Penske Entertainment Announces Independent Officiating Board for IndyCar in 2026
In a significant structural reform, Penske Entertainment will establish an independent officiating board (IOB) for the IndyCar Series and its Indy NXT development series starting in 2026. This board will operate under a newly formed non-profit entity, IndyCar Officiating, Inc., marking a pivotal change in race oversight within the series.
The IOB will consist of three members, including NASCAR veteran Ray Evernham and former Ford executive Raj Nair, selected by IndyCar Series team owners. The third member, Ronan Morgan, will be appointed from the FIA, where he has an extensive background with over 50 years in global motorsport governance. According to a Penske statement, Morgan previously chaired stewards at over 100 international racing events and serves as president of the FIA Drivers Commission.
The new board is tasked with hiring a managing director of officiating (MDO) who will have complete autonomy over officiating decisions, reporting directly to the IOB without oversight from IndyCar or Penske officials. The MDO will oversee personnel for race control and technical inspections, ensuring adherence to the IndyCar and Indy NXT rulebooks.
Chip Ganassi, owner of the reigning championship-winning team, expressed confidence in the board, stating, “I look forward to their guidance as they take the next step of hiring a managing director.” This sentiment reflects a broader consensus among team owners, who had previously voiced concerns over the influence of Penske Entertainment on race governance.
Penske’s move to establish the IOB comes in response to calls for improved separation between race control and team operations, particularly following penalties levied against Team Penske for rule violations. IndyCar President Doug Boles previously indicated intentions to create some form of independent oversight during a post-qualifying press conference at the Indy 500.
While the board represents a shift in governance, many existing officials are expected to transition their employment from Penske Entertainment to the new independent entity, maintaining continuity in race management. Notably, Penske Entertainment will continue to fund the salaries of IndyCar Officiating, Inc.’s officials, indicating a complex relationship between oversight independence and organizational dependence.
This initiative underscores Penske Entertainment’s commitment to transparency and integrity within the sport while striving for a governance model that aligns with the evolving needs of IndyCar and its competitors.
