Key takeaways
- Record-breaking 18th title: Chip Ganassi Racing became the most successful team in IndyCar history, breaking a tie with Team Penske by securing its 18th championship.
- Rapid rise to dominance: Ganassi achieved 18 titles in just 36 years, overtaking a Penske organization that has fielded full-time entries since 1973.
- Palou’s modern dynasty: Álex Palou’s four consecutive titles from 2023 to 2026 provided the final push to leapfrog Penske in the record books.
Chip Ganassi Racing made history on Sunday at the Milwaukee Mile, officially surpassing Team Penske to become the single most successful team in IndyCar Series history.
Following Álex Palou’s 10th-place finish in Race 1, the Spaniard locked up his fifth individual title, handing Ganassi its 18th national championship—breaking a 17-all tie with Roger Penske’s legendary squad.
While both organizations stand as the twin pillars of American open-wheel racing, Ganassi’s achievement is extraordinary given the timeframe. Team Penske has competed full-time in IndyCar since 1973, whereas Chip Ganassi established his team in 1990 after purchasing the assets of Patrick Racing.
Ganassi earned its first championship in 1996 with Jimmy Vasser, launching a dominant four-year championship streak with Alex Zanardi (1997, 1998) and Juan Pablo Montoya (1999).
The team’s modern era was built around the historic partnership with Scott Dixon, who claimed his first title in 2003 before adding championships in 2008, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020. Coupled with Dario Franchitti’s dominant three-year streak from 2009 to 2011, Ganassi remained in a neck-and-neck title war with Penske for decades.
The decisive shift came via Álex Palou. Since joining the team in 2021, Palou has won five titles in six years—including four consecutive championships from 2023 through 2026—officially pushing Ganassi ahead of Penske on the all-time list.
This historic team landmark follows a massive weekend of news, including Palou securing his fifth title as O’Ward swept Milwaukee and Palou entering the conversation among motorsport’s all-time greats.
The 2026 IndyCar Series season concludes next weekend, September 4–6, at Laguna Seca. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all sessions live. Follow updates on our news page.
All-Time IndyCar Entrant/Team Championships
| Team | Total Titles | First Title | Championship Drivers |
| Chip Ganassi Racing | 18 | 1996 | Vasser (1), Zanardi (2), Montoya (1), Dixon (6), Franchitti (3), Palou (5) |
| Team Penske | 17 | 1977 | Tom Sneva (2), Rick Mears (3), Al Unser (1), Danny Sullivan (1), Al Unser Jr. (1), Gil de Ferran (2), Sam Hornish Jr. (1), Ryan Hunter-Reay (1), Will Power (2), Simon Pagenaud (1), Josef Newgarden (2) |
| Newman/Haas Racing | 8 | 1984 | Mario Andretti (1), Michael Andretti (1), Nigel Mansell (1), Cristiano da Matta (1), Sébastien Bourdais (4) |
| Vel’s Parnelli Jones Racing | 3 | 1970 | Al Unser (2), Joe Leonard (1) |
| Andretti Global | 3 | 2004 | Tony Kanaan (1), Dan Wheldon (1), Dario Franchitti (1) |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. How many IndyCar titles has Chip Ganassi Racing won?
Chip Ganassi Racing has won 18 IndyCar Series championships, making them the most successful team in series history.
2. Which drivers have won titles for Chip Ganassi Racing?
Six drivers have won titles for Ganassi: Álex Palou (5), Scott Dixon (6), Dario Franchitti (3), Alex Zanardi (2), Jimmy Vasser (1), and Juan Pablo Montoya (1).
3. When did Chip Ganassi Racing win its first IndyCar championship?
Ganassi won its first championship in 1996 with American driver Jimmy Vasser during the CART era.
