Written by Archie O’Reilly
IndyCar has confirmed the establishment of its charter system, which will come into effect for the 2025 season.
Team owners of 10 teams, not including the brand-new Prema Racing outfit, have accepted charters for 25 entries at maximum of three-per-team. They were offered based on full-time entries in the series across the previous two seasons.
“This is an important development that demonstrates an aligned and optimistic vision for the future of our sport,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said. “I want to extend my sincere appreciation to our team owners for their collaboration and ideation throughout this process.
“Ultimately, we’re pleased to have a system in place that provides greater value for our ownership and the entries they field.”
This is the first time a charter system has been introduced in IndyCar Series history. Each chartered entry will be guaranteed a starting position in each race of the IndyCar season, not including the Indianapolis 500, and will gain Leaders’ Circle contract eligibility.
Andretti Global, Arrow McLaren, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Team Penske have received charters for all three entries. Chip Ganassi Racing ran five cars in 2024 but will only receive three charters, leading to the cutting of two of its entries.
“When you look back in the modern era of IndyCar racing, you will look at a few important moments, the first being the unification of the sport, the next being Roger Penske buying the IndyCar Series and IMS,” Chip Ganassi said.
“I truly believe the third will be the charter system.”
The remaining teams - AJ Foyt Racing, Dale Coyne Racing, Ed Carpenter Racing, Juncos Hollinger Racing and Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) - will each have two charters.
“The charter agreement, to me, is the single-most important piece for the future of the series,” Michael Shank said. “I’m grateful that we all came together on this and thank the Roger Penske group for working with the team owners for getting it done.”
The terms of the initial charter agreements are running through to the end of 2031. It is viewed by teams as being crucial for their long-term security and status in the series.
“We are very pleased to begin this new era,” Ed Carpenter said. “The process has been thorough but, in the end, very exciting. This charter system will clearly strengthen our teams as we continue to grow the sport. I would like to thank Roger [Penske] and his entire team at IndyCar.
“ECR will have announcements soon, and I don’t know that they would be possible without the help of a program like this. With this groundbreaking development, the new TV deal with FOX and the momentum that had been building, IndyCar’s future is very bright.”
The charter has been proposed to owners in multiple different forms but the 10-team ownership group has come to an agreement after an extended period of talks.
“I appreciate the efforts made by the IndyCar and Penske leadership groups, as well as all the owners, to get this charter system started,” Larry Foyt said. “It is incredibly challenging to get a large group of owners to agree on something, and certainly there was some give and take.
“But in the end, I believe this is a path that is beneficial for all of the owners and for IndyCar, while also maintaining the availability for open competition.”
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