Lundgaard Replaces Dixon in No. 9 as CGR and McLaren Complete Driver Swap
Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) has signed Danish driver Christian Lundgaard to a multiyear contract to drive the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda starting in the 2027 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The move completes a driver swap with Arrow McLaren, which is acquiring six-time series champion Scott Dixon. Lundgaard, 25, joins CGR after a career-best 2026 season in which he finished third in the championship standings and won races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and Road America. He will team up with five-time champion Alex Palou and Kyffin Simpson. PNC Bank will continue as the primary sponsor of the No. 9 entry, a partnership that has lasted since 2013.
Key points
- CGR signed Lundgaard to a multiyear deal for the 2027 season, replacing Scott Dixon.
- Lundgaard finished third in the 2026 championship with two race wins and his first oval podium.
- The move completes a swap with Arrow McLaren, which is taking on Dixon for 2027.
- Lundgaard will join Alex Palou and Kyffin Simpson in the CGR lineup.
- PNC Bank will remain the primary sponsor of the No. 9 car, continuing a partnership since 2013.
Background
Lundgaard began his IndyCar career with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2021 before moving to Arrow McLaren in 2025. He won his first IndyCar race in Toronto in 2023, becoming the first Danish driver to win in the series. CGR has won 18 series championships since 1996, making it one of the most successful franchises in American motorsports.
How outlets are covering it
IndyCar.com and Motorsport.com emphasize Lundgaard’s potential as a championship contender and CGR’s history of developing young talent. IndyStar highlights the driver swap between CGR and Arrow McLaren, noting that McLaren released Lundgaard due to doubts about his oval performance, while gaining Dixon to bolster its Indianapolis 500 and championship efforts. Road & Track focuses on Lundgaard’s 2026 results but provides limited additional detail. All sources confirm the multiyear nature of the deal and PNC Bank’s continued sponsorship.
Why it matters
The signing reshapes the competitive landscape in IndyCar, as Lundgaard joins a team with 18 championships and a driver lineup that includes five-time champion Alex Palou. The swap with Arrow McLaren also strengthens both teams’ prospects for the 2027 season, particularly on road and street courses for CGR and on ovals for McLaren.
What to watch
The 2027 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins on March 7 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Lundgaard will compete in the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda, while Dixon will drive for Arrow McLaren. Both teams will aim for race wins and championships in the upcoming season.
- Ganassi Signs Christian Lundgaard To Drive No. 9 in Multiyear Deal INDYCAR.com
- Ganassi confirms Lundgaard for No.9 IndyCar entry RACER - Racing News
- Chip Ganassi Racing signs Christian Lundgaard for 2027 in multi-year IndyCar deal Motorsport.com
- Christian Lundgaard joins Chip Ganassi Racing, completing Scott Dixon swap with Arrow McLaren IndyStar
- Chip Ganassi Racing Signs IndyCar Star Christian Lundgaard Road & Track
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