2021 IndyCar Series
The 2021 NTT IndyCar Series was the 26th season of the IndyCar Series and the 110th official championship season of American open wheel racing. The premier event was the 2021 Indianapolis 500, won by Hélio Castroneves (Meyer Shank Racing). It was the second year under Penske management after they took over in late 2019. Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) entered his 21st season competing for a National Championship as the defending champion, but ultimately finished the campaign in fourth place. Second-year driver Álex Palou became the first Spanish driver to win the series championship, winning a  joint-most three races during the campaign for Chip Ganassi Racing. He finished 38 points clear of Team Penske's Josef Newgarden, who won two races, and finished second in points for the second year in succession. Third place in the championship went to Pato O'Ward for Arrow McLaren SP, who like Newgarden, won two races during the season. A total of nine drivers won races during the season, with Colton Herta (Andretti Autosport) also winning three races. The Manufacturers' Cup was won by Honda for the fourth consecutive season, while Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske) won Rookie of the Year  honors. Background. 2021 was to be the final season that the and Dallara DW12 chassis package (which debuted in 2012 and 2018 respectively) was to be used in competition. It was also scheduled to be the final season for the 2.2-litre V6 twin-turbocharged engine package that debuted in 2012; in October 2020, this was delayed for an additional season, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Confirmed entries. The following teams and drivers competed in the 2021 NTT IndyCar Series season. All teams used a spec Dallara IR18 chassis with and Firestone tires. Schedule. On October 1, 2020 , a seventeen-race calendar was announced. Iowa Speedway did not return from the 2020 IndyCar Series calendar, while all tracks that were unable to host races in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic returned to the calendar with the exception of Circuit of the Americas and Richmond Raceway. A second road course race at Indianapolis was held once again, as part of a doubleheader on Brickyard weekend in August. On December 17, 2020, it was announced that in order to provide "the best opportunity to provide our guests with a fun and exciting experience in a safe and unrestricted environment