Team Penske Chevrolet continues its storied partnership as they head into the 2026 IndyCar season, aiming to build on decades of racing success. With a history dating back to 1968, the team remains focused on leveraging their experience, talent, and technology to regain championship dominance in the upcoming year.
This longstanding collaboration has produced numerous victories and championships, making Team Penske Chevrolet a force to watch in 2026 as they strategize and prepare for another competitive season on a variety of circuits.
A Legacy of Championship Success with Chevrolet Power
Chevrolet first powered Team Penske’s entries in 1968, marking the beginning of an enduring partnership. Over the years, Chevrolet engines have been present in many of Team Penske’s championship seasons, including titles won by Danny Sullivan in 1988 and more recently by Will Power in 2014 and 2022, Simon Pagenaud in 2016, and Josef Newgarden in 2017 and 2019. This legacy of success highlights Chevrolet’s performance and reliability in the highly competitive IndyCar Series.
The team’s combined experience with Chevrolet spans across multiple eras with active seasons from 1968 to 2026, except for some intervals, demonstrating a deep-rooted commitment to excellence and innovation.
Spotlight on Key Drivers and Their Chevrolet Records
Josef Newgarden: Veteran Leader Driving No. 2
Josef Newgarden, aged 35, hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, continues to be a pivotal driver for Team Penske Chevrolet in the No. 2 car. With 181 starts powered by Chevrolet, he boasts 32 wins—the most on the current roster—and has consistently performed at a championship level, having won titles in 2017 and 2019. Despite finishing 12th in 2025, he remains focused on improving consistency for the coming season.
Newgarden’s notable track record includes 19 poles and 59 podium finishes, showing a consistent competitive edge. He led 27.7% of the laps over the final seven races in the recent season, reflecting his resilience and strategic racecraft.
His technical team—comprising strategist Jonathan Diuguid, race engineer Luke Mason, and crew chief Chad Gordon—is integral to sustaining his performance as the team targets a stronger championship run in 2026.
Newgarden expressed his determination to overcome recent challenges:
If we don’t want to finish 12th in the standings, we’ve got to finish more races
— Josef Newgarden, Driver
On his evolving leadership role within the team, he said:
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: Rising Talent in the No. 3 Car
Scott McLaughlin, 32, from Christ Church, New Zealand, competes in the No. 3 car and has solidified his place as a strong contender with two consecutive third-place finishes in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. With 85 starts and seven wins since joining Team Penske Chevrolet, McLaughlin’s career highlights include his first victory at the Streets of St. Petersburg in 2022 and his first pole at the same circuit.
His technical crew includes strategist Tim Cindric, race engineer Raul Prados, and crew chief Trevor Lacasse, who have played crucial roles in his development and performance. McLaughlin credits Cindric’s strategic leadership as vital to his transition and ongoing success in the series.
Looking ahead to 2026, McLaughlin shared his motivation and aspirations:
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 added:
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: Young Driver Poised for Growth in No. 12
At just 24 years old, David Malukas is one of the youngest members of the Team Penske Chevrolet roster. Based in Chicago, he has 17 starts with Chevrolet, including a notable podium finish at the 2025 Indianapolis 500 on the IMS oval. Although he has yet to claim a win or pole, Malukas demonstrates promising talent and is focused on consistency across the diverse range of circuits in the IndyCar Series.
His support team features strategist Travis Law, race engineer James Schnabel, and crew chief Blaine Hardy, all focused on helping him reach new heights in the near future.
Regarding 2026 goals, Malukas emphasized the importance of balanced performance:
To have consistency between all of them, that would be a successful year for me.
— David Malukas, Driver
On adapting to a new team dynamic and fast starts, he noted:
It’s just going to be trying to make sure we’ll get there, because eventually we will get 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
He also praised the convenience of the nearby Chevrolet simulator, explaining:
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
Technical Teams and Strategic Leadership Bolster Team Performance
The combined expertise of strategists, race engineers, and crew chiefs plays a critical role in the ongoing success and development of Team Penske Chevrolet. Tim Cindric’s strategy guidance has been instrumental for McLaughlin, while Jonathan Diuguid supports Newgarden’s campaign. With additional specialists like Raul Prados and James Schnabel in vital engineering roles, the team benefits from a mix of experience and fresh perspectives.
These key individuals ensure that the drivers have the mechanical reliability and tactical edge necessary to adapt to the wide variety of oval, road, and street courses encountered throughout the season.
Historical and Competitive Context Ahead of 2026
Team Penske Chevrolet has consistently performed at the highest levels, accumulating driver championships, race wins, poles, and podiums that define their legacy. Josef Newgarden, with 32 career IndyCar wins—ranking 10th all-time—is emblematic of the team’s elite caliber. McLaughlin and Malukas represent the next generation eager to push this tradition forward. Together, they balance veteran experience with emerging talent.
The team’s ability to maintain competitiveness across diverse circuits—from ovals like the Milwaukee Mile and Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street courses like St. Petersburg and Detroit—is fundamental in their pursuit of victory.
Looking Forward: Preparing for Success in 2026
As the preparations for the 2026 IndyCar season intensify, Team Penske Chevrolet is channeling lessons learned from recent years marked by ups and downs. The drivers’ reflections show a shared eagerness to enhance consistency and capitalize on their full potential. With important infrastructure improvements, such as easier access to simulation tools, and strong technical leadership, the team is well positioned to compete for championships once more.
The combination of experienced champions like Newgarden and rising stars like McLaughlin and Malukas signals a robust lineup that can challenge for wins week to week. With renewed focus and motivation, Team Penske Chevrolet aims to translate their extensive history into future triumphs on the IndyCar grid.
