Four way-too-early questions ahead of the 2027 IndyCar season

Sunday's season finale at Laguna Seca wrapped up the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season, with Scott McLaughlin snapping a 35-race winless drought and Alex Palou officially being crowned champion for a fourth consecutive season. 

With six months remaining until the 2027 IndyCar campaign begins on March 7 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., here are some early questions swirling around the 2027 season. 

Can anyone stop Alex Palou...

Like Thanos, Palou has been inevitable over the past four seasons. The five-time series champion and 2025 Indianapolis 500 winner won six times this season and had 15 top 10s in 18 races, winning the championship by 86 points over Kyle Kirkwood. 

Many pundits have pointed to IndyCar's new race car in 2028 as an opportunity for the field to finally beat Palou, but that doesn't mean they won't be trying to best the Spaniard next year. Everyone in the IndyCar paddock had better get to work immediately if they don't want to see Palou win a fifth straight Astor Cup next season?

...and will it be Kyle Kirkwood?

Kirkwood is the obvious choice as the potential villain who could upend Palou's dynasty. The Jupiter, Fla., native won twice this season and matched Palou with 15 top 10s, though the championship was already decided ahead of Sunday's race at Laguna Seca. 

If the No. 27 team can find a way to have a four or five-win season in 2027, beating Palou for the championship could become very realistic. Kirkwood has become one of IndyCar's newest superstars and appears to have the best shot at stopping Palou's streak of titles. 

How will Scott Dixon, Christian Lundgaard fare with their new teams?

After 25 years with Chip Ganassi Racing, Dixon, who had his first winless season since 2004 this year, will move onto what may or may not be greener pastures at Arrow McLaren next season. The 46-year-old wasn't all that competitive this season, though with a new organization, he could be a dark horse in the title race next year as he looks for a seventh championship.

On the other hand, Arrow McLaren's Christian Lundgaard, who racked up two wins, 14 top 10s and a third-place points finish this season, is yet to announce his destination for 2027, though he's the favorite to land Dixon's old ride at CGR, essentially completing a driver swap between the two organizations. McLaren decided that Lundgaard's performance on ovals leaves something to be desired, but he made strides in that department towards the end of the season and will be in the championship hunt next year. 

Can David Malukas finally win a race?

David Malukas' quest to win an IndyCar race hasn't quite been the odyssey that was Dale Earnhardt's attempt to win the Daytona 500, but make no mistake about it, the Chicago native has been through hell and back in his struggle to reach victory lane. From losing the closest Indianapolis 500 in history to Felix Rosenqvist in May to an engine issue that cost him a win at Milwaukee last week, that elusive checkered flag is yet to come for Malukas. 

The good news is that the 24-year-old still showed out in his debut season with Team Penske, finishing fifth in the standings with nine top fives and 13 top 10s. He was even second in the standings for a portion of the season. All that's left for him to do is finally win a race, which is proving to be much easier said than done.