Ganassi Finalizes 2025 Driver Line-Up, Expands To Indy NXT Grid

Source: Paul Hurley/Penske Entertainment / other

INDIANAPOLIS — With Chip Ganassi Racing downsizing its IndyCar team between last season and the upcoming season, CGR has finalized its three drivers for the 2025 IndyCar season.

But with some extra resources to play with from the downsizing, CGR will also be expanding its reach to the Indy NXT Series paddock as well.

In 2025 the IndyCar stable will be made up of defending series champion Alex Palou, veteran and six-time champion Scott Dixon, and young up-and-coming driver Kyffin Simpson.

“As we move toward 2025, we are looking to defend the championship with a strong lineup of drivers and look to continue Kyffin’s development,” said team owner Chip Ganassi.

“I’m excited. I’m ready to get going,” said Dixon. “I wish there wasn’t such a long offseason. We had lots of great races last year. It didn’t end the way that we would’ve liked with some DNFs and some poor results here and there, but the team did a great job with great speed. I’m looking forward to the season, and obviously going for championship number seven.”

As for the Indy NXT line-up for CGR, the team will be bringing in Jonathan Browne and Niels Koolen. They will mark the first time since 2007 that CGR has fielded drivers in the Indt NXT Series.

This will be Browne’s second season in Indy NXT having started 14 races in 2024 with HMD Motorsports. Koolen also competed in Indy NXT in 2024 making nine starts for HMD Motorsports, but he also was busy elsewhere including European Le Mans Series and four starts in Formula 2.