The world of INDYCAR is always in motion, and the off-season is no exception! Teams are constantly tweaking their lineups, and this year, we've seen some significant shifts in key personnel. Let's dive into the latest moves shaking up the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and beyond.
First up, the team shuffle. Veteran manager Brian Barnhart is making a move from Arrow McLaren to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL). He'll be stepping into the role of Senior Vice President of Operations. Joining him at RLL is experienced mechanic Kyle Sagan, who will take on the role of Pit Stop Manager. These are critical positions, and their expertise will undoubtedly impact RLL's performance.
But that's not all. Arrow McLaren isn't just losing talent; they're also gaining. Veteran engineer Olivier Boisson has joined the team as Head of Damper Engineering. This is a significant addition, bringing years of experience and expertise to the team. Boisson has a long and respected career in the INDYCAR paddock. He previously worked with KV Racing Technology, Dale Coyne Racing, and Andretti Global.
And this is the part most people miss... Barnhart's new role at RLL will also see him serve as the race strategist for Graham Rahal's No. 15 Honda. This move also reunites Barnhart with RLL President Jay Frye, as the two worked together in the 2010s at INDYCAR. This connection could prove to be a powerful advantage for the team. Arrow McLaren is also making moves, having placed two drivers in the top five of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES standings for the first time in 2025, with Pato O’Ward placing second and Christian Lundgaard fifth.
Now, let's shift gears to endurance racing. NTT INDYCAR SERIES champions Alex Palou and Scott Dixon are teaming up with Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) for select IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship events in 2026. This is exciting news for fans of both series, as it brings together some of the best drivers in the world.
But here's where it gets controversial... Dixon and former INDYCAR SERIES driver AJ Allmendinger will join full-time MSR sports car drivers Tom Blomqvist and Colin Braun in the No. 60 Acura ARX-06 prototype in the premier GTP class at the Rolex 24 At Daytona on January 25-26. Dixon, a six-time INDYCAR SERIES champion, has already won the Rolex 24 four times. Palou and Japanese standout Kakunoshin Ohta will share the No. 93 Acura ARX-06 with full-time MSR sports car drivers Renger van der Zande and Nick Yelloly in the Rolex 24. This is a bold move, and it will be interesting to see how these pairings perform.
Dixon and Palou will also be in the team’s lineups at the 12 Hours of Sebring in mid-March and the season-ending Petit Le Mans in early October.
In other news, Arrow McLaren is also making strides off the track. They've announced a multiyear sponsorship of Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA). This collaboration aims to advance, connect, and enable women across the motorsports industry. The team will play a key role in Women with Drive - Driven by Mobil 1, WIMNA’s annual Indianapolis-based summit December 8-10. This is a great initiative, and it's fantastic to see a team supporting diversity and inclusion.
What do you think of these moves? Are you excited to see Barnhart and Sagan at RLL? Do you think Dixon and Palou will be successful in endurance racing? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! And don't forget to share this article with your fellow racing enthusiasts!
