2026.

But Ericsson did more than statistically improve – he won a race and solidified his spot at Andretti Global for another season.

Ericsson won the first Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham street race by recovering from a late pit stop to score his first victory since 2023. The win also was his first with Andretti Global.

By retaining his seat in Andretti Global’s No. 28 car, Ericsson is positioned along with Kyle Kirkwood and Will Power as the team makes a run at Chip Ganassi Racing’s spot as the best team in the INDYCAR SERIES.