Beginning in 2027, IndyCar will no longer accept entries from non-chartered teams in races except the Indianapolis 500, the series confirmed to IndyStar on Saturday. There will be 25 full-time IndyCar entries in 2027 before that number returns to 27 in 2028 with Honda and Chevrolet each receiving a chartered entry as part of their agreement to re-sign as engine manufacturers.
“Beginning with the 2027 IndyCar series season, entry fields at all races outside of the Indianapolis 500 will be limited to chartered teams only," IndyCar said in a statement. "This decision was reached after thoughtful consideration with key stakeholders and, in particular, series suppliers who are making plans for the upcoming season as all parties look to build the series’ health and on-track competition.”
IndyCar began its charter system, which NASCAR introduced in 2016, ahead of the 2025 season. IndyCar made 25 of its 27 full-time entries chartered, making them eligible for the Leaders Circle program, which compensated the 22 highest finishing chartered entries in the standings. Prema Racing, which was in its inaugural IndyCar season in 2025, was the only team not to have its two entries chartered last year.
This year, every full-time entry in the series has been chartered due to Prema Racing being unable to compete while DC Racing Solutions, Prema Racing's parent company, looks to sell the team or secure a significant investor. That has kept the full-time field at its 25 chartered cars.
Caio Collet, A.J. Foyt Racing driver for the 2026 IndyCar Series seasonSantino Ferrucci, 2026 IndyCar Series driver for A.J. Foyt RacingWill Power, Andretti Global driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesKyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesMarcus Ericsson, Andretti Global driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesPato O'Ward, Arrow McLaren driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesNolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesChristian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesRyan Hunter-Reay, 2025 Indianapolis 500 driverKyffin Simpson, Chip Ganassi Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesScott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesAlex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesDAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: Romain Grosjean driver of The #16 Myers Riley Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 GTD walks on stage during driver introductions before the start of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway on January 24, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)Dennis Hauger, Dale Coyne Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesJuncos Hollinger Racing driver Conor Daly (76) makes his way to pit lane Thursday, May 15, 2025, during practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.Jack Harvey was announced Monday as the driver of the No. 45 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Hy-Vee Honda for 2022 on a multi-year deal.Alexander Rossi, Ed Carpenter Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesChristian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesEd Carpenter, 2025 Indy 500 driverRinus Veekay, Juncos Hollinger Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesSting Ray Robb, Juncos Hollinger Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesHelio Castroneves walks onto the track Friday, May 23, 2025, On Carb Day ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesMarcus Armstrong, Meyer Shank Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesGraham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesLouis Foster, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesRahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (75) suits up for practice on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, during practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher, walks through the pit lane during the first day of the ADAC Formula Four preseason tests in Oschersleben, Germany.Josef Newgarden, Team Penske driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesScott McLaughlin, Team Penske driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesDavid Malukas, Team Penske driver in 2026 IndyCar Series1 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversCaio Collet, A.J. Foyt Racing driver for the 2026 IndyCar Series season1 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversCaio Collet, A.J. Foyt Racing driver for the 2026 IndyCar Series season2 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversSantino Ferrucci, 2026 IndyCar Series driver for A.J. Foyt Racing3 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversWill Power, Andretti Global driver in 2026 IndyCar Series4 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversKyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global driver in 2026 IndyCar Series5 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversMarcus Ericsson, Andretti Global driver in 2026 IndyCar Series6 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversPato O'Ward, Arrow McLaren driver in 2026 IndyCar Series7 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversNolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren driver in 2026 IndyCar Series8 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversChristian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren driver in 2026 IndyCar Series9 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversRyan Hunter-Reay, 2025 Indianapolis 500 driver10 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversKyffin Simpson, Chip Ganassi Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series11 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversScott Dixon, Chip Ganassi Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series12 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversAlex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series13 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversDAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: Romain Grosjean driver of The #16 Myers Riley Motorsports Ford Mustang GT3 GTD walks on stage during driver introductions before the start of the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway on January 24, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)14 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversDennis Hauger, Dale Coyne Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series15 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversJuncos Hollinger Racing driver Conor Daly (76) makes his way to pit lane Thursday, May 15, 2025, during practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.16 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversJack Harvey was announced Monday as the driver of the No. 45 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Hy-Vee Honda for 2022 on a multi-year deal.17 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversAlexander Rossi, Ed Carpenter Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series18 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversChristian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series19 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversEd Carpenter, 2025 Indy 500 driver20 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversRinus Veekay, Juncos Hollinger Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series21 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversSting Ray Robb, Juncos Hollinger Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series22 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversHelio Castroneves walks onto the track Friday, May 23, 2025, On Carb Day ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.23 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversFelix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series24 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversMarcus Armstrong, Meyer Shank Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series25 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversGraham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series26 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversLouis Foster, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver in 2026 IndyCar Series27 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversRahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Takuma Sato (75) suits up for practice on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, during practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.28 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversMick Schumacher, son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher, walks through the pit lane during the first day of the ADAC Formula Four preseason tests in Oschersleben, Germany.29 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversJosef Newgarden, Team Penske driver in 2026 IndyCar Series30 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversScott McLaughlin, Team Penske driver in 2026 IndyCar Series31 / 31Indy 500 confirmed driversDavid Malukas, Team Penske driver in 2026 IndyCar SeriesWhen IndyCar announced that Honda and Chevrolet would get chartered entries in 2028 — the year IndyCar is set to debut its first new car since 2012 — IndyCar president Doug Boles said he expected only chartered entries to compete in the series full-time.
“If we limit the number where we are in charters, it’s going to add some value to our team owners, who have invested millions of dollars over time,” Boles said in February. “So really, I think that’s where it’s going to come from. It’s going to come from those teams who have decided to either take on new partners, or when they decide that they’re ready to leave the NTT IndyCar Series, there’s some value and something beyond the assets that’ll allow them to transition to a new team ownership.”
No team has been sold since IndyCar introduced its charter system. Any new team looking to drive in the series full-time would need to partner with an engine manufacturer or purchase one of the 10 existing chartered teams.
Zion Brown is IndyStar's motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyCar to require a charter for non-Indy 500 races beginning in 2027