Six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon has achieved a historic milestone by being inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver is one of two inductees alongside Giampaolo Dallara, the owner of Dallara Motorsports, which has been providing chassis to IndyCar for decades.
Dixon made his IndyCar debut in 2001 and has been the most consistent driver since then, winning a race in 23 of 25 seasons, tallying 58 wins, including the biggest triumph of his career at the 2008 Indy 500. On Tuesday, Feb. 10, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced that the 45-year-old New Zealander will become the first full-time active driver to be inducted into the IMS Hall of Fame.
Scott Dixon and Giampaolo Dallara were chosen by a national panel of more than 150 journalists, drivers, industry leaders, historians, and other members of the Hall of Fame.
“It is a huge honor to be inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame,” Dixon said (via RACER). “It’s such a historic venue in motorsports and means so much to me, having raced here for so many years now.”
“Honestly, it feels a little surreal as I’m still focused on winning here in May. It’s the competition that drives me, even in year 25 with Chip Ganassi Racing. The Indianapolis 500 is the biggest sporting event in the world, and another win here would be incredible, so that’s the goal for 2026.”
Scott Dixon has a brilliant track record at the IMS. He has secured five poles for the Indy 500 and finished on the podium five times, besides his sole win at the prestigious race in 2008. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver also secured four back-to-back second-place finishes at the IMS road courses between 2017 and 2020.
The Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis on May 21, three days before the 110th Indy 500 on May 24.
Scott Dixon satisfied with nothing but “winning” as he enters his 26th IndyCar season
Scott Dixon felt he had an unusual IndyCar season last year. 2025 was the first year that IndyCar used the new hybrid power units in the cars for the entire season after their introduction in mid-2024.
The new PUs added over 100 pounds of weight to the rear of the car, which unsettled the six-time IndyCar champion’s driving style. His teammate Alex Palou‘s smoother driving style had no match, and the Spaniard dominantly won his fourth IndyCar title, with 8 wins in 17 races.
Scott Dixon won only one race and secured a couple more podiums. However, he still finished third in the championship standings because of his consistency over the entire season. During IndyCar’s content days in late January, when Dixon was asked if he felt good finishing so high up at 45 years old compared to drivers in their 20s.
“Yeah, but third for me still sucks,” the No. 9 Chevy driver replied. “You want to be winning, so that’s all that really matters. Yeah, I don’t know. The group has definitely gotten — Will (Power) and I are 45. I kind of don’t know what the next — maybe Graham (Rahal) is like the next. It’s an interesting time because I remember clearly when I first came into the sport, and it doesn’t seem that long ago.”
“No, it’s awesome to — again, we’re very lucky to do what we do. I feel great to be in this position. But ultimately you just want to win. Not many people remember who came third last year. They only remember the champion.”
For Scott Dixon, the Hall of Fame induction is the second huge news on the recognition front. The IndyCar legend received a knighthood in his native New Zealand’s New Year’s Honors List last year.
Edited by Yash Kotak
