An era in IndyCar racing is coming to a close.
Scott Dixon and Chip Ganassi Racing are parting ways after this season, ending one of the longest continuous driver-team pairings in North American motorsports history.
Team owner Chip Ganassi confirmed the split Wednesday, saying Dixon informed the team he will not return in 2027. The 45-year-old New Zealander joined CGR midway through the 2002 season and went on to win six series championships and 58 of his 59 career victories with the organization — a run of 24 full seasons together.
“We respect that he’s chosen a different path and wish him nothing but continued success. Scott will always be a special part of this team’s history.”
— Chip Ganassi, team owner
Multiple reports indicate Dixon is headed to Arrow McLaren for 2027, reuniting him with the team he briefly drove for from 2021-23. ESPN and Racer.com both reported this week that Felix Rosenqvist, the reigning Indianapolis 500 winner, is expected to join Dixon at McLaren after leaving Meyer Shank Racing, slotting the pair alongside Pato O’Ward.
A rare kind of loyalty
Dixon’s tenure with Ganassi is one of the longest in modern pro sports. Only Helio Castroneves’ 21 consecutive seasons with Team Penske come close among recent IndyCar drivers. Across other sports, comparisons are equally rare: Jeff Gordon spent 24 seasons with Hendrick Motorsports in NASCAR, Gordie Howe played 25 straight seasons for the Detroit Red Wings, and Dirk Nowitzki logged 21 consecutive years with the Dallas Mavericks.
- 6 IndyCar Series championships (2003, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020)
- 59 career race wins, most among active drivers
- 7 career wins at Mid-Ohio, a series record
- 22 straight seasons with at least one win, an active streak
On track, Dixon sits 10th in the NTT IndyCar Series standings heading into Sunday’s Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, a track where he has won a series-record seven times. His best finish this season is a third at Long Beach, and he’s chasing a victory that would extend that active streak.
Ganassi said the team’s focus now turns to closing out 2026 strong with the No. 9 car while it plans for life after Dixon — a transition unlike a retirement, since a move to a rival leaves little time to groom a successor.
Sources: IndyCar.com, ESPN, Racer.com