Today’s question: What is the most interesting under-the-radar story of the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season that you’re watching most closely?

Curt Cavin: There is a lot going on at Andretti Global, and the most-discussed aspect of the past six months is the changing leadership structure as team founder Michael Andretti reduces his role. On the track, Colton Herta had his best season in 2024, winning two races, including his first on an oval track, and three poles as he finished second in the standings. He figures to be an even stronger title contender this year. Kyle Kirkwood was consistently strong last year, too, following Herta to the checkered flag in Andretti Global’s dominating weekend in Toronto. All these things are established storylines for the upcoming season, but I’m just as interested in how Marcus Ericsson fares in his second season with the organization. It seemed bad luck dogged the 2022 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge champion at every turn last year, with crashes in three of the final six races while leading only a single lap during the season. For my money, Ericsson is too talented and experienced not to have a major bounce-back, so keep an eye on that.

Eric Smith: I’m watching Christian Lundgaard competing in his fourth NTT INDYCAR SERIES season but first driving the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Lundgaard, the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year, brings one victory in 2023 at Toronto, two NTT P1 Awards, seven top-five results and 21 top-10 finishes in 52 starts with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Expectations are larger moving to Arrow McLaren, which is also in a transition. McLaren Racing, which partnered with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in 2020 and took over as the majority stakeholder a year later, took sole ownership of the INDYCAR SERIES operation on Jan. 1, buying the remaining stake from Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson. Also, Gavin Ward has departed as team principal, and 2004 INDYCAR SEIRES champion Tony Kanaan is running the team’s day-to-day operations. McLaren boasts a strong foundation with seven wins since 2020 (all by Pato O’Ward), including three last season. Lundgaard is replacing Alexander Rossi, who was winless in 33 starts in the car but had nine top-five finishes and 21 top 10s and a pair of top-10 points finishes in two seasons. Lundgaard, who lacked consistency with RLL, will have cars capable of securing wins no matter the track type.

Paul Kelly: I want to see if Michael Cannon brings sudden positive impact with him to PREMA Racing. Cannon is one of the true mad scientists among NTT INDYCAR SERIES engineers, a guy who improves seemingly every team he joins – and often in a hurry. Cannon oversaw the resurgence of AJ Foyt Racing last season in its first year of a technical alliance with Team Penske, as Santino Ferrucci achieved the team’s first top-10 points finish since 2002. Cannon also helped Scott Dixon win the series championship in 2020, and that duo also snared consecutive Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge poles, in 2021 and 2022. Cannon is well traveled around the paddock, as he has worked for power teams like Ganassi, Andretti Global and Player’s Forsythe Racing. But he also has worked wonders with smaller teams such as Ed Carpenter Racing, Dale Coyne Racing and Foyt’s team, usually elevating them to new heights of competitiveness. PREMA is entering the series this season cold, with no prior experience, so the hiring of Cannon could be a pivotal move to help the team that has dominated European junior formula racing gain a quick foothold in North America’s top open-wheel series.