Honda Drivers Aim for Victory at Phoenix Raceway

Chip Ganassi Racing's Alex Palou and Dale Coyne Racing's Romain Grosjean and Dennis Hauger look to continue Honda's success at the historic Arizona circuit.

Mar. 5, 2026 at 7:03pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season is underway, and Honda-powered drivers are primed for success at this weekend's Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway. Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing, who won eight races in 2025 including the Indianapolis 500, is looking to continue his winning ways. Meanwhile, the Dale Coyne Racing duo of Romain Grosjean and Dennis Hauger, the 2025 INDY NXT champion, are aiming to build on their strong start to the season.

Why it matters

Phoenix Raceway has a long history in open-wheel racing, and Honda has found success there in the past, with Tony Kanaan winning twice for Andretti Green Racing in 2003 and 2004. This weekend's race provides an opportunity for Honda-powered drivers to add to that legacy and potentially establish themselves as early title contenders in the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.

The details

Palou and the #10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda dominated the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, winning by over 13 seconds. Grosjean and Hauger also impressed in that race, with Grosjean qualifying sixth and finishing eighth, while Hauger, making his IndyCar debut, qualified third and finished 10th. Phoenix Raceway has not hosted an IndyCar race since 2018, but Honda has found success there in the past, with Kanaan's two wins and Scott Dixon's victory in 2016 when the series returned to the track.

  • The Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway will take place on Saturday, March 5, 2026.
  • Practice and qualifying for the race will air on FS2 earlier in the weekend.

The players

Alex Palou

The 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion, who drives the #10 Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

Romain Grosjean

A former Formula 1 driver who is returning to Dale Coyne Racing in 2026.

Dennis Hauger

The 2025 INDY NXT champion, who is making his IndyCar debut with Dale Coyne Racing in 2026.

Tony Kanaan

The former IndyCar driver who won twice at Phoenix Raceway in 2003 and 2004 for Andretti Green Racing.

Scott Dixon

The six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion, who has a victory at Phoenix Raceway in 2016.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must continue to build on our strong start to the season and show that Honda power is the way to go at Phoenix Raceway.”

— Alex Palou

“I'm excited to get back to Phoenix and see if we can replicate the success Honda has had there in the past.”

— Scott Dixon

What’s next

The Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway will be a crucial early-season test for the Honda-powered drivers as they look to establish themselves as title contenders in the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

The takeaway

Honda's history of success at Phoenix Raceway, combined with the strong start to the season for drivers like Palou, Grosjean, and Hauger, suggests that the manufacturer could be poised for another dominant performance at the iconic Arizona circuit.