Tag: NTT Indycar Series

Independent Officiating Board- Just Optics, or the Start of a Fairer Process?

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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,

Sunoco Returns with Ganassi, Simpson

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Fans wanting a throwback livery will get their wis…kind of. Sunoco returns to IndyCar with a multiyear fulltime primary sponsorship of Chip Ganassi Racing’s car 8 driven by Kyffin Simpson.

Kyffin Simpson

While not a true replication of Mark Donohue’s winning 1972 Indianapolis 500 car, the dark blue and yellow car will pop at IMS and at the night races.

The Donohue winning car set a couple milestones. It was the first Indianapolis 500 win for Roger Penske, and it was the first winning car to have wings.

Donohue’s 500 car:

The car at Pocono.

2026 marks the first Sunoco sponsored car since 1973.

Kyffin Simpson has completed two full IndyCar seasons before reaching the age of 21. Simpson made great strides in the 2025 season, earning his first podium at Toronto and participating in his first Fast Six at Mid Ohio. Simpson earned three top fives and six top 10s in 2025.

INDYCAR Announces Framework for Independent Officiating Ahead of 2026 Seasons 

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From IndyCar:

 Independent Officiating Board Members Selected Responsible for Hiring Managing Director of Officiating

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025) – INDYCAR will have an independent officiating system in place for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone seasons. A new independent, not-for-profit organization – INDYCAR Officiating Inc. – has been established and will be governed by a three-person Independent Officiating Board (IOB).
This board will select a Managing Director of Officiating (MDO) and establish its annual budget. The board members were independently selected this week, with two members chosen via a vote from INDYCAR team owners, who are charter members, and the other member appointed by the Federation Internationale de I’Automobile (FIA).
The managing director will report directly to the independent board with no oversight from INDYCAR or Penske Entertainment officials. This individual will be charged with full officiating oversight – including the hiring of personnel for race control and INDYCAR technical inspection – and responsible for enforcing the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT rulebooks as written by INDYCAR.
The two IOB members selected via a vote from chartered team owners are:
Ray Evernham – Longtime motorsports veteran who, most notably, served as the crew chief for three of Jeff Gordon’s NASCAR Cup Series championships. Evernham also pioneered Dodge’s return to NASCAR as owner of Evernham Motorsports before later becoming a television analyst, producer and consultant.
Raj Nair – A 30-year veteran of the automotive and auto racing industries, Nair has vast experience and technical compliance expertise as an executive at Singer Group, Inc., Multimatic, Inc. and the Ford Motor Company, where he also served as the North American president from 2017-18. As the chief technical officer and executive vice president of Ford’s global product development (2012-17), Nair was responsible for all Ford Motorsports programs, including in NASCAR, IMSA and FIA WEC.
The third member of the IOB appointed by the FIA is:
Ronan Morgan – Brings over 50 years of global motorsport experience as a senior official, promoter, organizer and competitor. With the FIA, Morgan served as the chairman of stewards for more than 100 international race and rally events, was sporting manager of the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix from 2009 to 2021 and is president of the FIA Drivers Commission. Morgan is also a member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council and advisor to the FIA President.
The FIA’s role in INDYCAR’s independent officiating system will be limited to the appointment of its board member.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:
“We have remained committed to independent officiating for 2026, and we are pleased to announce this next step. The INDYCAR team owners and the FIA have selected a world-class board with high character, incredible knowledge and an intense passion for motorsports and INDYCAR racing.” – J. Douglas Boles, INDYCAR President
“This was a thorough process, and I am confident in the independent officiating board that has been elected by the team ownership in our sport. I look forward to their guidance as they take the next step of hiring a managing director.” – Chip Ganassi, Chip Ganassi Racing Owner
“We are excited to launch this new structure of INDYCAR officiating and know the officiating board will approach this charge with diligence and a sense of shared responsibility. They will work independently to hire the right person to carry this mission forward and provide successful implementation for the 2026 seasons.” – Mark Miles, Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO
“INDYCAR is an American icon and I am proud of the relationship we are building together. The FIA’s independent expertise in delivering consistent officiating oversight across our World Championships, combined with INDYCAR’s innovation and competitive spirit, will support the continued growth of the series. I look forward to the work ahead of us.” – Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President
“I am pleased with the direction INDYCAR is taking with independent officiating. The team owners have selected two excellent board members and the addition of a FIA appointee will add another layer of experience and expertise.” – Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports
The hiring of the managing director of officiating, along with additional details, will be announced in early 2026.The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT championships begin Sunday, March 1, 2026 on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. Coverage of the 17-race seasons will be provided by FOX, FOX Sports and the INDYCAR Radio Network. 
 
 

Good Ranchers Named Title Sponsor of NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race at Phoenix Raceway 

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From IndyCar:

 The Fastest-Growing Meat Delivery Company in the U.S. Partners
with the Fastest Racing On Earth For Exhilarating Return to Historic Track

AVONDALE, Ariz. (Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025) – Good Ranchers, an American meat company, INDYCAR and Phoenix Raceway announced a new title partnership for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ race scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026. The Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway marks INDYCAR’s return to the thrilling and high-speed one-mile oval for the first time since 2018.
The INDYCAR SERIES race is part of a buzzworthy weekend alongside NASCAR, providing a joint showcase of North American racing in partnership with FOX.
“We’re excited to welcome Good Ranchers as the entitlement sponsor of our upcoming INDYCAR race,” Phoenix Raceway President Latasha Causey said. “Their commitment to giving back and serving our veterans really resonates with our community and our fans. It shows that Good Ranchers brings the same heart and purpose to their work that our race weekends bring to the Valley, and we’re proud to partner with them for an unforgettable and historic event.”
Since being founded in 2018, Good Ranchers has become the fastest-growing meat delivery company in America by committing to one purpose: to only source meat that’s born and raised in America. Good Ranchers works with local farms and ranches across the U.S. to deliver high-quality beef, chicken, pork and wild-caught seafood to homes nationwide. But the company’s dedication to strengthening America extends beyond the food industry. Good Ranchers also partners with Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), supporting programs that provide vital care, advocacy, and long-term resources for Veterans living with spinal cord injuries.
“At Good Ranchers, we’re driven by a purpose to support America, and that commitment has shaped every part of our story,” Good Ranchers founder and CEO Ben Spell said. “As an American-born racing tradition built on hard work and a relentless drive to push forward, INDYCAR embodies that same spirit. Together, we’re fueling American families on and off the track.”
The INDYCAR SERIES first raced at Phoenix in 1964. Past winners include a legendary list of champions such as A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Bobby Unser, Al Unser, Gordon Johncock, Johnny Rutherford, Tom Sneva, Bobby Rahal, Rick Mears, Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden. Dixon and Newgarden join four-time and defending NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou and INDYCAR fan-favorite Pato O’Ward to headline a fast and determined field of 27 ready for Phoenix’ return to the schedule.The Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway is the second round of the 17-race 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship.
In preparation for the series’ return, an INDYCAR Open Test for all teams has been scheduled at the track for Tuesday-Wednesday Feb. 17-18.
The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener is scheduled for Sunday, March 1 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. For the second consecutive year, FOX will air all races for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the only premium motorsports series in North America with all races airing on broadcast television. Start times for the 2026 season will be announced in the coming weeks.

Juncos Hollinger Racing Finalizes 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Lineup with Sting Ray Robb

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From Juncos Hollinger Racing:

Speedway, Indiana – December 2, 2025 – Juncos Hollinger Racing today confirmed that Sting Ray Robb will continue with the team for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, completing a driver lineup designed to strengthen the organization’s competitive platform and accelerate its push up the grid.Robb’s second consecutive year with the team reinforces Juncos Hollinger Racing’s continuity, advancement, and focused development, contributing to a strengthened competitive foundation as it builds on the meaningful progress made throughout 2025. His return supports a roster that blends experience, momentum, and clear ambition for the season ahead.
The 23-year-old reunited with Juncos Hollinger Racing in 2025 – five years after the two captured the 2020 Indy Pro Championship together. His professionalism, technical feedback, and determination quickly reestablished him as a central contributor to the team’s ongoing performance gains, helping deliver increased consistency and pace during the past season.
As Juncos Hollinger Racing continues to expand its technical capabilities – bolstered by world-class leadership, an increasingly sophisticated engineering group, and strengthened operational processes – the pairing of Rinus VeeKay and Sting Ray Robb positions the team to elevate its competitive trajectory in 2026. Robb’s familiarity with the JHR program complements VeeKay’s experience and together they strengthen the team’s overall base. 
Robb expressed confidence in the program’s direction and enthusiasm for building on the platform established throughout the 2025 season.
“This season is massive for me and I’m embracing it fully. It’s my first opportunity to run with the same team for a second season and I’m ready for what it demands,” Sting Ray stated. “What’s key for me is the continuity – working with the established team people and the newer faces we all trust, with everyone focused on elevating across all areas. Having Dave’s experience at the helm has been huge. You can feel the way his racing pedigree shapes our processes, the way he leads the room, and the overall professionalism. Pair that with the insight from Adam Carroll and the six seasons of experience Rinus brings as a teammate, and it feels like the whole operation is headed in the right direction.  I’m excited to have Rinus as a teammate – we’re aligned, we’re hungry, and we’re ready to fight towards the front together.”
Robb’s continuation is the perfect addition to the recent signing of Rinus VeeKay, forming a pairing built around experience, development, and competitive ambition. Together, the two drivers underscore the team’s commitment to becoming a stronger presence in the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
Dave O’Neill, Team Principal of Juncos Hollinger Racing, commented: “Sting Ray is a key pillar in the structure we’re building for 2026. His commitment and approach match the ambition driving this team forward. We took meaningful steps this year, but we know there’s far more potential to unlock – and 2026 is our chance to convert that progress into real performance gains. With the continuity Sting Ray provides, combined with the pace, experience, and race-winning pedigree Rinus brings, we believe this lineup gives us the firepower to move up the order quickly.” 
As preparations intensify for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, Robb will continue participating in the team’s offseason testing and development program. The 2026 season begins on March 1 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
For more information, visit juncoshollinger.com or follow @juncoshollinger across social platforms.

Catching Up and a Grid Update

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I am back. The last two months have been an adventure. Two trips to Winter Headquarters with a brief hospital stay in between left little time to do much else. Winter Headquarters is now permanently closed, and I survived the hospital.

Here is an update on the 2026 grid. Dale Coyne has yet to announce the driver of his second car. Sting Ray Robb has not officially been confirmed for the second Juncos Hollinger seat. Prema has signed drivers, but I don’t know if they will return. If they do, it will most likely be in a different form.

The lineup as of today:

Team Penske

Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, David Malukas

Chip Ganassi Racing

Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, Kyffin Simpson

Andretti Global

Kyle Kirkwood, Will Power, Marcus Ericsson

Arrow McLaren

Pato O’Ward, Christian Lundgaard, Nolan Siegel

Ed Carpenter Racing

Alexander Rossi, Christian Rasmussen

Meyer Shank Racing

Felix Rosenqvist, Marcus Armstrong

A. J. Foyt Racing

Caio Collet (R), Santino Ferrucci

Rahal Letterman Racing

Graham Rahal, Louis Foster, Mick Schumacher (R)

Juncos Hollinger Racing

Rinus VeeKay, Sting Ray Robb*

Dale Coyne Racing

Dennis Hauger (R), TBD

Prema Racing*

Callum Ilott, Robert Shwartzman

R- rookie

  • Unconfirmed

Mick Schumacher Signs with RLL

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Editor’s Note: I just got back to Indy from Florida, where I am closing Winter Headquarters. Mick is a great addition to the grid.

The story is from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (November 24, 2025) – Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) announced today that Mick Schumacher, 26, will compete for the team in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2026. The son of legendary seven-time Formula One champion, Michael Schumacher, brings with him an impressive resume that includes 43 Formula One starts and a best finish of sixth place, along with three podiums in WEC competition. Sponsorship details will be announced at a later date.

While Schumacher is no stranger to racing on road and street courses, he will add oval racing to his resume in 2026 as six of the 17 races in the 2026 INDYCAR SERIES will take place on an oval or superspeedway, including the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24. RLL is in the process of planning an oval test for Schumacher in the near future.

The Swiss-born driver will compete in the No. 47 Honda-powered entry and completes the team’s 2026 full-season lineup alongside Graham Rahal and 2025 INDYCAR Rookie of the Year, Louis Foster. The number 47 carries symbolic meaning for Schumacher as it is a nod to his father and his family.

Schumacher most recently competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2024 and 2025 for Alpine and is switching his focus to INDYCAR for 2026. On October 13, he completed an INDYCAR test on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) road course, impressing the team with his pace, adaptability and technical feedback — an experience that further fueled his desire to return to open-wheel racing.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s premier open-wheel racing competition, featuring stars from across the globe competing at speeds faster than 370 kph (230 mph). Along with hosting the world-famous Indianapolis 500, the series boasts a mix of oval, temporary street circuit and permanent road course races across North America. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is sanctioned by INDYCAR, the governing body for North America’s premier open-wheel racing series and part of the Penske Entertainment family.

The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1. The 17-race schedule includes new venues in Arlington, Texas and Markham, Ontario, Canada. For more information about the series or team, visit www.indycar.com and http://www.rahal.com.

QUOTEBOARD:

MICK SCHUMACHER: “I am delighted to confirm today that I will be competing in the INDYCAR SERIES next year with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, taking part in the full season. Having both an F1 and an endurance background, and having competed in various racing series over the years, I have insights and knowledge that I am sure will contribute to a great partnership. RLL prepared me extremely well during testing already, and I am sure that we can build a lot together.

“I was also immediately excited about the car and the American way of motorsport which comes across as being more about pure and direct racing, and it is precisely this aspect that I am very much looking forward to. And of course, I am curious about new experiences and always interested in broadening my horizons. For me, a new journey is beginning here, and I am excited for the season to start.”

BOBBY RAHAL, Co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: “I think I speak for everyone at RLL when I say how thrilled we are to welcome Mick to the team and to INDYCAR. His test with us on the IMS road course was exceptional – he impressed every single team member. Everyone walked away from that event determined to do what we could to bring Mick into our program. We’re thrilled he’s chosen to join us, and we can’t wait to get to work.”

DAVID LETTERMAN, Co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: “I’m delighted to welcome Mick Schumacher to the RLL family — a young man who has competed against some of the world greatest racers. With Graham Rahal, Louis Foster and now Mick, the future for RLL is limitless. I’m very excited for the 2026 season. Still waiting for my seat fitting.” 

MIKE LANIGAN, Co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: “What a great addition to our team!

Mick has the skills and experience that will help enhance our overall competitiveness in one of the most competitive racing series in the world. Welcome aboard Mick!”

JAY FRYE, President of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: “Opportunities like this are rare, and we couldn’t be more excited to see everything come together. Mick is an exceptional talent on the track and an outstanding young man off of it. We are very proud to have Mick as part of the RLL family.”

About Mick Schumacher
Mick Schumacher, 26, was born and raised in Switzerland and is the son of seven-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion Michael Schumacher and his equestrian wife Corinna, as well as the nephew of former Formula One driver Ralf.

Initially competing under the pseudonyms Mick Betsch and Mick Junior, Schumacher finished runner-up to Enaam Ahmed at the junior direct-drive Karting World Championship and Karting European Championship in 2014. Graduating to junior formula in 2015, Schumacher finished runner-up in both ADAC F4 and Italian F4 in 2016. After finishing third in the MRF Challenge Championship in 2016-2017, Schumacher moved to FIA European Formula 3, winning the championship with Prema in 2018. Progressing to FIA Formula 2 for 2019, Schumacher won the title in 2020 with Prema.

He became a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2019, and went on to participate in rookie testing for Alfa Romeo and Haas in F1 in 2020, before he signed with the latter as a full-time driver in 2021. He made his Formula One debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix alongside Nikita Mazepin, but Haas failed to score points during the season with the VF-21, with Schumacher earning a season-best finish of 12th in Hungary.

In 2022, Schumacher teamed with Kevin Magnussen and scored his maiden points finish at the British Grand Prix with eighth place, followed by a career-best sixth at the Austrian Grand Prix. He was also the official reserve driver for Ferrari in 2022. For 2023 and 2024, he served as a reserve driver for Mercedes, which included serving in the same capacity for McLaren and Williams. In 2024, he moved to the FIA World Endurance with Alpine and achieved his first podium finish at the 6 Hours of Fuji. In 2025, he earned podium finishes in WEC at the 6 Hours of Imola and Spa-Francorchamps.

Letterman Lanigan Racing: “I’m delighted to welcome Mick Schumacher to the RLL family — a young man who has competed against some of the world greatest racers. With Graham Rahal, Louis Foster and now Mick, the future for RLL is limitless. I’m very excited for the 2026 season. Still waiting for my seat fitting.” MIKE LANIGAN, Co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: “What a great addition to our team!Mick has the skills and experience that will help enhance our overall competitiveness in one of the most competitive racing series in the world. Welcome aboard Mick!”JAY FRYE, President of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: “Opportunities like this are rare, and we couldn’t be more excited to see everything come together. Mick is an exceptional talent on the track and an outstanding young man off of it. We are very proud to have Mick as part of the RLL family.”

About Mick SchumacherMick Schumacher, 26, was born and raised in Switzerland and is the son of seven-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion Michael Schumacher and his equestrian wife Corinna, as well as the nephew of former Formula One driver Ralf.

Initially competing under the pseudonyms Mick Betsch and Mick Junior, Schumacher finished runner-up to Enaam Ahmed at the junior direct-drive Karting World Championship and Karting European Championship in 2014.

Graduating to junior formula in 2015, Schumacher finished runner-up in both ADAC F4 and Italian F4 in 2016. After finishing third in the MRF Challenge Championship in 2016-2017, Schumacher moved to FIA European Formula 3, winning the championship with Prema in 2018.

Progressing to FIA Formula 2 for 2019, Schumacher won the title in 2020 with Prema.He became a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2019, and went on to participate in rookie testing for Alfa Romeo and Haas in F1 in 2020, before he signed with the latter as a full-time driver in 2021.

He made his Formula One debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix alongside Nikita Mazepin, but Haas failed to score points during the season with the VF-21, with Schumacher earning a season-best finish of 12th in Hungary.In 2022, Schumacher teamed with Kevin Magnussen and scored his maiden points finish at the British Grand Prix with eighth place, followed by a career-best sixth at the Austrian Grand Prix.

He was also the official reserve driver for Ferrari in 2022. For 2023 and 2024, he served as a reserve driver for Mercedes, which included serving in the same capacity for McLaren and Williams. In 2024, he moved to the FIA World Endurance with Alpine and achieved his first podium finish at the 6 Hours of Fuji. In 2025, he earned podium finishes in WEC at the 6 Hours of Imola and Spa-Francorchamps.

Indy 500 Winner Palou Unveils Image on Borg-Warner Trophy

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Editor’s Note: I apologize for being mostly absent the past two months. I had a brief hospital stay and I have made two trips to Florida to get winter headquarters ready to go on the market. I am currently in Florida, and will head home Saturday, hopefully for a longer stay.

From IMS:

  INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025) – 2025 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Alex Palou unveiled his likeness on the Borg-Warner Trophy on Nov. 19 in Indianapolis, one of the most significant honors since he earned his first Indy 500 victory May 25 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Palou, driving the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, earned the first oval victory of his career and became the first Spaniard to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” He passed Marcus Ericsson on Lap 187 and never trailed thereafter, earning Chip Ganassi Racing’s sixth Indy 500 victory.
The unveiling took place at The Above Event Center at Commission Row. Located in downtown Indianapolis, it is part of the Pacers Sports & Entertainment Complex known as Bicentennial Unity Plaza. Following the unveil, Palou attended the Indiana Pacers’ game with the Borg-Warner Trophy. It was a full-circle moment as he also attended an Indiana Pacers’ playoff game following his Indy 500 win.
The bas-relief, sterling silver image of Palou is the 112th face to be affixed to the iconic trophy, awarded annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 since 1936.
“This is one of those days that I knew I wanted to be part of at some point in my career,” Palou said.
“I knew it was going take a lot of work, and finally to be here and to get to see the trophy for the first time, it’s amazing.
“I know that it’s always going to be there forever, if I race one more year or if I race 50 more years. And whatever the history of INDYCAR is going to be, it’s always going to be there. So, it’s great to be part of all those amazing drivers. And, yeah, I feel that now. I want to get that face again on that trophy. Try and be part again of the history of our sport.”
Renowned sculptor Will Behrends created Palou’s image, as he has for every winner since 1990.Behrends begins his creative process by studying a series of 360-degree photos of the winner to get a baseline for sculpting. Palou then visited Behrends’ studio in Tryon, North Carolina, for an in-person session where Behrends constructed a full-scale clay model of the driver’s face.This life-size clay version is used as reference for Behrends to construct the smaller model, a piece created out of a mixture of oil-based clay. The smaller clay model is turned into a mold and cast in wax before being sent to a jeweler to be transformed into sterling silver. Behrends completes his process by polishing and buffing the sculpture before adhering it to the trophy.
“I’m honored to continue one of the greatest traditions in all of sports and unveil the latest addition to the iconic Borg-Warner Trophy at this beautiful venue,” said Michelle Collins, global director, Marketing and Public Relations, BorgWarner.
“Alex’s victory exemplifies that tenacity and constant commitment to excellence will result in success, on and off the track. On behalf of everyone at BorgWarner, congratulations to Alex and the team at Chip Ganassi Racing.”
Originally designed in 1935, the sterling silver trophy measures over 5 feet, 4-3/4 inches tall and weighs more than 110 pounds as it carries the sculpted face of every victor since 1911 and of former IMS owner Tony Hulman.
Early next year, Palou will receive his BorgWarner Championships Driver’s Trophy, also known as a “Baby Borg,” a miniature replica of the large-scale Borg-Warner Trophy.
Tickets for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and all Month of May events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway are on sale at IMS.com. 

Arow McLaren Signs Hunter-Reay for Fourth Indianapolis 500 Entry

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2014 Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay will join Arrow McLaren Racing the 110th running of the 500. Hunter-Reay will drive car number 31.

The signing is a great one for the team, adding experience and expertise to a group just on the verge of Indy success that just a little extra boost.

The news release frorm Arrow McLaren:

“I am beyond primed and ready to make the absolute most of this partnership”- Ryan Hunter-Reay

Ryan Hunter-Reay, 2014 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2012 INDYCAR SERIES Champion, will join the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500, completing the team’s four-car lineup for the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”  

Ryan joins the team with a wealth of experience and a proven championship pedigree, having made 395 INDYCAR SERIES starts over 21 seasons, earning 18 victories and 47 podium finishes. His storied open-wheel career is highlighted by success at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where he will attempt to qualify for his 18th Indy 500 in May. The veteran will be one of five active drivers competing who boast an INDYCAR SERIES Championship and an Indy 500 victory alongside Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Alex Palou and Will Power.

Arrow McLaren continues its tradition of running an additional distinguished driver in the iconic 500-mile race. In past years, two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso (2017, 2020), two-time Indy 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya (2021, 2022), 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan (2023) and two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson (2024, 2025) have all raced in papaya in the Indy 500 as one-off entries for the team. Ryan will join Arrow McLaren’s full-time lineup of Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel and Christian Lundgaard at the IMS during the Month of May in 2026.