As Scott Dixon begins his 25th season with Chip Ganassi Racing, the New Zealander is determined to elevate his championship challenge by securing top finishes consistently. Building on his previous experiences, Dixon is focused on competing at the highest level throughout the IndyCar season, aiming to improve on last year’s results and claim more victories.
Recently honoured with knighthood in New Zealand, Dixon expressed how deeply meaningful the recognition is to him, reflecting his pride in representing his home country on the international racing stage.
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,
Dixon said during media day.
This blend of personal pride and professional ambition is fueling his drive as he embarks on another competitive season in IndyCar racing.
Learning from Last Year’s Challenges to Push for Victory
After a careful off-season review with Chip Ganassi Racing, Dixon is optimistic about addressing the setbacks of last year while maintaining confidence in his team. Despite a comparatively disappointing 2025 campaign, he acknowledges both controllable errors and uncontrollable circumstances that impacted performance.
I think last year was just a bit of a downer year for us,
Dixon admitted.
Lots of little mistakes here and there. We had lots of things out of our control, as well. 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.
He also mentioned improvements on the engineering side tailored to his driving style and confirmed the pit crew lineup remains stable, ensuring critical teamwork stays consistent.
I think there’s a few things [on the] engineering side that we can definitely do better on, as well, for driving style differences and things like that. The pit crew stays exactly the same as last year. A couple small changes on the stand.
During the previous season, Dixon recorded a memorable win starting from ninth at Mid-Ohio and secured six top-five finishes, which placed him third overall behind Pato O’Ward. Despite this strong showing, he remains dissatisfied with finishing outside the top two.
Yeah, but third for me still sucks,
he reflected.
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. 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.
Respecting a Fierce Rival and Valued Teammate
Four-time champion Alex Palou, Dixon’s teammate and main competitor, is regarded with respect for his exceptional consistency and relentless dedication. Dixon recognizes Palou as the benchmark in the series and acknowledges the challenges of competing against such a formidable rival.
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 explained.
He added that Palou’s achievement of consecutive championships has set a high standard that every driver now aspires to reach.
The standard right now [is] a back-to-back championship and [the person] who everybody is chasing,
Dixon noted.
Facing Fresh Tracks and New Competition Conditions
The 2026 IndyCar schedule introduces a mix of familiar and novel venues, including Arlington, Texas; Washington D.C.; a return to Arizona; and a fresh track layout in Markham, Ontario, replacing the longstanding Toronto street race.
Dixon and teammate Alexander Rossi tested the recently modified Phoenix Raceway, conducting 20-lap sessions each after the addition of a second usable lane, which could significantly alter race dynamics by introducing more overtaking opportunities.
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,
Dixon remarked, emphasizing the unpredictability of the new racing conditions.
The distinct characteristics of the Phoenix track, especially the long straight where only a single racing line was previously available, will challenge drivers’ strategies. If the secondary lane holds up during a race, it would provide a strategic advantage and potentially alter how teams plan their attacks.
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 Canadian race, the move from Toronto’s downtown circuit to Markham was met with mixed feelings from Dixon, who has won four times on the Toronto streets, including the most recent victory in 2022.
It’s a shame, I think, with losing the one there by the convention center,
he said.
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.
Dixon hopes the fresh Markham course will suit his style as well as the previous layout did, helping him secure better results to climb higher in the championship rankings this season.
The Road Ahead for Dixon’s Championship Challenge
Scott Dixon’s commitment to moving beyond third place reflects his competitive spirit and ambition as he adapts to evolving team strategies, rivals, and circuits. With new track configurations and a refined team approach, Dixon’s 25th season promises to be a critical chapter in his quest to extend his legacy within IndyCar.
His respect for teammates and rivals alike, coupled with an acceptance of past setbacks and a readiness to embrace new challenges, sets a tone of cautious optimism while underscoring the intensity of his championship challenge. As the season unfolds, fans will watch keenly to see if Dixon can convert his experience and motivation into victories and a top-two finish in the standings.
