Scott Dixon embarks on his 25th season with Chip Ganassi Racing, determined to compete at the highest level and build upon last year’s results. As he sets his sights on improved championship outcomes, Dixon carries the proud momentum of being honored with a knighthood from New Zealand—a recognition that deeply resonates with him personally and professionally.
Reflecting on his connection to his homeland, Dixon emphasized the significance of national support throughout his career.
I think as far as coming from your country, I’ve always loved and been very proud to fly the flag for New Zealand, and what it gave me as a young person growing up over there, and the support that I had from fellow Kiwis to get me to race in different countries has been huge,
he shared during media day.
Determined to Compete for Victories After Challenging Season
A thorough offseason review allowed Dixon and the Chip Ganassi Racing team to analyze struggles from the previous year, aiming to address the errors and uncontrollable factors that hindered performance. Despite a challenging 2025 season, which included a win from ninth place at Mid-Ohio and six top-five finishes, Dixon was left unsatisfied with his third-place championship finish.
I think last year was just a bit of a downer year for us,
Dixon admitted. He recognized mistakes both on and off the track and stressed the team’s commitment to improvement:
We had lots of things out of our control, as well, [but] I’m looking forward to it. We had a big deep dive in the off-season, and then there was lots of positives and things that we kind of already knew, and then definitely some bits I could have executed a little bit better on.
Technical adjustments remain a focus, as Dixon pinpointed areas where his driving style and engineering could better align, while praising the continuity of his pit crew from last year. Despite these efforts, Dixon is clear about his ultimate goal: top podium finishes.
Yeah, but third for me still sucks,
he said bluntly.
You want to be winning, so that’s all that really matters. It’s an interesting time because I remember clearly when I first came into the sport, and it doesn’t seem that long ago.
He added,
We’re very lucky to do what we do. I feel great to be in this position. But ultimately, you just want to win. Not many people remember who came third last year. They only remember the champion.
Respect for Competition Within His Team
Dixon’s primary rival and teammate, four-time champion Alex Palou, continues to set the benchmark with his consistent high-level performances. Recognizing Palou’s dedication, Dixon acknowledged the unpredictable variables that influenced last season’s outcomes but also underscored Palou’s status in the sport.
Yes, there’s some times where it’s like, that definitely rolled your way. That was one of those seasons. I’ve been in one of those seasons, too, where anything you do strategy-wise or the lap you choose in qualifying, it kind of just plays off,
Dixon reflected. He described Palou’s back-to-back championships as
the standard right now and [the person] who everybody is chasing.
New Circuits Present Fresh Tests for the Season
The upcoming IndyCar schedule includes returns to familiar locations such as Arlington, Texas, Washington D.C., and Arizona, alongside a notable addition—a new track layout in Markham, Ontario, replacing the longstanding Toronto street race. Having tested extensively at Phoenix Raceway in November, Dixon and Alexander Rossi completed 20-lap runs, assessing the track’s conditions and evolving dynamics.
Dixon highlighted the potential impact of track configuration changes, stating,
if you get a full field doing it, it could transition pretty quickly. The other thing, too, is how the [NASCAR] Cup tyre reacts to Firestone [tyres] is really a big unknown, as well.
He elaborated on the challenge of the single-lane straightaway at Phoenix, where positioning is critical:
It makes that big straight [a] single lane a little bit just with how you can place the car and nobody can go around you. But if that second lane comes in, it would be a game changer.
Regarding the new Canadian venue, Dixon expressed mixed feelings about the move from Toronto to Markham.
It’s a shame, I think, with losing the one there by the convention center,
he said, while also recognizing the benefits of the new location:
But I’m excited there’s a new place, and I think they really did their homework on the demographics and understanding where people are coming from and where they’re coming from locally or from different areas outside of Toronto.
Having won four times on the Streets of Toronto, with his latest victory in 2022, Dixon hopes the Markham track will prove equally favorable as he aims to climb the championship standings this season.
Implications for the Championship Scan
Scott Dixon’s intent to move beyond third place signals a renewed intensity for the season ahead, motivated by lessons learned and a desire to clinch wins rather than settle for podium finishes. His respect for teammate Alex Palou’s achievements adds complexity to their intra-team rivalry, while the inclusion of new circuits injects fresh unpredictability into the IndyCar Championship chase.
With the Chip Ganassi Racing team building on their past experiences and adjusting for evolving challenges, Dixon’s championship goals remain clear: to secure victories and reinforce his legacy as one of the sport’s elite.
