What Happened to IndyCar Series?

The IndyCar Series, officially known as the NTT IndyCar Series, boasts a rich and often tumultuous history dating back to the early 20th century, with its roots tied to the Indianapolis 500, first held in 1911. The sport endured a significant setback known as 'The Split' in 1996, when the Indy Racing League (IRL) was formed as a rival to Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART), leading to a decade of divided open-wheel racing in North America. This period saw declining viewership and commercial losses for both series.

Reunification occurred in 2008, when the IRL absorbed the remnants of CART, bringing the sport back under a single banner and rebranding as IndyCar. However, the series faced a long road to regain its former prominence. A major turning point came in 2025 with a new broadcast agreement with FOX Sports, which acquired a one-third stake in IndyCar parent company Penske Entertainment and extended its TV contract until 2030. This partnership proved highly successful, with the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season averaging 1,362,000 viewers, a 27% increase from 2024 and the most-watched season in 17 years. The 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2025 alone drew 7,088,000 viewers, marking a 41% increase over 2024 and becoming the most-watched Indy 500 in 17 years.

The momentum has continued into the 2026 season, which features an 18-race schedule, including new events at Phoenix Raceway, the Streets of Arlington, and Markham, Ontario, along with the debut of the Freedom 250 in Washington D.C. The first three races of the 2026 season averaged over 1 million viewers, a feat not seen since the 2008 reunification, with the inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington drawing 1,336,000 viewers. On-track attendance also saw significant growth in 2025, with record crowds at events like the Indianapolis 500 (350,000 attendees), Long Beach (200,000), and Barber (90,000).

Further solidifying its future, IndyCar announced in February 2026 that Chevrolet and Honda have made multi-year commitments to remain as engine suppliers beyond 2026. The current 2.2-liter twin-turbo hybrid V6 engines will be used through 2027, with a switch to brand-new 2.4-liter twin-turbo hybrid V6s and a new Dallara IR28 chassis planned for 2028. As part of this agreement, each manufacturer will receive a single charter entry starting in 2028. The series also established a new three-person independent officiating board, IndyCar Officiating Inc., in December 2025, and Firestone extended its contract as the sole tire supplier until at least 2030.

As of July 5, 2026, the NTT IndyCar Series is in the second half of its season, with nine races completed and nine remaining. Four-time series champion Alex Palou is currently leading the championship standings, aiming for a record-tying fourth consecutive title. Felix Rosenqvist won the 110th Indianapolis 500 in May 2026 in the closest finish in the race's history. Recent news also includes Scott Dixon's confirmed departure from Chip Ganassi Racing at the end of the 2026 season. The series continues to expand its global broadcast presence, reaching over 200 countries and territories.