The 2026 season of the IndyCar championship has been interesting for Dale Coyne Racing (DCR), which has managed to combine experience and freshness with the performances of Romain Grosjean and novice Dennis Hauger.
With a team made up of two cars, Grosjean, competing with number 18, has once again added a touch of quality to the team. Meanwhile, Hauger, driving number 19, has demonstrated his emerging potential as a new talent in the competition. Both drivers have experienced a season full of challenges and highlight moments.
Grosjean shines in Markham
One of the peaks of the season came during the race in Markham, where Grosjean displayed great dominance in a chaotic race. Despite losing the lead to Marcus Ericsson in the last five laps, the French driver secured a second place that marked his best result since the Barber race in 2023. In total, Grosjean accumulated 259 points, finishing in 19th position in the championship.
Success for novice Hauger
Hauger’s first season in IndyCar has been marked by his outstanding performance, which earned him the title of Rookie of the Year. With a show of speed in practice, he fought on several occasions to make it into the Firestone Fast Six, achieving a third position in St. Petersburg. Despite some difficulties with tire degradation during races, he managed two tenths positions and a total of 228 points, finishing in 22nd position in the championship.
Goals met but with areas for improvement
Dale Coyne Racing has met its main objectives, entering the Leaders Circle and demonstrating that it is a competitive team on street circuits. However, they need to overcome limitations regarding mechanical grip on oval circuits and tire preservation. Occasional mistakes in pit stops have also hindered the attainment of better results in qualifying.
With an uncertain future on the horizon for the 2027 season, with Grosjean’s situation still to be determined and Hauger preparing for a team change, Dale Coyne Racing will continue to be a team to watch when registrations for the new season open.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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