Last week IndyCar announced the establishment of an independent officiating board with the creation of IndyCar Officiating. Inc., a nonprofit organization established by Penske Entertainment. The three person board will hire a managing director of officiating, who will be responsible for hiring the race director, stewards, and technical inspectors.

The board- Ray Evernham from NASCAR, Raj Nair, a former Ford executive, and Ronan Morgan from the FIA, bring neutrality to the new entity. The managing director, whoever that turns to be should also be someone with no ties to the current series.

The only thing that I have a bit of an issue with is that the board was created by Penske, who pay the board members, although indirectly, through the board’s budget.

The board came to be after penalties assessed to Team Penske in 2024 and 2025. In 20204, Team Penske cars were found to have Push to Pass available at times when it wasn’t allowed. At this year’s Indianapolis 500, the cars of Josef Newgarden and Will Power were excluded from the second round of qualifying because of an illegal attenuator modification.

The board will not be writing rules, but they will enforce the rules which IndyCar will continue to write or modify.

Fans have often wondered if the team owned by the series owner received favorable treatment from the technical staff and race stewards. Removing officiating from direct control of Penske Entertainment is an effort to remove any appearance of favoritism.

Would a completely separate entity with zero ties to Penske have been a better choice? What happens the first time a controversial call goes in favor a Team Penske entry? I have heard that most race control and technical staff are expected to be retained. I think Kyle Novak has done a great job as Race Director, but is it time for a new, neutral person to take over?

I do not recall a technical infraction after Detroit this past season. Perhaps Doug Boles severe penalties at the 500 sent a strong message.

It will take a full season to see if this new approach is effective and perceived to be fairer by the fans. I urge patience as the new process works. I also hope nothing controversial happens,