Tag: IndyCar Officiating

IndyCar Officiating Releases First Post-Race Report

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Last night IndyCar Officiating Issued their first post-race bulletin detailing inspections and rulings during the Bommarito Automotive Group 500. Click the link below to see the full report. It is quite detailed and specific, and the rulings might provide guidelines for how the rest of the season will be officiated.

Some highlights:

Scott Mclaughlin received a $1,500 fine for hitting another team’s pit equipment; Louis Foster got docked $3,000 for the same offense because it was his second time this season hitting equipment.

The incident in Turn 1 between Alex Palou and Nolan Siegel warranted no action, but the stewards ruled that Siegel had more responsibility for the contact.

I’m glad that the officiating board is publishing this information. It will help me understand the stewards’ thought process better. I will probably still disagree with hem at times, but at least I will understand why they made a certain ruling.;

PER-2026-WWTR-001.pdf

 INDYCAR Officiating Announces Next Phase in Transparency, Event Reporting 

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From IndyCar Officiating:
 INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, June 4, 2026) – INDYCAR Officiating has announced its next phase in governance separation and process transparency with the launch of official post-event reports, which will include the use of technical penalty guidelines to provide a framework toward consistency across events. As necessary, post-event reports also will include summaries of technical and procedural distinction to increase clarity
.The reporting update is scheduled to begin with this weekend’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES event at World Wide Technology Raceway.
This next step comes after the establishment of INDYCAR Officiating in December 2025. The not-for-profit organization is governed by the three-person Independent Officiating Board (IOB) of chairman Raj Nair, secretary/treasurer Ray Evernham and FIA appointee Ronan Morgan. In April 2026, veteran motorsports officiating and competition executive Scot Elkins was named managing director of officiating to oversee race control, race stewards and technical inspection. Elkins reports directly to the IOB – with no oversight from INDYCAR or Penske Entertainment officials – to provide officiating governance and management
.”One of the takeaways from the initial months of INDYCAR Officiating was a need for thorough infraction communication and, in some cases, comparison to prior rulings to continue our goal of transparency and consistency in rule implementation,” Nair said.
“This post-event report will be clear in structure, process, and findings.
“The board would like to thank the entire INDYCAR Officiating team for implementing this important step as we continue our mission. Working across the paddock with key stakeholders, we believe this structure will lead to a very positive result for the sport.”
Post-Event Reports
INDYCAR Officiating post-event reports will summarize the officiating activity from each race event and will include penalties imposed under the NTT INDYCAR SERIES rulebook and findings from technical inspections before and after qualifying and races. Post-event reports will be posted and made public during the week following an event at https://noticeboard.indycarofficiating.org
.Examples of content that will be summarized in the post-event report:
Race Recaps
In-race penalties imposed – for example, passing under yellow, emergency service in a closed pit or pit lane speed violations
Incident reviews referred to the stewards and concluded with no further action
Practice Recaps
In-practice penalties imposed – for example, pit lane speed violations, causing a yellow or red flag or entering the wrong pit box
Technical inspection findings from qualifying and races
What was inspected and the extent and subject matter
Explanation of any infraction and its resulting penalty-level classification
Summary of technical or procedural distinction, where relevant
Technical Penalty Guidelines
To ensure consistency across events, post-event reports will include the classification of technical penalties based on the nature of the infraction via three levels:

Infraction Level 1
A single-dimensional non-compliance, such as a height or size measurement outside tolerance, typically arising from wear, damage or assembly failure with no finding of altered component location or improper conduct.
Infraction Level 2
A more significant compliance failure, such as an out-of-tolerance aerodynamic angle, driver or car weight, fuel-system or safety equipment matter, where the configuration is outside specification but does not involve modification of a spec part.
Infraction Level 3
Modification of a spec part, regardless of which assembly or subsystem it belongs to, or the installation of unapproved or altered components – a departure from the car’s approved specification.
Associated penalties begin with point assessments and fines at Level 1 and rise to disqualification and suspensions at Level 3.
Specific monetary fines, point assessments and other consequences imposed within a given infraction level remain at the sole discretion of INDYCAR Officiating
.“We have moved quickly but meticulously in applying this next step in greater officiating transparency,” Elkins said.
“Our goals include increased consistency and clarity as these reports look to provide an additional resource toward structure and process. We look forward to implementing this next phase beginning at WWT Raceway.”
Post-event reports for INDY NXT by Firestone events will begin later this summer.
The next race for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the 10th Annual Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline, round nine of the 2026 championship, Sunday, June 7. Coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX One. INDY NXT competes on its first oval track of the 2026 season earlier in the day with coverage of the 75-lap race beginning at 5:30 p.m. on FOX Sports’ FS1.Audio coverage is available via INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls on SiriusXM channel 218 and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. 

Veteran INDYCAR, INDYCAR Officiating Technical Director Kevin Blanch Retires 

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From IndyCar and IndyCar Officiating Board:

  INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, June 4, 2026) – Kevin Blanch, a longtime and respected member of the INDYCAR technical team and the technical director of INDYCAR Officiating, has announced his retirement.
Nick Allen, who has served as the technical inspection manager for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, has been named technical director for INDYCAR Officiating. Allen was hired in January after 20 years of experience as an INDYCAR race team mechanic and chief mechanic.
Blanch joined INDYCAR in 2003 after serving six-plus seasons with Panther Racing, where he served as the team’s crew chief. During his tenure there, the team won two INDYCAR SERIES championships and earned 11 victories and five pole positions.
With INDYCAR, Blanch – nicknamed “Rocket” – added his experience and expertise as he oversaw the technical inspection process and provided technical oversight and ensured compliance of safety, aerodynamic and chassis regulations
.“I have been contemplating retirement from the INDYCAR technical side for a while,” Blanch said. “Last winter when INDYCAR Officiating was formed, I was asked to continue in my role with an emphasis on completing a very hectic Month of May and the Indianapolis 500 and am glad I did.
“After adding it up, I have been a part of INDYCAR for 36 years and have been involved in 555 straight races. I have simply poured my heart and soul into the sport I love and am very proud of the team I have worked alongside for over two decades. This is a very difficult decision, but I feel like now is the right time to take a step back.”
The respect for Blanch and his work was universal in the INDYCAR paddock. One of his legacies in the garage will be the annual mechanics’ party he organized and hosted after each Indianapolis 500 Pit Stop Challenge. Race team crew members’ names were put into a hat and drawn to win their selection of gifted items from teams, drivers, manufacturers, vendors, suppliers and more. It’s estimated that over the last seven years, over $600,000 of merchandise was donated to hard-working mechanics
.WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
“I’ve known Kevin for nearly 30 years, dating back to the very first days at Panther Racing in 1997. His passion for INDYCAR and his work ethic are two of his highest qualities. He knows our cars inside and out and has been instrumental in the implementation of many safety and performance measures over the last 20 years.“His willingness to help INDYCAR Officiating transition through the first half of the 2026 season is another example of his heart for the best for our sport. We are grateful for his leadership, and I’m proud to call him a friend.” – J. Douglas Boles, INDYCAR president
“On behalf of the INDYCAR Officiating Board, I want to thank Kevin ‘Rocket’ Blanch for his many years of dedicated service to INDYCAR and the competitors, teams and fans who make this sport so special.
“Kevin’s professionalism, technical expertise and unwavering commitment to fair and consistent competition have earned the respect of everyone throughout the paddock. His contributions have played an important role in maintaining the integrity of our sport and supporting countless events over the years.“We are especially grateful that Kevin chose to remain with INDYCAR Officiating from the start of the season through the Month of May, one of the most demanding and important periods of our season. His willingness to support the transition process and work closely with Nick Allen to ensure a seamless handover reflects the professionalism and team-first attitude that have defined his career
.“As Kevin begins this next chapter, we thank him for his service, his dedication and the lasting impact he has made on INDYCAR Officiating. We wish him and his family all the very best in retirement.” – INDYCAR Officiating’s Independent Officiating Board Chairman Raj Nair 

 INDYCAR Officiating Announces Indianapolis 500 Post-Qualifying Technical Violations and Penalties 

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From IndyCar Officiating:

 Logo  INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, May 17, 2026) – INDYCAR Officiating has announced post-qualifying technical inspection penalties for the entries of No. 4 of A.J. Foyt Enterprises and No. 24 of Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

During post-qualifying inspection of car Nos. 4 and 24, INDYCAR Officiating discovered modifications to the Dallara-supplied Energy Management System (EMS) covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved hardware.
According to the INDYCAR rulebook, EMS covers must be used as supplied.

A.J. Foyt Enterprises and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing were in violation of
:Rule 14.12.1.1. EMS must be used as supplied by Dallara and approved by INDYCAR
.Rule 14.12.1.6. EMS covers may only be attached with the supplied hardware and Helicopter Tape.

Both cars (Nos. 4 and 24) have had their qualifying results disallowed and have been re-ordered to the rear of the field in order of entrant points.

Additionally, Car No. 4 had its three Indy 500 qualification points also disallowed. Subsequently, Car Nos. 9 and 76 will be awarded 10th and 11th place Indy 500 qualification points. Car No. 75 is ineligible for qualification points as it did not participate in Top 12 qualifying.

Car Nos. 4 and 24 also will forfeit their pit positions and will select their pit boxes after the remainder of the field has an opportunity to adjust accordingly.

Members may contest the imposition of the penalties detailed in the review and appeal procedures of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES rulebook. 
 
 

INDYCAR Announces Push to Pass Update

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Announcement from IndyCar, followed by the report from IndyCar officiating:

  Expanded Availability of Push to Pass in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone To Provide Additional Opportunities for Enhanced Action

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 5, 2026) – INDYCAR has announced an update for Push to Pass usage for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone.
Beginning with this week’s events on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and for all subsequent road and street circuit races, Push to Pass – a driver-controlled system that provides roughly 60 extra horsepower via increased turbocharger boost – will be available and allowed for use at all times once the car passes the alternate start-finish line following the start and once the green flag has been displayed.
Expanded availability, which now includes use on race restarts, will provide teams and drivers additional tools and overtake possibilities during the crucial moments of race restarts. The rule prohibiting passing prior to the restart line remains in effect.
“The Push to Pass software failure at the Streets of Long Beach allowed INDYCAR an opportunity to fully review the rules of the system and consider any improvements, including leaving Push to Pass available on restarts,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said.
“Push to Pass is a driver and team enhancement, which has evolved since its introduction in 2009, and – working with stakeholders – we believe it’s time for this additional update.

“While maybe ironic on how we transitioned to this procedural revision, we look forward to seeing how this new opportunity to use Push to Pass will enhance strategy and the potential for even more wheel-to-wheel action.”

Push to Pass timing parameters, including time and maximum time per push, remain unchanged.The update comes as INDYCAR Officiating, in a separate announcement, provided its findings following a thorough review of the Push to Pass software failure, corrective measures and other rule updates.

“This has been a superb example of INDYCAR Officiating and INDYCAR working together to provide our sport outcomes that will greatly benefit on-track competition,” Boles said.
“We are confident in the update to the software and are gratified with the outcome of this full review.”
The next race for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the Sonsio Grand Prix, round six of the 2026 championship, Saturday, May 9. Coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX, FOX One and the FOX Sports app.
INDY NXT has its second doubleheader of 2026 with Race 1 on the IMS road course scheduled for 4 p.m. ET Friday, May 8 on FOX Sports’ FS2 and Race 2 at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9 on FS1.
Audio coverage is available via INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls on SiriusXM channel 218 and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. 

The report:

INDYCAR Officiating Announces Long Beach
Push to Pass Review Findings, Action  INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, May 5, 2026) – INDYCAR Officiating has announced its findings and updates following a thorough review of the Push to Pass software failure during the Sunday, April 19 INDYCAR SERIES race on the Streets of Long Beach.Following the race, INDYCAR Officiating followed the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Push to Pass rule (Rule 14.19.16.), which placed the burden of the Push to Pass system on the series to assure that the software performed properly.

As such, all cars that competed on the Streets of Long Beach were deemed legal and using Push to Pass software that was compliant to the rules
.INDYCAR Officiating’s review of the Push to Pass software failure also included the detailed use of by all 12 cars that used it on Lap 62 and revealed the following:





Analysis of the restart again showed that no cars received a position change as a result of the software error with the exception of car No. 66, which passed car No. 14 despite the fact both cars used it in near-equal amounts. Based on the findings and the fact INDYCAR Officiating did not view this as a team or driver infraction, no changes were made to the official result
.Push to Pass Responsibility Update

Moving forward, beginning with the event this weekend on the IMS road course and for all subsequent road and street circuit races, INDYCAR has rewritten the rules around Push to Pass to place the burden on competitors to ensure Push to Pass is not used at restricted times. In further analysis and discussion with teams and drivers, INDYCAR Officiating believes the rule update better serves the point of the rule while also simplifying the interpretation for all competitors.The update comes as INDYCAR, in a separate announcement, established expanded availability of Push to Pass on race restarts to provide teams and drivers additional tools and overtake possibilities.
Push to Pass rules for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone are effective immediately.
Root Cause of the Software Failure An intense examination of the system revealed that in the moments before the full-course yellow and following the Lap 61 restart, simultaneous CAN (Controller Area Network) messages were mistakenly sent from the INDYCAR software to the receivers on the cars on track. The system is designed to only send individual signals to the cars. These signals provide telemetry such as ranking, lap count, gaps, differential to the leader, and Push to Pass information and availability.
The simultaneous nature of the signals – instead of an individual signal – led to the Push to Pass system shutdown, resulting in the cars never receiving the signal to disable Push to Pass. Instead, the system remained available during the full-course yellow and subsequent restar

Corrective Code and Measures
Beginning with the event May 8-9 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, an updated and corrected code will be used for the CAN messages, which includes a “lock” around the sequence of events that writes the message to the server to send to the cars. The new code provides for only one-at-a-time messaging and avoids simultaneous signals. The “lock” is a common industry practice and does not pose any risk to the functionality of the code.Internal testing of the updated code signal, including testing during the Indy 500 Open Test on Tuesday-Wednesday April 28-29, validated the system and resulted in zero errors.
Subsequent to the code, INDYCAR Officiating will utilize an additional software engineer and measures to monitor the outgoing CAN messaging to the cars to confirm and validate its operation and to monitor Push to Pass
.“The Independent Officiating Board would like to thank INDYCAR’s software and powertrain engineers who have helped us work through this review,” board chair Raj Nair said.
“We believe the protective measures that have been established will ensure there are no more system issues moving forward. Additionally, the board fully endorses the rule change involving the burden of responsibility and also supports the Push to Pass rule update made by INDYCAR to allow overtake on race restarts. This has been a comprehensive and thorough process, which has led to a favorable result.”
The next race for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the Sonsio Grand Prix, round six of the 2026 championship, Saturday, May 9. Coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX, FOX One and the FOX Sports app.
INDY NXT has its second doubleheader of 2026 with Race 1 on the IMS road course scheduled for 4 p.m. ET Friday, May 8 on FOX Sports’ FS2 and Race 2 scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9 on FS1.
Audio coverage is available via INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls on SiriusXM channel 218 and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.