IndyCar Gradebook: Grand Prix of Monterey
Scott McLaughlin ended 2026 on the perfect note as he won IndyCar's season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Although it was not a race that will be remembered for years to come, there were still mixed weekends for several drivers as the final chapter on 2026 was closed. For one last time this year, DIVEBOMB IndyCar Correspondent Dan Jones graded how all 25 drivers fared in IndyCar's season finale.
Chip Ganassi Racing
No.8 - Kyffin Simpson - B+
Kyffin Simpson's IndyCar development continued to make strides in 2026, and that was evident in Laguna Seca, a weekend where the Cayman Islander was consistently inside the top 10. Simpson qualified ninth and ran in a similar position for the majority of the race, even at times having the pace advantage over his teammates. He finished 10th at the chequered flag - his eighth top 10 finish of the year.
No.9 - Scott Dixon - C-
It was maybe a fitting end to Scott Dixon's Chip Ganassi Racing career that the immediately went onto the alternate strategy in pursuit of a final race victory. With a lack of yellow and fuel saving, it was not to be for Dixon, who qualified and finished 17th in a relatively uneventful four-stop race. There was no glorious end to Dixon's Ganassi career like hoped, but another difficult 2026 weekend does not take away from the generational legacy Dixon built himself at the team.
No.10 - Álex Palou - A-
It is quite the statistic that an eighth-place finish at Laguna Seca was Álex Palou's worst road course finish for over four years, but nevertheless, it had still been a strong weekend for Palou, even if the No.10 team did not nail the strategy, for once. Palou looked the driver to beat throughout practice and qualifying, as he narrowly missed out on the pole to McLaughlin. With overtaking difficult, Palou's team opted for an audacious four stop before it became abundantly clear that is was not the strategy to go for. Palou recovered to a respectable eighth and although it won't be a race he looks in fondly in 2026, it rounded out yet another superb year for the Spaniard.
Team Penske
No.2 - Josef Newgarden - C
Road course form has been hit-and-miss for Josef Newgarden in 2026 and Laguna Seca proved to be a miss for him and the No.2 stand. Newgarden qualified disappointingly in 20th and like Palou, opted for a four stop strategy. It similarly yielded little results despite the pace Newgarden believed he had, with no yellow and a lack of overtaking meaning Newgarden could not find his way through the order, as he finished only 15th.
No.3 - Scott McLaughlin - A+
2026 has all been about steady improvement for McLaughlin and the rest of the No.3 stand and they finally peaked at Laguna Seca as McLaughlin executed the devastating weekend display that he has shown he is capable of in years past. Given Palou's pace, McLaughlin took a surprise, but excellent pole position, which he never looked back from in Sunday as he comfortably controlled the race on his way to Victory Lane for the first time this year. It was McLaughlin at his very best for what felt like the first time in two seasons, and will certainly be a championship threat in 2027 if he can replicate such form.
No.12 - David Malukas - B+
The end to 2026 has been frustrating for David Malukas, but after a pair of strong performances in Milwaukee, he rounded out his year with another good showing in Laguna Seca. Malukas reached the Fast Six once again and despite his wrist injury flaring up again, he managed the pain well to take home a comfortable fifth-place finish, a position he was in-and-around for the majority of the race. He unfortunately ends his first Penske year winless, but it was these types of performances week-in, week-out which have left such an impression.
Andretti Global
No.26 - Will Power - C
After what had been such an impressive run of races for Will Power, his season finale was not one to be remembered, as he was outshone by his teammates throughout and failed to make a significant impression in the race. Power qualified in 14th but was promoted to start 12th due to engine penalties. His race proved underwhelming, as he could not make much progress from his starting position and lost several positions by going wide at Turn 2 midway through. Power finished 13th at the chequered flag.
No.27 - Kyle Kirkwood - A
A second-place finish at Laguna Seca marked Kyle Kirkwood's best-ever result on a road course, as he completed his pre-weekend goal of sealing second in the championship. Kirkwood qualified in seventh and made good progress at the start of the race, moving into second by the end of the first stint. Kirkwood may have even had the pace to match McLaughlin, but did not want to risk anything in his pursuit of second in points. It was another great day for Kirkwood, the type which has really elevated his game in 2026, with him and Andretti now being a contender on every track type.
No.28 - Marcus Ericsson - B
Marcus Ericsson's much-improved 2026 season rounded out with yet another top 10 at Laguna Seca, his seventh-such finish on the bounce. Ericsson qualified eighth but had to start 14th due to an engine penalty. With overtaking difficult, it would always be tricky to make his way back through the order, but Ericsson gradually made progress, reaching 11th place by the time he made his first stop, before finishing the race in ninth.
Arrow McLaren
No.5 - Pato O'Ward - C+
Pato O'Ward's bid at earning a second consecutive runner-up finish in the championship proved to be rather underwhelming at Laguna Seca, as he ultimately had to settle for just fourth in points. O'Ward qualified 13th, but started 10th, but had a disappointing Sunday, as a slow pit stop cost him vital time while he could not make progress on-track. O'Ward finished 11th - his seventh finish outside the top 10 this season in yet another low day of his season.
No.6 - Nolan Siegel - D
Laguna Seca did not mark the ending to Nolan Siegel's Arrow McLaren career that he had hoped for as the American endured a disappointing weekend. Siegel qualified 16th and had a relatively quiet four-stop race until he had a major moment at Turn 6 late-on which cost him several position. Siegel finished 24th and the last of those running at the finish, a lap down from the lead.
No.7 - Christian Lundgaard - A-
Although second-place in the championship was not to be for Christian Lundgaard, he still had an impressive run at Laguna Seca, his last race with Arrow McLaren. Lundgaard qualified fifth but was demoted to 11th due to an engine penalty. The No.7 stand opted for a conventional strategy and despite overtaking being difficult, Lundgaard made his way through the order, finishing sixth at the chequered flag. Although difficult to say, Lundgaard could have had a very realistic shot at second in points without his penalty.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
No.15 - Graham Rahal - C-
Laguna Seca was a quiet weekend all-round for Graham Rahal and the entirety of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL). Rahal qualified poorly in 22nd and opted for a four-stop strategy in order to make positions. As was the case for everybody else, that did not work and Rahal finished just 19th, in a weekend where he was the weakest RLL entry.
No.45 - Louis Foster - B-
Although a 14th-place finish was rather unremarkable for Louis Foster, he was the strongest RLL driver throughout the Laguna Seca weekend and was potentially unfortunate to not have a better finish. Foster reached the Fast 12 once again and had made it inside the top 10 early on before he was undercutted by the majority of the field twice. Despite struggling with the car throughout, Foster nursed his No.45 to 14th, the best RLL finisher.
No.47 - Mick Schumacher - C-
Mick Schumacher's final race with Rahal Letterman Lanigan was not one to be remembered as he failed in his bid to be crowned the Rookie of the Year. A qualifying effort of 15th was better than Schumacher has managed for the majority of the year and he had made his way up to just outside the top 10 at the start. However, he spun by himself late on which cost him valuable time and dropped him to 22nd at the finish.
Meyer Shank Racing
No.60 - Felix Rosenqvist - A-
Felix Rosenqvist's final race with Meyer Shank Racing ended on a positive note at Laguna Seca, as the Swede earned his fifth top five finish of the year in what had been an impressive weekend throughout. Rosenqvist had qualified well in third and competed within the top five for the majority of the race, before he looked in contention for a podium late on, but was unable to get past Alexander Rossi in the final laps. Nevertheless, a fourth-place finish was well deserved as Rosenqvist embarks on a return to Arrow McLaren in 2027.
No.66 - Marcus Armstrong - B
It has been a difficult second half of 2026 for Marcus Armstrong, but he ended it off in better fashion at Laguna Seca. Armstrong qualified 10th, and stayed within the top 10 positions for the majority of proceedings, steadily making his way up through the order. In a quiet, but good day, Armstrong finished seventh - his best result since the Indianapolis 500.
Ed Carpenter Racing
No.20 - Alexander Rossi - A
There's been no hiding that 2026 has been an extremely difficult year for Rossi and Ed Carpenter Racing, but they saved their best until last with their first podium together at Laguna Seca. Rossi qualified extremely well in fourth and although some may have expected him to go backward, Rossi held his ground throughout the race, battling within the top five. Despite being under pressure late on from those on fresher tyres, Rossi held his ground well to stand on the podium for the first time in two years as he enters the off-season with some positive momentum.
No.21 - Christian Rasmussen - C-
While his teammate starred, it was not such an encouraging weekend for Christian Rasmussen. The Dane qualified 17th, although had made some progress through the order before a particularly poor pit stop let him down. That put Rasmussen on the back foot, meaning he finished just 21st at the conclusion of the 95 laps.
AJ Foyt Racing
No.4 - Caio Collet - C
Caio Collet came into Laguna Seca within a shot of the Rookie of the Year title, but it was always an uphill task and he was unable to snatch the honours. Collet had reached the Fast 12 but was demoted due to an engine penalty. He had made some of those positions back early on, but had a catastrophic final stint where he dropped from 14th to 20th on the reds. A mixed rookie season, with Collet likely to move onto pastures new in 2027.
No.14 - Santino Ferrucci - C
As has been the case for much of 2026, it was a disappointing weekend for Santino Ferrucci, albeit did end the race as the biggest mover. The American qualified in 21st but through good strategy and well-executed pit stops, Ferrucci made his way through the order to 12th. It was a decent result considering the lack of overtaking, but Ferrucci's qualifying form has continually let him down.
Juncos Hollinger Racing
No.76 - Rinus VeeKay - C
Rinus VeeKay has starred throughout several of weekends in the second half of the season, but Laguna Seca was certainly not one of those, albeit VeeKay leaves the weekend with a well-earned top 10 in the championship. VeeKay qualified only 19th and had to go to a four-stop after a issue in his first stop. He finished 16th in a disappointing day amid a fantastic season.
No.77 - Sting Ray Robb - D-
In what may be his final IndyCar weekend, Sting Ray Robb left a lot to be desired. He qualified dead last and particularly clumsily ploughed into the back of Dennis Hauger on the opening lap, deservedly earning him a drive-through. Robb ultimately finished 23rd, a lap down from the lead in a poor weekend.
Dale Coyne Racing
No.18 - Romain Grosjean - C-
Laguna Seca was a relatively quiet weekend for Romain Grosjean, who qualified 23rd and finished just 18th. Given Grosjean's recent run a form, a relatively underwhelming result as he rounds out his year 19th in the championship.
No.19 - Dennis Hauger - D+
There was no blaming Hauger after he was punted into the wall by Robb, as he nervously watched on with his Rookie of the Year title under threat. Hauger ultimately held onto the prize despite his day lasting just six corners. The only real criticism of Hauger is that if he qualified better than 24th, he may not have been in that position in the first place.
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