IndyCar Teams Locked and Loaded

IndyCar, the premier open-wheeler category in the USA, has joined Supercars in a franchise system for teams.

Its new Charter system, finally confirmed after many months of negotiations, sets the field through to the end of 2031.

Ten teams have signed for charters giving a total of 25 cars.

But, crucially, the new deal is only for the NTT IndyCar Series and does not include the Indianapolis 500.

Under the Charter arrangements, teams are restricted to a maximum of three entries – with five taking up their maximum allocation, led by Team Penske, Andretti Global, Chip Ganassi Racing, Arrow McLaren and Rahal Letterman Lanigan.

IndyCar said it offered the Charters to teams based on their full-time participation in the series over the past two years.

“This is an important development that demonstrates an aligned and optimistic vision for the future of our sport,” said Mark Miles, president of the Penske Entertainment Corp. that owns the IndyCar rights.

Predictably, IndyCar owners have praised the Charter system.

“When you look back in the modern era of IndyCar racing, you will look at a few important moments; the first being the unification of the sport, the next being Roger Penske buying the IndyCar Series and IMS, and I truly believe the third will be the charter system,” said Chip Ganassi, Chip Ganassi Racing.

But Larry Foyt, head of A.J. Foyt Enterprises, also highlighted the work to get the Charter deal done.

“It is incredibly challenging to get a large group of owners to agree on something, and certainly there was some give and take, but, in the end, I believe this is a path that is beneficial for all of the owners and for IndyCar, while also maintaining the availability for open competition,” he said.

Photo by Phillip Abbott / LAT Images

INDYCAR CHARTER MEMBERS

A.J. Foyt Enterprises – 2 cars

Andretti Global – 3 cars

Arrow McLaren – 3 cars

Chip Ganassi Racing – 3 cars

Dale Coyne Racing – 2 cars

Ed Carpenter Racing – 2 cars

Juncos Hollinger Racing – 2 cars

Meyer Shank Racing – 2 cars

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing – 3 cars

Team Penske – 3 cars

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