After IndyCar's television contract with NBC Sports lapsed in 2024, the series signed a new agreement with Fox Sports that will see all races being covered on the Fox Broadcast Network.[1]
On September 23, 2024, IndyCar announced its first ever charter system, which would begin in 2025 and extend until 2031. 25 charters were awarded, with a maximum of 3 for each team. Chartered entries are guaranteed a starting position for every race, excluding the Indianapolis 500. Charters are required to qualify for the Leaders Circle.[N 1][4]
Confirmed entries
The following teams, entries, and drivers are contracted to compete in the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series season. All teams will use a specDallara DW12 chassis with 2018 universal aero kit and Firestone tires.
All full-season entries barring the two from Prema Racing were awarded "charters" which enables those entries to participate in the Leaders Circle program. 25 charters were awarded in total, and those chartered entries will compete for 22 Leaders Circle contracts.[5]
As there are 27 or fewer entries confirmed for the full season (including Prema), no entries will be "bumped" from (fail to qualify for) events outside the Indianapolis 500, which maintains its 33-car starting grid with no guaranteed entries.[5]
As part of the language contained in the charter agreement, teams will be limited to three drivers per entry during a season.[5]
On August 13, 2024, A. J. Foyt Racing confirmed it had signed David Malukas full-time on a multi-year deal. No number was named at the time of the announcement. Malukas departs Meyer Shank Racing after running the final 10 races of 2024 with them.[7]
On September 17, Prema Racing confirmed reports that Callum Ilott would join full-time in a yet-unnumbered entry for the 2025 season. Ilott moves from Jota Sport in the World Endurance Championship and also competed in two IndyCar races in 2024 as an injury substitute for Arrow McLaren.[28]
On September 19, Meyer Shank Racing confirmed that it had signed Marcus Armstrong for the 2025 season, replacing David Malukas in the No. 66 entry. Armstrong departs Chip Ganassi Racing after two seasons.[26]
On September 20, RACER reported that Ed Carpenter Racing informed Rinus VeeKay that it would end their relationship after five seasons.[35] On September 23, VeeKay confirmed this report via social media.[36]
On September 25, Ed Carpenter Racing confirmed its driver line-up, with Alexander Rossi joining the team on a multi-year deal in the No. 20 entry, Christian Rasmussen moving from the No. 20 to the No. 21 entry full-time on a multi-year deal, and owner/driver Ed Carpenter returning to an Indy 500-only role in a third entry.[21]
On October 30, Chip Ganassi Racing confirmed reports that Kyffin Simpson would move from the No. 4 entry to the No. 8, taking the place of a departing Linus Lundqvist.
On November 5, Prema Racing confirmed reports that it had signed Robert Shwartzman to fill its second race seat for the 2025 season. Shwartzman moves from AF Corse in the FIA World Endurance championship.[27]
On November 20, Juncos Hollinger Racing announced the signing of Sting Ray Robb to one of its entries for the 2025 season. He was later confirmed to be assigned to the No. 78 entrant.[23]
On December 4, DRR-Cusick Motorsports confirmed its Indy 500 lineup, with Jack Harvey joining the team in the No. 24 car at the Indianapolis 500.[20]
On December 18, Juncos Hollinger Racing confirmed that Conor Daly would drive the No. 77 entry full-time in 2025, moving from the No. 78 entry which he finished 2024 in, and replacing a departing Romain Grosjean.[22]
Team changes
Preseason
On April 9, 2024, Italian junior formula and endurance racing team Prema Racing announced it would enter two full-time entries in IndyCar in 2025 and will utilizing Chevrolet engines.[37][38]
On August 19, 2024, Meyer Shank Racing confirmed that it would be switching technical alliance partners from Andretti Global to Chip Ganassi Racing, having been with Andretti since 2020.[39]
On September 4, 2024, Racer reported that Chip Ganassi Racing would downsize its IndyCar operation from five to three cars.[40]
Ties will be broken by number of wins, followed by number of 2nds, 3rds, etc.; then by finishing position in the previous race; then by random draw.[41]
Position
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
13th
14th
15th
16th
17th
18th
19th
20th
21st
22nd
23rd
24th
25th+
Points
50
40
35
32
30
28
26
24
22
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
Driver standings
At all races except the Indy 500, the pole position qualifier will earn 1 point (unless qualifying is not held).[42] The twelve Indy 500 qualifiers who qualify for the fast 12 session will receive points based on the results of that session, descending from 12 points for first place.[43]
Drivers who lead at least one race lap will be awarded 1 point.[44] The driver who leads the most laps during a race will score an additional 2 points.[44]
Entrant-initiated engine change-outs before the engine reaches their required distance run result in the loss of 10 points.[45]
^The Leaders Circle program provides approximately $1 million dollars to the top-22 eligible entries by entrant points at the end of a season, in what has been described by sources as a "socialized financial incentive program"[2][3].
