There is a limerick by Edward Lear with the line, “…It is just as I feared,” and I recalled it Saturday when i saw the following blurb from Adam Stern:

“Beginning with the 2027 IndyCar Series season, entry fields at all races outside of the Indianapolis 500 will be limited to chartered teams only. This decision was reached after thoughtful consideration with key stakeholders and, in particular, series suppliers who are making plans for the upcoming season as all parties look to build the series’ health and on-track competition.”

This scenario was one of my first concerns when IndyCar announced its charter system which took effect with the 2025 season. I had a feeling that charters would eventually lead to a closed shop and here we are, beginning next year

If a team doesn’t have a charter, they will not be allowed to race at any event other than the Indianapolis 500. The team known as Prema will likely not be seen again, unless its new owners decide to enter the 111th running of the 500.

Dreyer and Reinbold’s plans of someday entering races other than Indianapolis have been dashed. They will remain an Indy only team for as long as they wish, but no more. It’s a hollow reward for a team that has been loyal to the series and previously ran full time.

Non charter teams entering the Indianapolis 500 receive only $100,000 for making the race unless their car does extremely well in the race. How many will reconsider since they will take a loss?

I’m not sure this move adds value to the charters as IndyCar believes it will. Charter teams are guaranteed a spot in every race other than Indianapolis. Leaders’ Circle money won’t increase, and an owner who really wants out will probably take a lower price just to be done with it.

Othe unintended consequences I see:

Third OEM Less Likely

Chevy and Honda were each granted a charter beginning in 2028 and will pair with an existing two car team. A third OEM would want the same deal, raising the grid to 28. Does engine number three take a charter from the worst performing team? Does IndyCar ask for volunteers?

I don’t see this situation as attractive to another brand. The brevity of the IndyCar statement leaves a lot of contingencies unanswered.

New Blood

IndyCar could lose a generation of young drivers under the new policy. Does this undermine the value of an Indy NXT championship? There is very little room the champion of the top ladder series to enter the grid now. Linus Lundqvist still hasn’t found a full time home. Andretti Global has had to loan out its last two Ondy NXT champs, Kyle Kirkwood and Dennis Hauger, to other teams until the team had an opening.

Safer cars, which I am grateful for, have prolonged careers. I can see two former Indianapolis 500 winners driving in their final race May 24.

Current drivers aren’t getting any younger. Will Power and Scott Dixon are 45 years old, and Romain Grosjean is 38,

Five of the eight one-off drivers in this year’s 500 are receiving adds for their AARP cards. Helio Castroneves will be 50 by race day, Takuma Sato is 49, and Ryan Hunter-Reay, Ed Carpenter, and Katherine Legge are 45 years old,

With no seats available, the younger drivers will turn to other series, and likely will not return to IndyCar.

Adding Charter Value While Keeping Things Open

As my three readers know, I enjoy spending IndyCar’s money. Here I go again with some ideas to make the charters more valuable while allowing open entries all season.

For the 500: A minimum of $200,00 for one-off entries; a minimum of$300,000 for charter teams.

For the season: Expand the leaders’ Circle to include all charter teams and give performance bonuses based on the season standings. Pay any non-charter entrants who qualify for a race a minimum amount.

The Indianapolis 500 has always been an open event except for the IRL years. IndyCar has always welcomed all comers to their events. The open philosophy is something the series should embrace, not try to eliminate.