History of IndyCar in Timeline

IndyCar, LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the sanctioning body for American open-wheel racing. It oversees two racing series: the IndyCar Series, highlighted by the prestigious Indianapolis 500, and the Indy NXT developmental series. IndyCar is a member of the FIA through the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States.

March 1996: CART Files Lawsuit Against Indianapolis Motor Speedway

In March 1996, CART filed a lawsuit against the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in an effort to protect their license to the IndyCar mark after the Indianapolis Motor Speedway had attempted to terminate it.

1997: CART Returns to Branding as Simply CART

In 1997, CART returned to branding as simply CART, and resurrected the term "champ car" to describe their vehicles after agreeing to give up the use of the IndyCar mark following the 1996 season.

2003: Changes to Increase Safety

Following a series of spectacular high-profile accidents in 2003, including American racing legend Mario Andretti and former champion Kenny Bräck, as well as the death of Tony Renna in testing at Indianapolis, the IRL made additional changes to reduce speeds and increase safety.

2003: Indy Racing League Renamed IndyCar Series

For the 2003 racing season, the Indy Racing League announced it would rename their premier series the IndyCar Series. CART filed for bankruptcy that year.

November 2007: Proposal to Champ Car

In November 2007, Tony George offered Champ Car management a proposal that included free cars and engine leases to Champ Car teams willing to run the entire 2008 IndyCar Series schedule in exchange for adding Champ Car's dates at Long Beach, Toronto, Edmonton, and Australia to the IndyCar Series schedule, effectively reuniting American open-wheel car racing.

January 23, 2008: Tony George Offers Champ Car Management a Proposal

On January 23, 2008, Tony George offered Champ Car management a proposal that included free cars and engine leases to Champ Car teams willing to run the entire 2008 IndyCar Series schedule in exchange for adding Champ Car's dates at Long Beach, Toronto, Edmonton, and Australia to the IndyCar Series schedule.

February 10, 2008: IRL Representatives Travel to Japan

On February 10, 2008, Tony George, along with IRL representatives Terry Angstadt and Brian Barnhart, plus former Honda executive Robert Clarke, traveled to Japan to discuss moving the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi.

February 2008: Agreement to Unify the Sport for 2008 Completed

In February 2008, Indy Racing League founder and CEO Tony George and owners of the Champ Car World Series completed an agreement to unify the sport for 2008. The result was that the Champ Car World Series was suspended except for the Long Beach Grand Prix. Many of the former Champ Car teams moved to the IndyCar Series using equipment provided by the IRL.