Scott McLaughlin, who secured pole position for the first IndyCar race of 2026, was taken aback by the strong qualifying performance of two drivers from Dale Coyne Racing (DCR) on Saturday in St. Petersburg. Despite DCR’s reputation as a lower-budget outfit, rookies Dennis Hauger and veteran Romain Grosjean both advanced into the Fast 6 round, defying expectations and challenging more established competitors.
In the initial qualifying rounds, Grosjean outpaced prominent names such as Will Power and Josef Newgarden in Group 1, while Hauger surpassed Scott Dixon and 2016 Indy 500 champion Alexander Rossi in Group 2. Both drivers then progressed comfortably through the Fast 12. In the Fast 6, Hauger claimed an impressive third-place spot by edging out reigning champion Alex Palou, with Grosjean rounding out the top six.
McLaughlin, who earned his second consecutive pole at the street circuit in St. Pete, expressed his admiration for the team’s pace and tenacity.
“I was very impressed,” said McLaughlin. “This is IndyCar, it’s competitive. That’s what makes the sport so awesome, is the fact that a lower budget team, whatever you want to call it – I’m sure they don’t like me saying that – but at the end of the day, it’s well known, and they’re killing it. That was a great effort.”
Dale Coyne Racing has historically relied on driver sponsorships to support its operations, which contributed to Grosjean’s late signing during the offseason due to uncertainties with funding. Despite this, the team made strategic moves that appear to be paying off early in the 2026 season.
“I was certainly surprised to see both of them in the Fast Six, but they’ve made some acquisitions over the off-season and got a couple guys that have been pretty deeply entrenched into the sport, as we all know, and been okay,” Scott McLaughlin added.
One key offseason development was DCR’s technical partnership with Andretti Global, which coincided with bringing Dennis Hauger on board. This collaboration is now beginning to yield tangible on-track results.
Scott McLaughlin Hesitant to Declare Team Penske’s Progress on Street Circuits
Team Penske has traditionally dominated on short oval tracks but has struggled to find consistent success on street circuits. Although McLaughlin has earned pole position in St. Pete for two consecutive years, he remains cautious when discussing the team’s advancement on these challenging venues.
“I’m skeptical to go, yeah, we’ve found – I think for me, it’s going to be waiting until Long Beach,” explained McLaughlin. “Long Beach was our worst street circuit, I thought personally and I think as a team and probably the biggest gap we had to the Andrettis and maybe the Hondas in some ways.”
“This (St. Pete) is nice, but we know we’re fast here. It’s just a matter of executing – Sorry, I keep using that word, but you’re going to get used to it. Yeah, I’m not counting my chickens before they hatch. It’s okay right now,” the 32-year-old Kiwi added.
Following a disappointing 2025 campaign, McLaughlin will be eager to translate his promising qualifying form into a winning start for the new season.
Implications for the Upcoming IndyCar Season
The surprising pace from a smaller team like Dale Coyne Racing signals increasing competitiveness and unpredictability in IndyCar racing. With drivers such as Dennis Hauger and Romain Grosjean showing they can challenge established stars like Alex Palou, Scott Dixon, and Josef Newgarden, the dynamics on street circuits could shift significantly this season.
McLaughlin’s pole at St. Pete reinforces his status as a top contender, but his measured approach suggests the battles ahead, especially on circuits like Long Beach, will be fiercely contested. The technical partnerships and acquisitions made by teams like DCR could reshape the competitive landscape, making the 2026 IndyCar season one to watch closely for surprises and breakthroughs.
