The History of IndyCar
When it comes to speed, spectacle, and a legacy as long as a straightaway at Indianapolis, few motorsports can match the drama of IndyCar. Often overshadowed internationally by Formula 1, IndyCar racing has carved out its own fiercely loyal following, characterised by high speeds, iconic tracks, and one of the most famous events in all of motorsport: the Indianapolis 500.
But where did it all begin, and how did it evolve into the series we see today? Buckle up, here’s the story of IndyCar, from its dusty oval roots to the turbocharged competition of the modern era.
Early Origins: The Birth of American Open-Wheel Racing
The origins of IndyCar are closely tied to the history of American open-wheel racing, which dates back to the early 20th century. While various forms of automobile competition were emerging worldwide, the United States saw its own racing culture take shape around dirt ovals, wooden board tracks, and most famously, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Constructed in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, known as the Brickyard due to its racing surface originally being paved with bricks, quickly became a centrepiece of American motorsport. The inaugural Indianapolis 500 was held in 1911, and it instantly established itself as one of the most challenging and prestigious races in the world.
The event featured purpose-built cars, massive engines, and brave drivers piloting machines at the edge of mechanical and physical limits. Long before “IndyCar” existed as a term, the 500 was already shaping its identity.
The Road to Sanctioning Bodies: AAA, USAC, and CART
For decades, the American Automobile Association (AAA) was the leading sanctioning body for racing in the U.S., including the Indy 500. Following the tragic Le Mans disaster in 1955, the AAA withdrew from motorsport, and its responsibilities were assumed by the United States Auto Club (USAC).
USAC governed championship racing for several decades, but by the late 1970s, team owners were growing frustrated with what they saw as outdated rules and a lack of innovation. This led to the formation of a breakaway group known as Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) in 1979.
CART brought new energy to the sport. It featured modern sponsorships, technical innovations, and expanding TV coverage. The Indy 500, still sanctioned by USAC, remained the crown jewel, but tensions between CART and the Speedway were simmering.
The 1996 Split: Indy Racing League vs. CART
Perhaps the most defining moment in IndyCar history came in 1996, when Tony George, then president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, launched the Indy Racing League (IRL) as a rival to CART.
The split was controversial and deeply divisive. The IRL focused on American drivers, ovals, and cost control, while CART retained more international drivers, road and street courses, and higher budgets.
For the first time, the Indy 500 was not part of the CART calendar. Instead, the IRL held its own series, with the Indy 500 as its centrepiece. CART held a competing event on the same day. Fans were confused, sponsors were divided, and the sport suffered as a result. Both series saw declining viewership and commercial losses.
The divide lasted over a decade and is often regarded as one of the most significant setbacks in American motorsport history.
Reunification: The Modern IndyCar Series
In 2008, after years of declining fortunes, the two rival series were finally reunited. The IRL absorbed the remnants of CART, and the unified series was rebranded as IndyCar.
The modern IndyCar Series retained many of the best elements from both predecessors. It kept a mix of ovals, road courses, and street circuits, making it one of the most versatile racing calendars in the world. The focus shifted to creating competitive parity, managing costs, and building a strong brand identity around the Indy 500.
The championship’s technical specifications were also standardised. The Dallara DW12 chassis, introduced in 2012, brought improved safety and closer racing. Named in honour of the late Dan Wheldon, the DW12 has become the backbone of the series ever since.
The Indianapolis 500: Still the Main Event
The Indy 500 remains the cornerstone of IndyCar racing. Held every May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the race is one of the most-watched motorsport events in the world and forms part of the prestigious Triple Crown of Motorsport, alongside the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Monaco Grand Prix.
Drivers reach speeds of over 230 miles per hour on the 2.5-mile oval, with strategy, aerodynamics, and split-second decisions often determining the outcome. Legends such as A. J. Foyt, Rick Mears, Al Unser, and Helio Castroneves have etched their names into the Speedway’s bricks.
Even with modern changes, the race retains its old-school prestige and drama, blending tradition with technology.
IndyCar Today: Speed, Safety, and Showmanship
Today’s IndyCar Series is a well-balanced blend of heritage and innovation. It attracts drivers from around the world, including veterans of Formula One and rising stars from American feeder series. Champions like Scott Dixon, Will Power, and Josef Newgarden have helped raise the series’ profile through consistent excellence.
One of the most celebrated modern storylines has been Helio Castroneves’ fourth Indy 500 win in 2021, making him part of an elite club. Meanwhile, rising talents like Pato O’Ward and Alex Palou represent a new era of competition.
Technological advancements have also played a role. The introduction of the Aeroscreen, a protective cockpit device, has dramatically improved driver safety without compromising visibility or fan engagement.
The series has leveraged digital platforms, targeted younger audiences, and implemented fan engagement strategies, all while maintaining its high-speed, high-skill identity.
Conclusion: A Race Built to Last
The history of IndyCar is not just a story of speed. It’s a story of innovation, rivalry, resilience, and reinvention. From wooden wheels and hand signals to carbon fibre and telemetry, the journey of IndyCar mirrors the evolution of motorsport itself.
Through decades of division and unity, triumph and tragedy, IndyCar has remained uniquely American, fast, fearless, and always moving forward. Whether it’s the roar of the engines at Indianapolis or the tight corners of a city street race, IndyCar continues to prove that it belongs on the global motorsport stage.
The History of IndyCar FAQ
IndyCar is the premier level of American open-wheel racing, renowned for its high-speed competition on a diverse mix of oval tracks, road courses, and street circuits.
The first Indianapolis 500 was held in 1911 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and remains the most prestigious race in the IndyCar calendar.
The nickname comes from the original surface of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which was paved with over three million bricks in 1909. A strip of those bricks still marks the start-finish line today.
The split occurred when the Indianapolis Motor Speedway launched the Indy Racing League, separating from the CART series. It created confusion and divided fans until reunification in 2008.
[this article originally appeared on 5MinuteHistory.com on 22 July 2025]
