We knew that this year’s edition of Silly Season could go one of two ways but it was all predicated by the dominos of Chip Ganassi Racing. Now, those dominos have fallen leaving this year’s silly season less silly.

Alex Palou was the top domino but all signs point to him staying right where he is. There’s no denying that he sent the letter to McLaren that he wasn’t coming anymore. Too many words have been said for that to not be true. I don’t think he leaves both them and Ganassi at the alter which likely means he’s back in the No. 10 Dallara-Honda for 2024.

We know Scott Dixon is returning. Marcus Ericsson was the next domino in line to fall and last week, it was announced that he’s going to Andretti Autosport. That left a ride open at Ganassi which was quickly filled 8 days later by Linus Lundqvist.

Which leaves what?

Team Penske is remaining status quo. 3 of the 4 seats at Ganassi and Andretti are filled. So who leads the next domino?

It’s Andretti and Romain Grosjean. What do they do here? Devlin DeFrancesco is leaving at seasons end and I’ve heard his name mentioned with Dale Coyne Racing and Ed Carpenter Racing. With Ericsson coming aboard, is he replacing DeFrancesco or Grosjean?

Grosjean and Andretti were destined to a contract extension heading into May. The relationship has soured and it sounds as if both sides could be heading towards a split. If that’s so, what does that do with DHL?

I’ve heard Ganassi could be in play for the sponsor but also could see it shifting to Ericsson in the 28 ride.

Another domino is RLL and their 30 seat. While the 15 seat is technically open, I’ve heard it’s all a formality that Graham Rahal will be returning. I don’t see where else he’d go anyhow as both he and the team want to make it work. With Christian Lundgaard back, who joins them?

Juri Vips being thrust into the final two races shows how highly the team regards him so don’t sleep on this being their three-car team for 2024. However, the team was high on Felix Rosenqvist last season and I think Rosenqvist leaves McLaren still even with Palou not coming.

Rosenqvist makes sense for either RLL or Meyer Shank Racing’s open seat. Maybe even over at Andretti too.

McLaren has an interest in Callum Ilott. I’ve heard from multiple sources that McLaren and Juncos Hollinger Racing are going to form an alliance like the recently announced Foyt and Penske deal or what MSR and Andretti have. It gives them the extra space to house extra cars now. Does Ilott shift over to McLaren or stay in the 77 another year? Does Agustin Canapino come back to the 78? He’s impressed as a rookie so I don’t see why he would leave.

Another piece to this is David Malukas. He sounds as if he has a deal. Is it with McLaren? I heard he was close with ECR too. Maybe he’s in play for a seat at MSR.

Foyt has both drivers signed and while both looked elsewhere too, I don’t see why their lineup doesn’t look the same in 2024 as it did in 2023.

Confirmed Rides

Chevy (6)

Penske (3): Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, Will Power

Arrow McLaren (2): Pato O’Ward, Alexander Rossi

Ed Carpenter Racing (1): Rinus VeeKay

Honda (8):

Chip Ganassi Racing (3): Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, Linus Lundqvist

Andretti Autosport (3): Colton Herta, Kyle Kirkwood, Marcus Ericsson

Meyer Shank Racing (1): Tom Blomqvist

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (1): Christian Lundgaard

Rides Open

Chevy (6)

Arrow McLaren (1): Down to Rosenqvist, Ilott or maybe a surprise like Malukas.

Juncos Hollinger Racing (2): They’re high on Agustin Canapino and unless Ilott leaves, I don’t see much movement here outside of the rumored alliance.

AJ Foyt Racing (2): I don’t see a path to where either Santino Ferrucci or Benjamin Pedersen leaves.

Ed Carpenter Racing (1): Heard DeFrancesco and Malukas mentioned for the 20 seat. Don’t sleep on Christian Rasmussen either.

Honda (7)

Chip Ganassi Racing (1): More than likely Marcus Armstrong’s seat.

Andretti Autosport (1): Is it Grosjean or someone like Malukas, Rosenqvist, Pagenaud Daly, Jack Harvey or even Rasmussen here?

Meyer Shank Racing (1): Is Pagenaud back? If not, does the team look at Daly, Rosenqvist or even bringing Harvey back?

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (2): 2 are open but more like 1 with Rahal likely coming back. Vips, Daly or Rosenqvist likely the front runners here.

Dale Coyne Racing (2): DeFrancesco and his funding makes sense here but the other ride is completely open. Is this a destination for Harvey or Daly?