INDYCAR staff identify Power’s late surge, Malukas’ Indy 500 near-miss, Dixon/Lundgaard moves and street races as 2026 moments to watch for 2027

INDYCAR.com’s Inside Line column (published 2026-09-23) compiled staff picks on which 2026 moments could shape the 2027 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Curt Cavin highlighted Will Power’s late run — three straight third-place finishes (Portland, Markham, Washington), a streak of seven races in which he led laps, and five top-three results overall — and suggested that Power’s form could bolster Andretti Global alongside Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson. The column notes Andretti’s trio combined for 13 podiums in 2026, tied with Team Penske.

Other staff choices: Eric Smith pointed to David Malukas’ final-lap loss in the 2026 Indianapolis 500 — described as the closest second-place finish in the race’s history and his second consecutive runner-up — and observed Malukas is now driving for Team Penske. Arni Sribhen focused on driver movement between Arrow McLaren and Chip Ganassi Racing, centering on Scott Dixon and Christian Lundgaard and predicting that comparisons between the two will be a major storyline. Paul Kelly praised the successful new street races in Arlington and Washington, calling Arlington a potential series tentpole and saying Washington’s execution offers a template for other promoters, though the column said a Washington return in 2027 was unlikely.

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