Alex Palou remains the key figure in INDYCAR after securing three consecutive championships, but the 2026 season could bring fresh challenges to his reign. On the debut episode of SPEED With Harvick And Buxton, FOX INDYCAR announcer Will Buxton identified several drivers who might be capable of halting Palou’s attempt at a fourth straight title.
Among those contenders, Buxton singled out Christian Lundgaard as a particularly promising rival poised to disrupt Palou’s supremacy in INDYCAR 2026.
Christian Lundgaard’s Rise with McLaren Sparks Optimism
Lundgaard had a breakthrough year in 2025, his first season racing for McLaren, finishing fifth in the overall standings and placing seventh at the Indianapolis 500. Buxton expressed confidence in Lundgaard’s trajectory and McLaren’s ongoing development in INDYCAR.
“I’m really excited to see what Lundgaard can do this year,”
Buxton stated.
“It was his first year with McLaren last year. He’s got his feet under the table; he’s really got to step on, and I think he will.
McLaren, I look at them to do in INDYCAR what they did in Formula 1, which is to have those incremental gains and year-over-year improvements to the point where they can go out and win the championship, as they proved they could last year with Lando Norris and having won back-to-back team titles in Formula 1 as well.”
While McLaren is yet to capture a championship in INDYCAR, the team has demonstrated championship-winning capability in Formula 1, thanks to drivers like Lando Norris, who helped secure a title in 2025 after a 16-year drought. This momentum provides Lundgaard and McLaren with a solid foundation to challenge Palou.
Other Strong Contenders Ready to Challenge Palou
Buxton also named two additional drivers as noteworthy competitors for the 2026 season: Will Power and Scott McLaughlin. Both have shown that they can perform at a high level and could play a part in dethroning Palou.
“I think Will Power on a revenge tour with Andretti is going to be great,”
Buxton commented.
“Scott McLaughlin is fired up at Penske. He’s really taken on that team leadership role.”
Power was the only driver to interrupt Palou’s title streak when he claimed the championship in 2022, but his 2025 season was tough, culminating in a ninth-place finish. After parting ways with Penske, Power joined Andretti, looking to mount a strong comeback.
McLaughlin likewise endured a challenging 2025, ending 10th in the standings, but his prior form includes impressive podium finishes: third place in both 2023 and 2024, following a fourth-place result in 2022. His leadership role at Penske suggests renewed motivation for the upcoming season.
David Malukas: A Talented Dark Horse with Challenges Ahead
During the program, co-host and former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick proposed David Malukas as a possible sleeper pick for 2026. Buxton, however, tempered expectations for the young driver’s immediate title prospects.
“I love Malukas as well, but let’s not forget, he’s never even won an INDYCAR race,”
Buxton explained.
“So, putting the weight of, ‘Is he going to win the title?’ in his first season at Penske — that’s the expectation, obviously, when you’re racing for Penske. But that’s a massive challenge.”
Malukas finished 11th in 2025, marking his best ranking in four seasons. His potential was evident with a notable second-place finish at the Indy 500 last year, but a championship victory would require significant progress.
Palou’s Dominance Sets a High Bar for Competitors
Despite these potential challengers, Buxton underscored that Palou’s mastery of the sport remains formidable, with rivals recognizing the heightened challenge in attempting to surpass him.
“I remember last year talking to the drivers before the season started, and they were all … like, ‘Yeah, he’s beatable.’ Then, you ask that same question this year, and they’re a lot more measured in their responses because they see the level he’s at,”
Buxton reflected.
“They know that the target on his back isn’t static, it will have increased over the winter. He will have moved himself to another level. If you were aiming for where Palou was last year, you’re going to miss. You’ve got to aim higher. He’s just phenomenal. It’s his feel. It’s his intelligence, his race brain. Everything about him [is] at such a high level.”
With such exceptional talent and intellect, Alex Palou remains the driver to beat in the 2026 INDYCAR season. Upcoming races will reveal whether Lundgaard, Power, McLaughlin, or Malukas can overcome the challenge and end Palou’s dominance, shaping the future of the sport.
