Wisevoter
U.S.

Chip Ganassi Racing Enforced Scott Dixon Non-Compete Clause

The veteran driver is sidelined until 2027 due to contract restrictions.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Motorsports

Chip Ganassi Racing Enforced Scott Dixon Non-Compete Clause

Live Poll

Should professional athletes be restricted by non-compete clauses when changing teams?

Chip Ganassi Racing has invoked a non-compete clause in Scott Dixon's contract, preventing him from joining Arrow McLaren Racing until January 1, 2027. This decision concludes a 25-season tenure for the driver with the organization.

Why it matters

The enforcement of this contractual restriction highlights the competitive nature of driver movement in elite motorsport. It ensures that outgoing talent cannot immediately leverage proprietary team knowledge with a direct rival.

Scott Dixon served 25 seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing before this transition. Upon joining Arrow McLaren, he is slated to drive the No. 6 car, while teammate Felix Rosenqvist will operate the No. 7 machine.

The players

Scott Dixon

Scott Dixon is a legendary IndyCar driver who completed 25 seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing.

Chip Ganassi Racing

Chip Ganassi Racing is a premier professional auto racing organization that competes in multiple series.

Arrow McLaren Racing

Arrow McLaren Racing is a top-tier IndyCar team operated in partnership with the McLaren Formula 1 organization.

Will Power

Will Power is a professional IndyCar driver who previously navigated similar gardening leave restrictions.

Felix Rosenqvist

Felix Rosenqvist is a professional race car driver currently slated to drive the No. 7 car for Arrow McLaren.

The details

The team chose to uphold the restriction against the departing driver, requiring a period of gardening leave through the end of the year. This action follows a precedent established by similar maneuvers, such as when Will Power faced gardening leave restrictions while leaving Team Penske.

Timeline

  1. Scott Dixon will become eligible to join Arrow McLaren on January 1, 2027.

  2. The 2026 season finale concluded in September 2026 at Laguna Seca.

Season Trajectory

This enforcement disrupts the anticipated 2027 grid dynamics and forces Arrow McLaren to adjust its initial roster integration strategy. It also leaves Chip Ganassi Racing in a transition phase, with Christian Lundgaard expected to step into the seat left by Dixon.

Fantasy owners and fans must account for the vacancy at Chip Ganassi Racing, which is expected to be filled by Christian Lundgaard. Scott Dixon will be unable to participate in team activities for Arrow McLaren until the start of the 2027 calendar year.

The takeaway

Contractual non-compete clauses serve as a significant barrier for veteran athletes looking to switch teams in high-stakes professional racing. Fans should expect similar gardening leave periods to remain a common feature of high-level driver movement across the league.

Further reading

For more background on driver movement and contract trends, explore the Motorsports section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by RACER.

Live Poll

Should professional athletes be restricted by non-compete clauses when changing teams?