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 affiliated with the FIA through the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States.

1905: Roots of open-wheel racing

As early as 1905, open-wheel car racing, also known as championship car racing or Indy car racing, traces its roots back to this time.

1979: CART breaks away from USAC

In 1979, CART broke away from USAC and primarily sanctioned Indy car racing.

1980: USAC sanctions Indy 500

From 1980, USAC continued to sanction the Indy 500, although CART drivers predominantly competed in the race and points that drivers scored during the event counted towards the CART drivers' championship.

1992: IndyCar trademark registered

In 1992, during an attempt by CART to broaden their board membership, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway registered the camel case trademark IndyCar with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and licensed it to CART as their new trade name.

1994: IMS forms Indy Racing League

In 1994, after compromise board attempts failed, IMS formed the Indy Racing League, with the series being slated to begin racing in 1996.

1994: Indy Racing League formed

In 1994, the Indy Racing League was formed by Hulman & Company, which also owned the Indianapolis Motor Speedway complex.

1995: USAC sanctions Indy 500

Until 1995, USAC continued to sanction the Indy 500, although CART drivers predominantly competed in the race and points that drivers scored during the event counted towards the CART drivers' championship.

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.

1996: CART schedules U.S. 500

In 1996, CART retaliated by scheduling what was supposed to become its new showcase event, the U.S. 500, at Michigan International Speedway on Memorial Day, the traditional date for the Indy 500.

1996: Settlement reached regarding IndyCar mark

In 1996, a settlement was reached where CART agreed to give up the IndyCar mark after the 1996 season, and the IRL agreed not to use the name before the end of the 2002 season.

1996: Indy Racing League begins competition

In 1996, the Indy Racing League began competition. It was formed by Hulman & Company, which also owned the Indianapolis Motor Speedway complex.

1996: Indy Racing League slated to begin racing

The Indy Racing League was slated to begin racing in 1996. CART had primarily sanctioned Indy car racing since 1979, when the organization broke away from USAC.

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.

1997: New technical rules introduced

In 1997, the new technical rules featured less expensive chassis and "production-based" engines that were purchased rather than leased, but most importantly, were technically incompatible with CART specifications.

2002: IRL Agrees to use IndyCar Mark

In 2002, the IRL agreed not to use the IndyCar name before the end of the 2002 season as part of a settlement.

2002: IRL begins to draw top teams from CART

Starting in 2002, the IRL began to draw top teams from CART, contributing to the latter's bankruptcy and replacement by the Champ Car World Series in 2003.

2003: IRL makes additional changes to reduce speeds and 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, the IRL made additional changes to reduce speeds and increase safety.

2003: Indy Racing League renames premier series the IndyCar Series

Following a six-year hiatus, the Indy Racing League announced it would rename their premier series the IndyCar Series for the 2003 racing season.

2003: Champ Car World Series replaces CART

The IRL began to draw top teams from CART starting in 2002, contributing to the latter's bankruptcy, replacement by the Champ Car World Series in 2003, and ultimate demise and absorption by the IRL in 2008.

November 2007: Initial offer made to Champ Car

In November 2007, Tony George initially made an offer to Champ Car management.

January 23, 2008: Tony George offers proposal to Champ Car management

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 to the IndyCar Series schedule, effectively reuniting American open-wheel car racing.

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 to accommodate the Long Beach Grand Prix.

February 2008: Agreement to unify sport

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, resulting in the suspension of the Champ Car World Series except for the Long Beach Grand Prix.

2008: Two series unified

In 2008, the IndyCar Series and Champ Car World Series were unified, with the unified series using the IndyCar Series name.

2008: IRL absorbs Champ Car World Series

February 2010: Randy Bernard announced as IRL CEO

In February 2010, Randy Bernard was announced as the new IRL CEO.

January 1, 2011: INDYCAR name adopted

On January 1, 2011, the trademark name INDYCAR was officially adopted by the Indy Racing League.

2011: Indy Racing League becomes IndyCar

In 2011, the sanctioning body dropped the Indy Racing League name, becoming IndyCar to reflect the merged series.

October 2012: Randy Bernard fired as CEO

In October 2012, Randy Bernard was fired and replaced by Mark Miles.

November 1, 2013: Legal name changed to INDYCAR LLC

On November 1, 2013, the company's legal name was changed to INDYCAR LLC.

2013: IndyCar collaborates with DreamWorks Animation to launch Turbo

In 2013, IndyCar collaborated with DreamWorks Animation to launch the comedy film Turbo.

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November 2019: Penske purchases IndyCar

In November 2019, Roger Penske, via Penske Entertainment Corp., a subsidiary of Penske Corporation, purchased IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from Hulman & Co.