Source: INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz (2026)
Key Findings at a Glance
- → Scott Dixon is a six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Chip Ganassi Racing’s Dixon carries the most series titles among active drivers heading into the 2026 season. [INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz]
- → Chip Ganassi Racing locked three cars in the top 10 for the 2026 Long Beach race Alex Palou started third, Scott Dixon sixth, and Kyffin Simpson ninth, showing the team’s front-running strength this season. [INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz]
- → NTT DATA gathers as many as 8 billion racing data points per race event More than 150 sensors on each car feed NTT DATA’s AI-driven analysis, including the automated ‘Up to Speed’ race recap tool. [NTT DATA]
- → Over 53,000 fans across 147 countries responded to the Global INDYCAR Fan Survey Motorsport Network and Nielsen Sports ran the survey, one of the largest fan studies the series has done. [INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey]
- → Romain Grosjean, Pato O’Ward, and Helio Castroneves were named the top three favorite drivers Results came from the 2022 Global INDYCAR Fan Survey, showing early fan support for O’Ward that has carried into later seasons. [INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey]
- → Dixon has won at Long Beach twice, most recently in 2024 The Chip Ganassi Racing veteran’s history at the street course made his strong 2026 qualifying run notable. [INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz]
- → 37% of surveyed fans were under age 35 and 12.2% identified as female The 2022 survey pointed to a shift toward a younger, more mixed INDYCAR audience. [INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey]
Scott Dixon beat Will Power by just 0.0738 seconds in Firestone Fast Six qualifying at the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, marking his first Fast Six trip since March 2025. The result put the six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion back in the spotlight as Chip Ganassi Racing opened the weekend with three cars inside the top ten. This breakdown covers where the top IndyCar drivers 2026 stand through qualifying results, career records, and fan sentiment data.
1How Close Was Qualifying at the 2026 Long Beach Grand Prix?
Scott Dixon topped Will Power by 0.0738 seconds in Firestone Fast Six qualifying at the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Alex Palou started third, Dixon sixth, and Kyffin Simpson ninth for the 90-lap street race, giving Chip Ganassi Racing three cars inside the top ten.
| METRIC | VALUE | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|
| Dixon vs. Power qualifying gap | 0.0738 seconds | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz |
| Scott Dixon starting position | 6th grid position | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz |
| Alex Palou starting position | 3rd grid position | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz |
| Kyffin Simpson starting position | 9th grid position | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz |
| Race distance | 90 laps | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz |
| Source: INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz | ||
The margin between Dixon and Power ranks among the tightest Fast Six results of the season on the Long Beach street circuit. Palou’s third-place start extended his own run of front-row form, while Simpson’s ninth-place slot showed depth beyond the team’s two headline names. Fans tracking the full 2026 calendar can check the full season race dates to see where Long Beach fits among the year’s remaining street and oval events. The result also echoes patterns seen at ovals covered in the 2024 Honda Indy 200 recap, where tight qualifying gaps often carried into close racing.
2What Records Does Scott Dixon Hold Heading Into 2026?
Scott Dixon carries six NTT INDYCAR SERIES titles into 2026, the most among active drivers. He gained 8 positions at Phoenix Raceway, 12 at Arlington, and 6 at Barber Motorsports Park this season, and has won at Long Beach twice, most recently in 2024.
| METRIC | VALUE | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|
| Dixon series championships | 6 titles | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz |
| Dixon positions gained at Phoenix Raceway | 8 positions | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz |
| Dixon positions gained at Arlington | 12 positions | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz |
| Dixon positions gained at Barber Motorsports Park | 6 positions | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz |
| Dixon Long Beach wins | 2 wins | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz |
| Source: INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz | ||
Dixon’s move from sixth on the grid to a Fast Six qualifying result at Long Beach fits a career built on turning modest starts into strong finishes. His 12-position gain at Arlington stands out as his largest single-race jump of the year, a pattern that analysts tracking driver development programs often cite when comparing veteran racecraft against newer talent. His six titles also invite comparison with drivers profiled in the legendary driver performance comparisons from other championships. The two wins at Long Beach, paired with his mid-race gains at Phoenix and Barber, show a driver who rarely fades once the green flag drops.
3How Much Data Does IndyCar Collect During a Race?
NTT DATA collects as many as 8 billion racing data points during a single IndyCar event. More than 150 sensors on each car feed this stream, powering AI-driven tools including the automated ‘Up to Speed’ race recap used by broadcasters and teams throughout the 2026 season.
| METRIC | VALUE | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors per INDYCAR racecar | 150+ sensors | NTT DATA |
| Race data points captured per event | 8 billion data points | NTT DATA |
| Source: NTT DATA | ||
The sensor count per car, over 150, matches the scale of data collection now standard across major racing series worldwide. Careers built around processing this volume of information have grown alongside it, a shift covered in detail by motorsport data analysis career listings. Teams using systems similar to NTT DATA’s setup increasingly rely on machine learning driver ranking models to translate raw sensor output into race strategy. The same 8 billion data points captured per event also feed the automated ‘Up to Speed’ recap tool broadcasters used throughout the 2026 season.
4Who Are IndyCar Fans’ Favorite Drivers?
Romain Grosjean, Pato O’Ward, and Helio Castroneves ranked as the top three favorite drivers in the Global INDYCAR Fan Survey. More than 53,000 fans across 147 countries took part, with 56 percent from the United States, making it one of the largest driver popularity studies the series has run.
| METRIC | VALUE | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|
| Global fan survey respondents | 53,000+ fans | INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey |
| Countries represented in fan survey | 147 countries | INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey |
| US share of survey respondents | 56 percent | INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey |
| Fans under 35 years old | 37 percent | INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey |
| Female survey respondents | 12.2 percent | INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey |
| Fans rating INDYCAR as competitive | 80+ percent | INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey |
| Source: INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey | ||
O’Ward’s early popularity in the 2022 results has carried through later seasons, a pattern also seen among rally fans surveyed for the top WRC drivers list for 2026. Grosjean’s top ranking arrived years after his open-wheel career shift, showing how driver loyalty in American racing often outlasts a move between series. Organizations studying fan behavior across motorsport, including groups referenced in endurance racing fan experience research, use survey methods similar to Motorsport Network and Nielsen Sports. The 80-plus percent of fans who rated IndyCar as competitive suggests the sport’s core audience remains satisfied even as it grows younger and more international.
5How Are IndyCar Drivers Performing on Social Media in 2026?
A driver hot-takes video on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES YouTube channel drew 14,215 views in 2026. A separate Facebook clip featuring David Malukas reached 29,000 views on the series’ official page, showing steady fan interest in driver-focused content beyond race broadcasts.
| METRIC | VALUE | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube views on driver hot-takes video | 14,215 views | NTT INDYCAR SERIES YouTube channel |
| Facebook video views of David Malukas clip | 29,000 views | NTT INDYCAR SERIES Facebook page |
| Source: NTT INDYCAR SERIES YouTube channel | ||
Malukas’s Facebook numbers outpaced the YouTube hot-takes clip by roughly double, a gap that content teams tracking motorsport IT and software roles often study when deciding where to place driver features. The relatively modest view counts compared with other major series show IndyCar’s online audience still trails platforms covered in live coverage platforms for endurance racing. Teams and broadcasters weighing platform investment can compare these numbers against the younger, more mixed fan base identified in the 2022 survey data above.
Complete Data Reference
Sortable table of all verified data points. Click any column header to sort.
| Metric | Value | Source | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dixon vs. Power qualifying gap | 0.0738 seconds | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz | 2026 |
| Scott Dixon starting position | 6th grid position | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz | 2026 |
| Alex Palou starting position | 3rd grid position | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz | 2026 |
| Kyffin Simpson starting position | 9th grid position | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz | 2026 |
| Race distance | 90 laps | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz | 2026 |
| Dixon series championships | 6 titles | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz | 2026 |
| Dixon positions gained at Phoenix Raceway | 8 positions | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz | 2026 |
| Dixon positions gained at Arlington | 12 positions | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz | 2026 |
| Dixon positions gained at Barber Motorsports Park | 6 positions | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz | 2026 |
| Dixon Long Beach wins | 2 wins | INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz | 2026 |
| Sensors per INDYCAR racecar | 150+ sensors | NTT DATA | 2026 |
| Race data points captured per event | 8 billion data points | NTT DATA | 2026 |
| Global fan survey respondents | 53,000+ fans | INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey | 2022 |
| Countries represented in fan survey | 147 countries | INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey | 2022 |
| US share of survey respondents | 56 percent | INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey | 2022 |
| Fans under 35 years old | 37 percent | INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey | 2022 |
| Female survey respondents | 12.2 percent | INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey | 2022 |
| Fans rating INDYCAR as competitive | 80+ percent | INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey | 2022 |
| YouTube views on driver hot-takes video | 14,215 views | NTT INDYCAR SERIES YouTube channel | 2026 |
| Facebook video views of David Malukas clip | 29,000 views | NTT INDYCAR SERIES Facebook page | 2026 |
Methodology
Fan demographic figures come from a 2022 global survey and may not reflect current audience makeup. Race-day stats and qualifying results cover only early-season 2026 events, so full-season driver rankings are not yet settled. Sensor and data-volume figures from NTT DATA describe general series capability rather than a single race.
- Sources consulted: 10
- Sources cited: 3
- Data range: 2022-02-25 to 2026-04-18
- Freshness: 6 current-year, 0 last-year, 3 older
- Update schedule: Quarterly
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top IndyCar drivers to watch in 2026?
Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, and Kyffin Simpson stand out early in the 2026 season. All three drive for Chip Ganassi Racing, and at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach they started 6th, 3rd, and 9th respectively, showing the team’s strength across its lineup this year. [INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz]
How close was IndyCar qualifying at Long Beach in 2026?
It was razor thin. Scott Dixon edged Will Power by just 0.0738 seconds in the Firestone Fast Six round at the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. That margin marked Dixon’s first Fast Six appearance since March 2025, a sign his pace had returned. [INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz]
How many championships has Scott Dixon won?
Scott Dixon has six NTT INDYCAR SERIES titles, the most among active drivers as the 2026 season unfolds. His long history with Chip Ganassi Racing, including two Long Beach wins, helps explain why fans and rivals still watch his every move on track. [INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz]
Why is Scott Dixon known for gaining positions during races?
Dixon has built a reputation for strong race-day moves. In 2026 he gained 8 spots at Phoenix Raceway, 12 at Arlington, and 6 at Barber Motorsports Park. These jumps show a pattern of turning mid-pack starts into much stronger finishes across the season. [INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz]
How dominant was Chip Ganassi Racing at the 2026 Long Beach race?
Very dominant in qualifying. Chip Ganassi Racing placed three cars in the top 10 for the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, with Alex Palou third, Scott Dixon sixth, and Kyffin Simpson ninth heading into the 90-lap street race. [INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz]
Who are IndyCar fans’ favorite drivers?
According to the Global INDYCAR Fan Survey, Romain Grosjean, Pato O’Ward, and Helio Castroneves ranked as the top three favorite drivers. Over 53,000 fans across 147 countries took part, making it one of the largest driver popularity studies the series has run. [INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey]
How much race data does IndyCar collect during an event?
NTT DATA gathers as many as 8 billion racing data points per event, pulled from more than 150 sensors on each car. This feeds AI tools, including the automated ‘Up to Speed’ recap, giving teams and broadcasters deeper detail on driver performance than ever before. [NTT DATA]
Is the IndyCar fan base getting younger?
Survey numbers suggest so. In the Global INDYCAR Fan Survey, 37% of respondents were under age 35, and 12.2% identified as female. Those figures point to a shift toward a younger, more mixed audience compared with the series’ older fan image. [INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey]
Sources & References
- INDYCAR.com Paddock Buzz. “Paddock Buzz: Saturday at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.” http://www.indycar.com/news/2026/04/04-18-buzz-saturday. Accessed 2026-08-16.
- NTT DATA. “NTT INDYCAR SERIES Sponsorship Overview.” https://www.nttdata.com/en-us/sponsorships/ntt-indycar-series. Accessed 2026-08-16.
- INDYCAR.com / Motorsport Network Fan Survey. “Global INDYCAR Fan Survey Results.” http://www.indycar.com/news/2022/02/02-25-fan-survey. Accessed 2026-08-16.
Last updated: August 16, 2026
