Formed in 1994, IndyCar is North America's premier open-wheel motor racing series and consists of one of the biggest races on the motorsport calendar, the Indianapolis 500.
Renowned for boasting a diverse range of circuits, IndyCar blends the traditional oval speedways with road courses and even temporary street racetracks to provide the ultimate challenge for teams and drivers.
IndyCar dates
The 2026 IndyCar Series commences on 1st March with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and concludes on the first weekend of September in Monterey, California.
IndyCar drivers and teams
A total of 30 drivers and 12 teams will compete over the course of the 2026 IndyCar season, including a number of part-time participants who will run in the Indianapolis 500 and other select races.
Teams are permitted to run as many or as few cars as they please, with some possessing a two-driver line-up whilst others have as many as three.
A. J. Foyt Racing
- Caio Collet
- Santino Ferrucci
Andretti Global
- Kyle Kirkwood
- Marcus Ericsson
- Will Power
Arrow McLaren
- Pato O'Ward
- Nolan Siegel
- Christian Lundgaard
- Ryan Hunter-Reay
Chip Ganassi Racing
- Kyffin Simpson
- Scott Dixon
- Alex Palou
Dale Coyne Racing
- Dennis Hauger
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
- Jack Harvey
ECR
- Alexander Rossi
- Christian Rasmussen
Juncos Hollinger Racing
- Sting Ray Robb
- Rinus VeeKay
Meyer Shank Racing
- Hélio Castroneves
- Felix Rosenqvist
- Marcus Armstrong
Prema Racing
- Robert Schwartzman
- Callum Ilott
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
- Graham Rahal
- Mick Schumacher
- Louis Foster
Team Penske
- Josef Newgarden
- Scott McLaughlin
- David Malukas
IndyCar circuits
There are a total of 16 different circuits on the 2025 IndyCar schedule, of which five are ovals/speedways, six are road courses and five are street tracks.
The Indianapolis 500 is the staple of the IndyCar calendar and forms the first part of the prestigious Triple Crown alongside the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the F1 World Drivers' Championship.
Other famous venues include Road America, Laguna Seca Raceway and Long Beach.
Oval/Speedways
- Phoenix Raceway
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- World Wide Technology Raceway
- Milwaukee Mile
- Nashville Superspeedway
Race Courses
- Barber Motorsports Park
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course
- Road America
- Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
- Laguna Seca Raceway
- Portland International Raceway
Street Tracks
- St. Petersburg (Florida)
- Arlington (Texas)
- Long Beach (California)
- Detroit (Michigan)
- Markham Centre (Ontario)
IndyCar tyre suppliers
Firestone has been the sole tire supplier for the series since 2000, having previously shared supply duties with Goodyear from 1996 to 1999.
IndyCar uses separate compounds for dry and wet conditions, although they do not utilise an intermediate compound like in Formula 1.
IndyCar engine manufacturers
Engines for the series are currently supplied by Chevrolet and Honda.
Operating with a 2.2 litre twin-turbo V6, IndyCar transitioned into the hybrid era in 2024 with the implementation of energy recovery systems.
IndyCar format
Like all other motorsport classifications, the driver who has accumulated the most points at the end of the season is crowned IndyCar champion.
There are points available for all 33 participants, with the winner of a race being awarded 50 points, second place receives 40 whilst the driver completing in the podium in third gets 35 points.
Drivers that finish 25th or below all receive five points.
There are additional points on offer for pole position (1), leading at least one lap (1) and most laps led (2).
A race weekend can alter from race to race, however the most common theme consists of two practice sessions on a Friday, another practice session prior to qualifying on Saturday before the race is held on a Sunday.
Races are a rolling start where the field follows a pace car until it exits into the pits.
Teams are only permitted up to seven mechanics to help in a pit stop. Refuelling is a key part of IndyCar strategy and in races like the Indy 500 - the longest race of the year - drivers may need to pit at least five times.
IndyCar history
The sport of open-wheel racing in America dates back to 1905 and the first Indianapolis 500 was held in 1911.
In 1994, plans for IndyCar were proposed and two years later the new national championship racing series was launched by Tony George. Initially labelled the Indy Car League, the new series was to provide direct competition to the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART).
In 2008, the IndyCar Series merged with CART's successor, the Champ Car World Series, although the feud between the two sanctioning bodies had come at a detriment to the popularity of open-wheel racing in the US.
Viewership of IndyCar has steadily increased since and there's been a growing number of world-class drivers wishing to compete in the series, while the Indy 500 remains one of motor racing's crown jewels.
Scott Dixon is the most decorated IndyCar driver, having claimed six titles between 2003 and 2020, although Alex Palou is hot on his tail.
