RECAP/PHOTOS: 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Mission Foods Grand Prix Of Monterey At Laguna Seca

by Hunter Thomas September 9, 2026 0 comments

MONTEREY, Calif. – Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin absolutely dominated the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey on Sunday at Laguna Seca to capture his first NTT INDTCAR SERIES victory in more than two years.

McLaughlin sat on the pole in the No. 3 DEX Chevrolet, and throughout the day, he led a race high of 87 laps, leading all but eight laps. The victory marked the eighth of his career, and he did so by outrunning Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood by 1.3739 seconds.

Alexander Rossi finished third, and rounding out the top-five was Felix Rosenqvist and David Malukas.

Following the checkered flag, Alex Palou, who finished eighth, celebrated his fifth NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver clinched the week prior at the Milwaukee Mile. The title run is his fourth consecutive for the organization.

On Sunday, there were seven lead changes among four drivers.

The caution only came out once, and it was for contact between rookie Dennis Hauger and Sting Ray Robb in Turn 6. Despite the crash, Hauger won Rookie of the Year for this season. He topped Mick Schumacher by a mere 15 points.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will be back in action in March 2027 for the season-opener at St. Petersburg.

Below are photos TheFourthTurn.com’s Mark Muñoz snapped throughout the race in California.