Inside Line: ‘I Didn’t See That Coming’

Today’s question: What is your “I didn’t see that coming” moment of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season?

Curt Cavin: There are many moments from the past season to choose from, but I’m still dazzled by Kyle Kirkwood’s surprising pass of Alex Palou late in the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington (photo, above). The two series stars were locked in a fierce battle for the lead, and Kirkwood appeared to have the faster car. Still, Kirkwood had to pass the four-time series champion, and he opted for the opportunity in a corner that few thought would be available to him. Kirkwood dove to the inside of Palou approaching Turn 14, drawing high-pitched reactions from all three FOX broadcasters. Townsend Bell called it “a Hail Mary in the shadows of (the Cowboys’) stadium.” James Hinchcliffe wondered if Kirkwood surprised even himself when he braked late and drew alongside Palou with corner fast approaching. Felix Rosenqvist had the pass of the season to win the Indianapolis 500, but in my opinion this pass was No. 2 on the year’s list.

Eric Smith: This is a great question, and it’s hard to narrow it down to just one. I went outside the box with my “I didn’t see that coming.” Mine is Will Power AND Scott Dixon going winless and finishing outside the top 10 in the championship standings. Power (photo, above, right) had finished in the top 10 in every full-time season since 2009. Granted, this was his first year with Andretti Global after 17 seasons with Team Penske, but seeing him go winless while his teammates combined for three wins was shocking. The same goes for Dixon. His streak of 21 consecutive seasons with at least one victory came to an end, as did his run of 20 straight years finishing in the top six in the championship standings. He wound up 12th. There are plenty of individual race moments you could make a case for, but my pick is seeing two drivers with eight combined series championships -- and the only drivers other than Alex Palou to win a title since 2020 – not be in the top 10 of the championship race.

Arni Sribhen: Legendary baseball broadcaster Jack Buck delivered the iconic call, “I don’t believe what I just saw!” after seeing Kirk Gibson’s game-winning, pinch-hit home run in the 1988 World Series. I had the same thought when I saw this year’s Indianapolis 500 finish. Sure, we’ve seen last-lap Indy 500 duels before (I mean, I watch a 1992 finish video set to the radio call every May), but Felix Rosenqvist’s final Brickyard circuit will be one we’ll talk about for years to come. Rosenqvist drew alongside Meyer Shank Racing teammate Marcus Armstrong as they crossed the historic Yard of Bricks. The No. 60 car spent most of the lap on the outside of Armstrong before finally clearing him in the middle of Turn 4. From there, Rosenqvist’s car seemed to hit the video game-like boost button as he quickly closed on race leader David Malukas, sweeping past him just ahead of the checkered flag. The gap was a scant .0233 of a second (photo, above). A wow moment indeed.

Paul Kelly: This was a tough question that came down to two possible answers for me: The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. or Scott Dixon’s move from Chip Ganassi Racing to Arrow McLaren. But I must choose the race in the capital (photo, top). I remember hearing rumblings about this once-in-a-lifetime event in early January, right after returning from the holidays, but dismissed the idea almost immediately. A race in D.C.? With less than a year to pull it off? No way. But the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. was announced Jan. 30 and built and executed in less than seven months by Bud Denker and his Penske Entertainment and local D.C. team. It was a spectacular setting for a race with all sorts of logistical and organizational hurdles, and INDYCAR had the audacity to agree to stage the event and then pulled it off with such success. I would have thought a year ago that I had a better chance of making the NHL as a 60-year-old than a race taking place around the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. Well, after INDYCAR pulled this off as a spectacular success, maybe I should sharpen my skates and tape my stick.