With the start of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg fast approaching, Team Penske faces a pivotal year after a tumultuous 2025. The Team Penske 2026 preview centers on whether the iconic organization can recover performance and stability following internal changes and a challenging campaign.
Key Changes to Team Penske’s Lineup and Leadership
Heading into 2026, Team Penske’s driver roster includes Josef Newgarden in the No. 2 car, Scott McLaughlin driving the No. 3, and newcomer David Malukas piloting the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet. Power has exited the team, opening the door for Malukas, whose recent performances have shown strong potential.
The organization made significant adjustments after last season’s upheavals. Following penalties that affected Newgarden and Power’s qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, three senior management figures—including longtime team president Tim Cindric—departed. However, Cindric has since returned in a race strategist role for McLaughlin. Additional leadership transitions see Dave Faustino installed as technical director, with Ben Bretzman heading the engineering staff. These moves aim to lay a more stable foundation as the new season begins.
Recapping the Tumult of 2025
The previous season marked one of the most difficult stretches for Team Penske since 1999. The troubles began to mount after disciplinary actions at Indianapolis left Newgarden and Power starting at the back of the grid, and resulted in a reshuffling of organizational roles. McLaughlin’s promising pole position at St. Petersburg kicked off the year, but subsequent races offered few highlights until the fourth round at Barber Motorsports Park when McLaughlin claimed a third-place finish.
At the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in Round 5, Power finished third and McLaughlin took fourth, providing brief respite. But the penalties for the main event forced the trio into poor starting spots, and none managed to lead a lap. Final results at the 500 were tough: Power finished 16th, Newgarden 22nd, and McLaughlin suffered a race-ending crash before the green flag, leaving him in 30th. This disappointing outing marked the first time since Roger Penske’s return to the race in 2001 that the team failed to secure a top-15 finisher.
The following two months required regrouping for the squad. Power won a race at Portland, while Newgarden closed out his season with a victory at Nashville Superspeedway. Yet, these highs could not prevent the drivers from ending up ninth, tenth, and twelfth in the points standings. Meanwhile, Malukas impressed with a runner-up finish at Indianapolis for AJ Foyt Racing and fourth place at Iowa Speedway’s doubleheader, as well as three front-row starts in Detroit, Milwaukee, and Nashville. He placed 11th in the overall standings, remarkably splitting McLaughlin and Newgarden.
Looking Ahead: Rebuilding for 2026
The Team Penske 2026 preview spotlights not only drivers, but also a determination to restore form and confidence. The organization’s performance at the recent Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway indicated improvements, with all three cars running competitively under newer leadership structures. Dave Faustino oversees technical direction, and Ben Bretzman’s engineering stewardship aims to rally the technical crews for a unified push.
Contract uncertainty looms over Josef Newgarden, believed to be entering the final year of his current deal. Swift resolution could help reinforce stability, particularly as the team adjusts to the departure of Power, who struggled both on the track and in contract negotiations in 2025.
Areas That Need Attention for a Comeback
Reliability remains a pressing issue. Last year’s disappointment stemmed largely from an inability to finish races. All three primary Penske drivers saw the checkered flag in just 12 of the 17 events, tying for a lowly 23rd in the series in races completed, and ranking near the bottom among full-season competitors in laps finished.
What’s Next for Team Penske?
With renewed leadership and a roster that blends experience with new ambition, Team Penske looks to overcome the struggles of the past season and return to form. The spotlight is on Newgarden, McLaughlin, and Malukas as they aim to capitalize on offseason developments when they line up at St. Petersburg on Sunday. The question remains whether stability behind the scenes can translate to consistent results and a shot at championship contention in 2026.
