Sunoco returns as primary sponsor for Simpson’s Ganassi IndyCar entry
Kyffin Simpson’s No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda will wear the iconic colors of Sunoco throughout his 2026 NTT IndyCar Series campaign. The Caymanian enters his third full season with the defending series champions, and joins a roster of legends and stars who’ve been adorned in Sunoco’s yellow and blue livery.
“With the deal, Sunoco returns to the IndyCar Series with a full season team primary partnership for the first time in 53 years,” the team stated in its announcement. “Sunoco’s relationship with IndyCar goes back to 1968 in Riverside, Calif., when Mark Donohue drove the No. 12 Sunoco Eagle. Donohue and Sunoco won their first Indianapolis 500 four years later. Its IndyCar roster also includes Gary Bettenhousen, Tony Kanaan, NASCAR legend Bobby Allison and current IndyCar on FOX personality Townsend Bell.”
The 21-year-old got a comparatively late start in open-wheel racing after entering the Formula Regional Americas and F4 US championships in 2020. By 2024, Simpson was in IndyCar with Ganassi where he placed 21st in the standings as a rookie and improved to 17th last season.
The 21-year-old got a comparatively late start in open-wheel racing after entering the Formula Regional Americas and F4 US championships in 2020. By 2024, Simpson was in IndyCar with Ganassi where he placed 21st in the standings as a rookie and improved to 17th last season.
With teammate Alex Palou placing a dominant first in the championship – his fourth title in five years – and CGR veteran (and six-time champion) Scott Dixon taking third in the standings, their understudy has a clear understanding of what can be achieved in identical machinery.
“Starting my third year in IndyCar with Sunoco joining the No. 8 Honda is an incredible boost,” Simpson said. “We’ve made big strides on the track, and this partnership will only help us get better, I’m confident we can take another step forward and have even more success in 2026 and beyond.”
