Chevrolet and Honda to increase their involvement in INDYCAR

INDYCAR announced that Chevrolet and Honda will receive charters starting in 2028, transforming both manufacturers from simple engine suppliers into direct commercial partners of the series. The multi-year agreements, effective from 2027, include active participation in the development of the new hybrid car scheduled for 2028, which substantially changes the relationship between the series and its engine suppliers. The charters function as participation licenses with commercial value that guarantee entry on the grid, a system INDYCAR implemented in September 2024 for teams with the goal of creating long-term financial stability. Until now, the series had granted 25 permanent entries among 10 teams, drawing inspiration from the NASCAR model that has generated tangible commercial value for its participants.

Extending the charter system to manufacturers is unprecedented in INDYCAR's history and fundamentally changes the participation structure for Honda and Chevrolet. J. Douglas Boles, president of INDYCAR, explained that both brands "now have a new opportunity to build upon their legacies," although the real change goes beyond the sporting aspect: the charters allow them to invest directly in the commercial value of the series rather than limiting themselves to providing technical equipment. Teams with three existing charters will not be able to use a fourth charter via a manufacturer, according to INDYCAR, maintaining the three-entry per team limit established in the original system.

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Participation in 2028 car development

Both manufacturers will work directly on the design of the 2.4-liter V6 engine with dual turbochargers and hybrid system that will debut in 2028, in addition to participating in defining the complete regulations for the new car. This direct influence on development changes their traditional role as suppliers who adapted to specifications determined by the series. Mark Reuss, president of General Motors, emphasized that "the addition of a charter allows Chevrolet to join other stakeholders to strengthen the series," explicitly acknowledging the commercial component of the agreement. Honda Racing Corporation USA stated that the commitment reinforces their technological development capability over more than three decades of participation in INDYCAR, emphasizing the continuity of a relationship that began in 1994.

The agreements dismiss speculation that circulated in previous months about a possible departure by Honda when their contract ends in 2026, rumors that generated uncertainty about the future of manufacturers in the series. There was also unofficial talk of a third supplier such as Toyota showing interest, although those conversations never progressed toward confirmed public negotiations. The multi-year contracts guarantee continuity of the current duopoly until at least 2028, coinciding with the arrival of the new generation of hybrid cars that will define the next era of INDYCAR.

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INDYCAR manufacturer balance

Chevrolet has accumulated 16 manufacturer championships in INDYCAR history, distributed across three distinct periods: two titles in the 1988-93 era, one in 2002, and 10 since their return in 2012, including the three most recent championships of 2022, 2023, and 2024. Honda has recorded 11 championships since their debut in 1994, with seven titles obtained in direct competition against other manufacturers and the most recent in 2025. Honda also operated as the sole supplier for six seasons, a role that allowed them to maintain continuous presence in the series for over 30 years without interruption.

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For 2026, the grid is distributed with 17 Chevrolet cars and 14 Hondas across 11 teams:

Team	Engine	#	Driver
Team Penske	Chevrolet	2	Josef Newgarden
		3	Scott McLaughlin
		12	David Malukas
Arrow McLaren	Chevrolet	5	Pato O'Ward
		6	Nolan Siegel
		7	Christian Lundgaard
		31	Ryan Hunter-Reay
Ed Carpenter Racing	Chevrolet	20	Alexander Rossi
		21	Christian Rasmussen
		33	Ed Carpenter
Juncos Hollinger Racing	Chevrolet	76	Rinus VeeKay
		77	Sting Ray Robb
Prema Racing	Chevrolet	83	Robert Shwartzman
		90	Callum Ilott
A.J. Foyt Enterprises	Chevrolet	4	Caio Collet
		14	Santino Ferrucci
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing	Chevrolet	24	Jack Harvey
Chip Ganassi Racing	Honda	8	Kyffin Simpson
		9	Scott Dixon
		10	Álex Palou
Andretti Global	Honda	26	Will Power
		27	Kyle Kirkwood
		28	Marcus Ericsson
Rahal Letterman Lanigan	Honda	15	Graham Rahal
		45	Louis Foster
		47	Mick Schumacher
Meyer Shank Racing	Honda	6	Hélio Castroneves
		60	Felix Rosenqvist
		66	Marcus Armstrong
Dale Coyne Racing	Honda	18	Dennis Hauger
		51	TBA

The series will begin its 2026 season on March 1st at the St. Petersburg, Florida street circuit. Details of the hybrid package that will accompany the new car in 2028 will be announced later, although the 2.4-liter V6 configuration with dual turbochargers has already been confirmed.