Question: What NTT INDYCAR SERIES news item are you still most eager to have announced?

Curt Cavin: Maybe we know more about the Indianapolis 500 lineup than I realize, but it still seems we have a lot to learn. Specifically, it’s the one-offs from a host of teams. For example, will Helio Castroneves (photo, top) be back in a Meyer Shank Racing car? Is Ed Carpenter taking another shot at a place on the Borg-Warner Trophy? What about Takuma Sato and the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing pairing? What’s happening with Andretti Global’s fourth car? Is it Colton Herta or someone else? What about Dreyer & Reinbold Racing’s second seat? Is PREMA Racing good to go? And, of course, we’re still waiting on Dale Coyne Racing to announce its second full-season driver. A lot of gifts still to be unwrapped in this holiday season.

Eric Smith: For me, it’s all about the new car. Series president J. Douglas Boles provided an update on the 2028 chassis during the IMS oval test in late October, noting that team owners and managers were recently shown an updated look at the design. A public unveiling is expected before the end of the first quarter of 2026, with a physical car to follow soon after. The series introduced the DW12 for the 2012 season, updated it with the current UAK package in 2018 and added the Aeroscreen in 2020. The 2028 chassis will represent the next major evolution.

Arni Sribhen: While Curt is curious about the field for the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, I’m more curious about the field of full-time drivers for the 2026 season. As of today, Dale Coyne Racing still has a chartered race seat available, and the status of PREMA Racing is likely to be decided soon as well. The names associated with the seat alongside Dennis Hauger at Dale Coyne’s team have been interesting to say the least. Will the longtime INDYCAR team owner opt for a veteran to pair alongside the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone champ? Or will he opt for another newcomer? Should PREMA return, both Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman are expected to be back in the field. It all adds up to the 2026 full-time lineup being one of the most competitive in series history.

Paul Kelly: I'm very curious about the new look of INDYCAR officiating. Series President J. Douglas Boles is on the record as saying changes are coming for the 2026 season, with an independent officiating board likely. I wonder from where those officials will come, whether the group will be overseen by governing bodies like the FIA or ACCUS and how the new direction of INDYCAR officiating might affect competition in both the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone. Interesting times ahead, for sure.