Penske Entertainment Establishes Independent Officiating Structure for IndyCar
Penske Entertainment is set to implement an independent officiating structure for IndyCar in 2026, following critical evaluations of governance and oversight systems. After consultations with FIA representatives during the August IndyCar event at Milwaukee Mile, Penske has decided against outsourcing officiating duties to external organizations like the SCCA.
Instead, Penske will form a new independent board comprising three members tasked with overseeing race control and technical inspection teams. Although the board members have yet to be appointed, they will directly engage with Penske Entertainment while maintaining operational autonomy. A lead administrator will also be appointed to manage daily operations within this structure.
A spokesperson confirmed to RACER, “Our commitment to independent officiating is firm, and direct planning and preparations are underway.” This move responds to ongoing concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest stemming from Roger Penske’s ownership of both IndyCar and the Team Penske racing team.
Calls for independent governance intensified following incidents in May 2025, when Team Penske vehicles were penalized for illegal modifications during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500. As IndyCar President Doug Boles indicated, the organization aims to remove any perceptions of bias in race officiating.
While Penske Entertainment will continue to fund officiating personnel, the independent board will ensure that all race regulators, from race directors to technical inspectors, report directly to the board rather than to the senior leadership of IndyCar.
Operationally, IndyCar officials will maintain their roles without immediate changes, as Boles reiterated, “This board will not be sitting in race control or standing out around tech, helping call penalties, real-time. Operationally, everything will remain as it is; it’s how it’s led that will shift towards greater independence.”
The new structure aims to enhance the integrity of the officiating process in the IndyCar Series, ensuring a clear separation between ownership and race governance as the sport continues to evolve.
