ADVENT CALENDAR DOOR 7 – 7 Drivers I want to see give IndyCar a try
From the world’s best young drivers to some season vets, there is a near endless number of drivers that could find their way to IndyCar, below are seven that I would love to see, even just on a one-off.
#1 – Connor Zillisch
The 19 year old phenom is the most sought after young talent in America, and for good reason! Before even turning 18 he was already a Daytona 24 and Sebring 12 hour class winner in LMP2.
He then proceeded to jump over to NASCAR, racing for JR Motorsports for his rookie year in the 2nd division XFINITY series he won an unheard of TEN times, with 18 consecutive top 5 finishes and only nearly lost the championship due to the questionable playoff format.
Also he has made select Cup Series starts and performed very well, he is contracted to race full time for Trackhouse Racing in 2026, and their team owner has hinted at maybe someday looking into an Indy 500 entry.
#2 Shane Van Gisbergen
Similar to Zillisch, SVG is currently tearing it up on the NASCAR scene having just won 4 road course races this past Cup Series season. He is also a 3-time Supercars champion in Australia, also winning the Bathurst 1000 in 2020, 2022 and 2023. Just based on his road course talent I would LOVE to watch him give a road course race a try.
#3 Ryan Blaney
I feel some may be getting tired of the nascar drivers on this list, but this is the most likely option of them all: Blaney, 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion currently drives for Team Penske.
I would love to one day see him do a seat swap with IndyCar ace Scott McLaughlin, a great opportunity for this would be the Phoenix Raceway NASCAR/IndyCar double in March, or if they ever did it again at the IMS road course.
#4 Nick Cassidy
A wildcard pick here but I have always believed Cassidy to be a very quick, talented driver who never got the chance he deserved. He is a Super Formula Champion as well as New Zealand GP winner and currently competes for Jaguar in Formula E.
#5 Victor Martins
Martins was part of the Alpine Academy, he is currently competing in his 3rd year of F2, he has 4 wins and is the 2022 Formula 3 champion.
His route to Formula 1 seems unlikely at this point so it’ll be interesting to see where he ends up, maybe Indy is a an enticing option. His high-level speed is undeniable, but IndyCar would allow him to prove his versatility on ovals, road courses, and street tracks.
#6 Alex Dunne
Similer to Martins, the former McLaren junior, now on the firnges of Red Bull, is completing his rookie F2 season, he’s won twice, has lots of raw talent though is a little inexperienced but as a alternate should his road to F1 fall through I think Indy would be an interesting pick.
Alex Dunne has stood out in junior formulas with his raw pace and aggressive yet controlled racecraft. The Irishman has the kind of determination that often pays off in IndyCar, especially on tight street circuits. His rapid development suggests he could quickly find his footing and challenge seasoned veterans in the series.
#7 Tim Tramnitz
Tim Tramnitz is one of Germany’s most exciting young prospects. It’s so early in his career, still competing in F3 he won once in Imola this past season, i just don’t know what his route to F1 looks like and feel like he would be a good fit in the IndyCar world.
His calm, analytical driving style would translate well to IndyCar, where adaptability across a wide range of circuits is crucial. A move stateside could give him the opportunity to further refine his racecraft in a highly competitive environment.
Your Opinion is needed
Which driver would you like to see take on IndyCar, and what makes them the perfect fit for the series in your opinion? Share your thoughts with us in the comments or send us a DM on Instagram.
written by Carlos Faria / Media Credit: Penske Entertainment
