2026 IndyCar Team Preview: Dale Coyne Racing – Grosjean & Hauger
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Dale Coyne Racing enters the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with a revamped driver lineup, hoping to build on a 2025 campaign that saw flashes of potential but ultimately fell short of championship contention. The season opener is scheduled for at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Romain Grosjean returns to the team for a second stint, piloting the No. 18 BMax Honda. Grosjean previously raced for Dale Coyne Racing in 2021, securing a pole position on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and finishing 15th in the overall standings. His return marks a reunion with a team familiar with his aggressive driving style and potential for race-day brilliance.
Joining Grosjean is rookie Dennis Hauger, who will drive the No. 19 Ault Block Chain Honda. Hauger arrives in INDYCAR as the reigning champion of the INDY NXT by Firestone series, having dominated the 2025 season with six wins in 14 races, finishing 72 points ahead of his nearest competitor, Caio Collet. His transition to the top tier represents a significant opportunity for both the young driver and the team.
Last year, Dale Coyne Racing featured Rinus VeeKay and Jacob Abel. VeeKay demonstrated consistent performance, achieving seven top-10 finishes and briefly climbing into the top 10 in the championship standings before finishing 14th overall. A highlight of his season was a second-place finish at the Toronto street circuit. However, a crash during the Indianapolis 500 hampered his momentum. Abel, in his rookie season, faced challenges, with an 11th-place finish in the second race of the Iowa Speedway doubleheader being his best result. He failed to qualify for the “500,” a significant setback in his debut year.
The team’s engineering department has also seen adjustments for 2026. Bill Pappas has been hired to work with Grosjean, bringing his expertise to the No. 18 car. Michael Cannon, who joined the team mid-season in 2025, will continue his role, now focusing on Hauger’s No. 19 entry. The team’s engineering core, including Mitch Davis and Mike Colliver, is considered a strength, particularly as it relates to preparations for the Indianapolis 500.
Hauger’s success in INDY NXT suggests a natural talent for qualifying. He consistently started near the front of the field in the feeder series, securing front-row starts for the first 11 races of the 2025 season and never starting lower than third. This ability to maximize qualifying performance could prove crucial in INDYCAR, where track position often dictates race strategy and outcome.
While Grosjean’s previous IndyCar experience provides a foundation, his time away from the series – serving as a reserve driver for Prema – introduces an element of the unknown. He has shown flashes of speed and competitiveness, but also a tendency to fall into performance slumps. Maintaining consistency throughout the long season will be key to unlocking his full potential.
The partnership between Dale Coyne Racing and Andretti Global for Hauger’s entry is noteworthy. This collaboration provides the rookie with access to resources and expertise from one of the series’ most successful teams, potentially accelerating his learning curve and improving his chances of success. The arrangement also reflects a growing trend of strategic alliances within the INDYCAR paddock.
Looking ahead, the team’s success will likely hinge on its ability to integrate Hauger into the series quickly and effectively, while simultaneously maximizing Grosjean’s experience and minimizing his inconsistencies. The engineering depth within the team offers a promising foundation, but the drivers’ performance on the track will determine Dale Coyne Racing’s position in the competitive 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES landscape.
The 2026 season promises to be a test of both veteran resilience and rookie potential for Dale Coyne Racing. With the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg looming, the team is poised to embark on a new chapter, hoping to translate its off-season preparations into on-track success.