Just a year ago, Doug Boles took on the presidency of IndyCar only weeks before the 2025 season began, immediately confronting a pressing challenge: finalizing contracts with both Honda and Chevrolet to remain as the series’ engine manufacturers. With both companies’ agreements nearing expiration, uncertainty loomed over their continued involvement, risking the future stability of the championship. These negotiations became a top priority for Boles, who stepped in to replace former president Jay Frye.
Negotiations Amid Uncertainty and Speculation
Honda’s future beyond the 2026 season had sparked widespread speculation, particularly due to its over 30 years of participation in IndyCar. Meanwhile, Chevrolet’s return, often seen as a given, was equally unresolved. At the time, neither manufacturer had committed to supplying engines for the 2027 campaign and beyond, creating a tense atmosphere within the series.
Balancing the demanding responsibilities of overseeing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the IndyCar season, Boles dedicated significant effort to understanding and addressing the concerns of both manufacturers.
“For me initially, it was just being able to sit down and understand what both manufacturers wanted out of the series to continue to be in the series, what had some of the challenges been up to that point,”
Boles shared during a media session in St. Petersburg.
He added,
“There was a lot of speculation that Honda might not return; I think everybody just assumed Chevy would but Chevy had not agreed to come back either.”
Innovative Charter Proposal Brings New Value to Manufacturers
Throughout the year, Boles and his team engaged in extensive discussions and problem-solving to find a mutually beneficial solution. Halfway through the process, a key idea emerged: offering each manufacturer a charter—a concept introduced in 2025 to the full-time IndyCar teams to enhance asset value and stability.
Since last season, charters have been assigned to full-time entries, with a maximum of three per team, totaling 25 across the field. Boles proposed granting one charter each to Honda and Chevrolet, increasing the total to 27, coinciding with the planned debut of a new chassis in 2028 under their renewed contracts. This arrangement would allow both OEMs to establish ‘factory’ teams by partnering with existing teams holding fewer than three charters.
“As the series grows, they can get some benefit from that,”
Boles explained, emphasizing how the charter inclusion strengthened the partnership opportunities.
“It was just several iterations that took place over time and then, ultimately, we got to a point where in principle, right before Christmas, we were all in a good spot, finalising it once we got back to the new year.”
He continued,
“And now we’re just ready to get started, focused on 2026 and watching Honda and Chevy do battle and knowing that they’re here long-term.”
New Multi-Year Agreements Offer Long-Term Stability
Earlier this month, IndyCar officially announced that Chevrolet and Honda had signed multi-year agreements to continue supplying engines from 2027 onwards. Both manufacturers will actively contribute to the development of the new 2.4-litre twin-turbo V6 power units as the series transitions to an updated engine formula alongside the new chassis introduction.
This renewal is a vital milestone for the sport, preventing the decline to a single engine supplier and potentially making IndyCar more attractive to other manufacturers. The confirmed continued involvement of both OEMs provides much-needed stability and a foundation for future growth.
Boles highlighted the importance of this achievement:
“The one thing certainly hanging over us when I started [as IndyCar president] was making sure that we found a way to keep Honda and keep Chevy both in the sport.”
He added,
“To be able to get that finalised at the beginning of this year as we go forward is great for all of us. It gives us an opportunity now to really have more robust and hopefully fruitful conversations with a potential third OEM.”
However, Boles acknowledged that the long tenure of Honda and Chevrolet had previously discouraged new entrants, who would face significant ground to make up.
“One of the biggest challenges leading up to that point was the amount of time that Chevy and Honda have been in [IndyCar] was a deterrent for others to invest because they’re going to invest and be significantly behind.”
He remains optimistic, saying,
“So I’m hopeful that we can find that. But the best news is even if we don’t, we’ve got two great partners with us through 2030 at least and that’s going to help us continue to grow.”
Partnerships and Broadcast Deals Fuel Positive Momentum
This confirmation of engine suppliers comes amid a broader wave of optimism surrounding IndyCar’s future, amplified by its growing alliance with FOX Sports. Within five months of broadcasting the series’ first IndyCar race last year, FOX acquired a one-third stake in Penske Entertainment—the organization led by Roger Penske—which owns IndyCar.
FOX Sports is committed to live broadcasting all races in 2026, doubling down on its investment in the series. Reflecting on the partnership, Boles said,
“Obviously last year we started with our new partners in FOX and we knew it was going to be good. We just didn’t know how good it was going to be. The investment that they made to help us grow the series was phenomenal.”
He added,
“And they’ve doubled down on that this year. In fact, not only that, they’re actually a partner in the business now, which I think is a great thing for us.”
Revamped 2026 Schedule Promises Exciting Early Season Action
The 2026 IndyCar season will begin with a rapid sequence of races, featuring three events in consecutive weeks and four within five weeks. This contrasts sharply with past seasons, when the opening races were often separated by prolonged breaks of up to six weeks.
Last season even started with several three-week gaps early in the schedule, but this year promises a more engaging kickoff. The campaign begins at St. Petersburg, followed just six days later by an event at Phoenix Raceway, where IndyCar will compete alongside the NASCAR Cup Series, exposing the series to a broader fan base despite its secondary billing.
The following weekend introduces the inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington, a highly anticipated venue featuring races around the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and MLB’s Texas Rangers stadiums in a booming entertainment district. This event represents IndyCar’s ongoing effort to establish marquee races and tap into key markets.
Describing the excitement around the season opener, Boles remarked,
“Excited about kicking off in St. Pete every year; 22nd year here at St. Petersburg is a fantastic way to kick the season off. Just the electricity in the city is helpful.”
He noted further improvements to the schedule:
“We redid the schedule this year so that instead of St. Pete and then a big gap to our next race—we almost had a second off-season last year—[IndyCar is] able to run three weekends in a row. [The St. Pete weekend is] run with NASCAR Trucks and then getting to go run with NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix, a track that has so much IndyCar history.”
Regarding Arlington, Boles added,
“We’re looking forward to that and then certainly Arlington is going to be a great way for us to race in and around the Cowboys and Rangers stadium, in a market that’s really important.”
Growing Momentum as the Sport Looks Ahead
Anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling six months of racing, as drivers vie to challenge four-time champion Álex Palou in his pursuit of a historic fourth consecutive title. Beyond the track, the series is advancing positively in numerous aspects, from manufacturer participation to broadcast partnerships and event scheduling.
Boles expressed confidence in the trajectory of IndyCar:
“I’m really excited about the 2026 season. Obviously I’m a year and two weeks into this new job and, looking at the IndyCar Series today versus how I looked at it a year and two weeks ago, we’re in a much better spot.”
He concluded,
“I think we’ve got a lot of great growth potential and 2026 is going to be a great year.”
