Team Penske is preparing for a strong return in the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series, aiming to leverage its long-standing partnership with Chevrolet for a major comeback. This Team Penske Chevrolet IndyCar preview examines the team’s legacy, key drivers, and strategies as they target renewed championship success next season.
Decades of Chevrolet Power Drive Ambitions
Team Penske’s collaboration with Chevrolet began in 1968 and has defined much of its racing identity. Over numerous seasons—spanning from 1968 through 1970, then from 1986 to 1993, and again from 2002 and 2012 through the upcoming 2026 season—Penske has trusted Chevrolet engines to deliver results across different eras of IndyCar competition. Notably, championship titles with Chevrolet have punctuated the team’s history, achieved by drivers like Danny Sullivan in 1988, Will Power in 2014 and 2022, Simon Pagenaud in 2016, and Josef Newgarden in 2017 and 2019.
Consistency and Experience: Josef Newgarden Leads the Way
Josef Newgarden anchors the Team Penske Chevrolet IndyCar Preview as one of the most accomplished drivers on the current roster. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Newgarden has piloted the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet in 181 starts powered by Chevy. His career includes 32 wins with Chevrolet (the most among active drivers since 2012), 19 poles, and 59 podiums—each first achieved at significant venues like Barber Motorsports Park and the Milwaukee Mile.
Despite a challenging 12th-place championship finish in 2025, Newgarden’s record is highlighted by his status as a two-time series champion and consistent race winner, with victories spanning 11 consecutive seasons. He has led over 4,500 career laps and holds top-20 rankings in several all-time IndyCar statistics. Newgarden’s technical support includes Strategist Jonathan Diuguid, Race Engineer Luke Mason, and Crew Chief Chad Gordon.
Newgarden reflected candidly on the past year and the path ahead, stating,
“If we don’t want to finish 12th in the standings, we’ve got to finish more races”
– Josef Newgarden, Driver. The transition from young talent to team veteran is not lost on him, as he also acknowledged,
“Fine. You know what, I am the old guy totally. I can’t believe I’ve been doing this for 15 years. I’ve always had a strong sense for what I’ve wanted. That part is not going to change. When I was young, now I’m older, I’ll still have the same projection in my voice on what I think we need to be doing. That part is going to be similar.”
– Josef Newgarden, Driver.
Scott McLaughlin’s Drive for Redemption
Scott McLaughlin, racing the No. 3 car, brings international flair to Team Penske from his roots in Christ Church, New Zealand, now based in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 85 starts with Chevrolet engines, McLaughlin has collected 7 wins, 11 poles, and 22 podiums. His best series finishes came recently, securing third place in both 2023 and 2024, but he landed 10th in the 2025 championship after a difficult year marked by unforced errors and missed opportunities.
The 32-year-old’s technical crew features Strategist Tim Cindric—instrumental in McLaughlin’s move from international racing to IndyCar—alongside Race Engineer Raul Prados, who previously contributed at A.J. Foyt Racing, and Crew Chief Trevor Lacasse. McLaughlin is open about the drive fueling his ambitions for 2026:
“I guess you could say it’s a bit of redemption in some ways. It was a terrible year on my part last year. I felt like we left a lot on the table.”
– Scott McLaughlin, Driver. He also emphasized the team’s renewed resolve, highlighting,
“There’s so much want to be back to where we want to be consistently, and I think there’s a refreshed sort of focus which has been really cool to be a part of and see. I’m really, really excited and just ready to go.”
– Scott McLaughlin, Driver.
David Malukas Poised for a Breakthrough Year
Rounding out Team Penske’s 2026 Chevrolet IndyCar Preview is David Malukas, representing the No. 12 entry. At just 24, the Chicago native stands out for being the newest face among the team’s primary drivers. 2025 saw Malukas finish 11th in the championship, achieving his first podium at the prestigious Indianapolis 500. With 17 starts for Chevrolet but not yet a win or pole, Malukas is looking to establish greater consistency in the coming season.
Supporting Malukas are Strategist Travis Law, Race Engineer James Schnabel, and Crew Chief Blaine Hardy. The young driver is focused on adapting to diverse circuits and maximizing every opportunity, telling reporters,
“To have consistency between all of them, that would be a successful year for me.”
– David Malukas, Driver. He further addressed the importance of patience and steady improvement:
“It’s just going to be trying to make sure we’ll get there, because eventually we will ge there. We’ll learn it, as I have with any other car previously. Not really too pressured on that. I think it’ll be fine.”
– David Malukas, Driver. Benefiting from proximity to the Chevy simulator in Charlotte, he added,
“And it’s a lot better because honestly, the big difference I’d say is just from an energy perspective because I would always do like the early morning flight and then go straight go the sim, so even just performance on the sim is definitely better now since I’m having a full proper sleep.”
– David Malukas, Driver.
Team Dynamics, Leadership, and Technical Partnerships
Team Penske’s 2026 campaign is set to benefit from a blend of established leadership, promising talent, and advanced technical partnerships. The crew comprises seasoned figures such as Tim Cindric (Strategist for McLaughlin), Jonathan Diuguid (Strategist for Newgarden), and innovative engineers like Luke Mason, Raul Prados, and James Schnabel. The team’s experience working with major entities in the racing world, including Arrow McLaren and Juncos Hollinger Racing, further sharpens its competitive edge.
Insights from past champions such as Simon Pagenaud and the legacy left by legends like Danny Sullivan and Will Power reinforce Team Penske’s culture of winning. The crew’s ability to adapt—across street circuits, ovals, and road courses—demonstrates its readiness for the diverse challenges that each season brings.
What Lies Ahead for Team Penske and Chevrolet
As the 2026 IndyCar season approaches, Team Penske is focused on recapturing its position at the forefront of North American open-wheel racing. The blend of veteran expertise and youthful optimism among drivers Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, and David Malukas is complemented by Chevrolet’s advanced technology and steadfast support. With a legacy of victories and a hunger to return to championship form, Team Penske’s long-standing commitment—to consistency, adaptation, and technical excellence—makes the squad one of the most intriguing forces to watch in the upcoming campaign. If the team’s current mindset and preparations are any indication, the 2026 season could mark a significant chapter in their storied Chevrolet partnership and IndyCar journey.
