Meyer Shank Racing's 2026 INDYCAR Season: Can They Challenge the Big Four? (2026)

Bold claim: Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian is on the cusp of a breakthrough in 2026, and fans won’t want to miss how this story unfolds. But here’s where it gets controversial: can the team translate recent progress into sustained dominance against the sport’s elite? Inside Line’s panel tackles this pivotal question as we preview MSR’s 2026 season.

Curt Cavin: There’s real curiosity about whether Meyer Shank Racing can replicate or even surpass the solid momentum from 2025. Felix Rosenqvist ended sixth in the standings and Marcus Armstrong placed eighth, marking a season that felt like two pendulums swinging— Rosenqvist delivering a strong first half with five top-10s in the opening six races, including a podium-worthy fourth at the Indianapolis 500, while Armstrong closed hard, logging nine top-10 finishes in the last 11 events. Interestingly, the duo combined for only 36 lead laps all year and never topped eight in a single race, yet both cars consistently outpaced all three Team Penske entries and drew steady FOX camera attention. That mix of strong performances and quiet efficiency makes it tricky to pin down their ultimate legacy from 2025. The takeaway is clear: MSR has built substantial progress in recent years, and I expect them to take another meaningful step forward in 2026.

Eric Smith: The No. 66 entry stands out to me. Before Armstrong joined, the program hovered around the lower rungs—18th, 19th, and 20th across three seasons with drivers like Tom Blomqvist, Helio Castroneves, and David Malukas. Armstrong changed the trajectory, finishing eighth in points in 2025, the best season of his career despite a win drought spanning 46 starts. He had claimed 2023 Rookie of the Year honors while competing part-time with Chip Ganassi Racing, and his full-time move in 2024 yielded four top-fives, eight top-10s, and a 14th-place points run. Moving to Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian in 2025 continued that growth: two top-fives, 11 top-10s, and 28 laps led. The pattern is unmistakable: Armstrong and the No. 66 Honda appear poised for a top-five championship, signaling a genuine upward trajectory.

Arni Sribhen: For MSR in 2026, continuity is the keyword. Both Rosenqvist and Armstrong return in their current roles, paired with the same engineers, and there’s a renewed collaboration with Chip Ganassi Racing. With that stability, the team has a real shot at not just staying in the midfield but moving into regular contention with the sport’s title contenders. Rosenqvist and Armstrong both finished inside the top eight in the standings last year, which means growth isn’t just desirable—it’s necessary to elevate MSR into the “Big Four” conversation. Wins and NTT P1 Awards would be powerful accelerants toward that goal, signaling that the team can translate consistency into championships.