Scott Dixon’s remarkable career has reached yet another milestone, with the Kiwi great set to be inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.
The six-time NTT IndyCar Series champion and 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner will be formally honoured at a ceremony in downtown Indianapolis on May 21, just days before this year’s running of the 110th Indy 500. He will be inducted alongside legendary Italian constructor Giampaolo Dallara.
For Dixon, the recognition comes while he is still firmly in the fight at the front of the grid.
“It is a huge honour to be inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame. 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,” Dixon said.
Dixon’s connection to Indianapolis spans nearly a quarter of a century. Since making his IndyCar debut in 2001, he has built one of the most consistent and decorated careers the series has ever seen.
His crowning moment at the Speedway came in 2008 when he converted pole position into victory in the Indianapolis 500. Across his 23 starts in the event, he has added four further pole positions – giving him five in total, just one shy of Rick Mears’ all-time record – and stood on the podium six times.
Beyond the oval, Dixon has also tasted success on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, claiming two victories there, most recently in 2023.
The numbers across his broader IndyCar career are equally staggering. Dixon’s six championships place him second on the all-time list, while his 59 race wins also rank second in series history. In 2025, he secured at least one victory for a record 21st consecutive season, underlining a level of longevity rarely seen in top-level motorsport.
Now 45, Dixon remains the longest-serving full-time driver in the IndyCar paddock. After joining Chip Ganassi Racing in 2002, he has never left the team, and 2026 will mark his 25th season with the organisation – the longest driver tenure in its history. He also becomes the first active full-time IndyCar driver to be inducted into the IMS Hall of Fame.
The honour adds to what has already been a significant period of recognition for the New Zealander, who was recently appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to motorsport.
Dixon and Dallara were selected by a nationwide voting panel comprising more than 150 journalists, former drivers, industry figures and historians. It was the first time both men had appeared on the ballot.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum President Michael Good said the pair’s contributions to the sport made them clear choices.
“Scott Dixon and Giampaolo Dallara are at the very top of their respective fields. Their consistency, skill, and unwavering determination have led to success not only at Indianapolis Motor Speedway but in every aspect of their careers,” Good said. “The Museum is honoured to be the steward of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, and we’re thrilled to add these two deserving inductees.”
The Hall of Fame traces its roots back to 1952, when it was established as the Auto Racing Hall of Fame in Detroit. It has since evolved into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, recognising more than 150 of the sport’s most influential figures – from drivers and team owners to engineers and journalists.
Dixon’s induction ensures that his name will now sit permanently among those icons, a fitting tribute to a career that continues to redefine durability and excellence in IndyCar racing.
Yet, as he made clear, the focus has not shifted to reflection just yet. With another Indianapolis 500 on the horizon, the Kiwi veteran’s sights remain set on adding to his legacy rather than simply celebrating it.
Header Image: Penske Entertainment – Joe Skibinski
