Today’s question: Who or what has surprised you the most through two-thirds of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season?

Curt Cavin: That Scott Dixon is leaving Chip Ganassi Racing. I thought it was possible a few years ago when I believe he strongly considered joining Arrow McLaren, but that itch seemed to have passed, and I figured Dixie would finish with the No. 9 car. Having said that, everything about this move feels right, from reuniting with Felix Rosenqvist (Dixon’s CGR teammate from 2019-20) to getting to join the team Bruce McLaren founded. Plus, Scott gets to see if he can beat Alex Palou a different way. As for on-track items, I’m surprised Rosenqvist won the Indianapolis 500. He has frequently been good at the Speedway but never great, if that makes sense, and the fact he spent the final lap on the outside of two other cars and still won is astounding. As I’ve said several times, it’s the greatest performance on a final lap in Indy history.

Eric Smith: I know I shouldn't be surprised anymore, given the generational talent Alex Palou possesses, but the fact he holds nearly a two-race advantage with just six races remaining is staggering. This is arguably the most competitive era in NTT INDYCAR SERIES history, with margins tighter than ever. Yet Palou continues to separate himself, stretching his points lead to more than a full race's worth of points. Last season marked the first time since 2007 that a driver clinched the championship before the finale. Palou is on pace to accomplish that feat for a second consecutive year and his fifth title in six years. That’s astonishing.

Christian Lundgaard

Arni Sribhen: This isn’t a surprise to me because I’ve been on this hype train since February, but Rinus VeeKay’s (photo, top) performance with Juncos Hollinger Racing through the first 12 races of the season is the performance of the year (non-Alex Palou division). VeeKay currently stands 10th in the point standings, which would be his best finish in the championship. And he’s on pace to score the best-ever finish for a JHR team that has never placed higher than 16th in the championship. With Silly Season already at a fever pitch, VeeKay’s name is linked to some of the most coveted rides out there, but maybe he’s already found a place where he can show his talent week in and week out.

Paul Kelly: I'm still surprised Arrow McLaren gave a pink slip to Christian Lundgaard (photo, above). The Dane's lack of success on ovals is well documented, but he has won two road course races this season and is fourth in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES standings. He also turns 25 on Thursday. Meanwhile, the two drivers Arrow McLaren hired to replace Lundgaard and Nolan Siegel -- Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist -- have one combined win this season, are below Lundgaard in the standings and are considerably older, with Dixon turning 46 today and Rosenqvist 34. Sure, Dixon and Rosenqvist each have an Indianapolis 500 victory under the belts of their fire suits. And there's no doubt "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" is the zenith of the annual schedule, but I still see Lundgaard as a better prospect for longer-term success in the championship. I'm not Zak Brown or Tony Kanaan, but this move still remains a head-scratcher to me.