Yeah, I needed a place to put this idea down. I had kicked around a similar "dream sheet" for 2025, and recently re-discovered it. All I did at first was change the dates, but then I thought: how do I share my crack-headed fever dream about a potential future for IndyCar with the world? If only I had a website to put it on?

So this is where I'll hang it. And then modify it.

If any of you know anyone at Fox Sports and/or IndyCar and/or my old boss, RP - he hired me as an incompetent software engineer when I was 15-years-old... So, 30 years ago... I was a mostly ineffective kid who drank from a firehose but realized early on that other than "The Beast," the rest of the IndyCar team (well, CART back then) was doing things not terribly outlandish, and it was just a matter of talent. I didn't live up to it back then, though I think things have changed a lot since then (between that and failing out of one SOF Pipeline, I certainly got my ego in check, which helped me the rest of my life. Now I relish being the dumbest person in the room because I can learn so much more.)

Zak Brown might appreciate this too. Oh well, we can always share this post on the twitters? Alex Rossi, you're my oldest son's favorite and you've got the big podcast following?

I know this won't happen, but a boy can dream, right? If any of these things end up happening, I don't care if I get any credit, I just hope it makes IndyCar bigger than the left-turning taxi cabs and we get back to the CART era of speeds and sponsorship.

I'm aware for those that don't know much of this seems fantastical; racing in South America and Japan and Europe. Except those things have been done before. 2.65l V-8s. That was the standard for over a decade, and something both Ilmor and HRC could tool up easily, as well as Cosworth and Toyota Gazoo. Tire wars? More time in the history of the sport than with a single manufacturer. Goodyear didn't leave because of the war with Firestone, they left because of the CART/IRL split. Those days are over.

There's a huge amount of room for growth especially with an aggressive marketing partner in Fox. While IndyCar will probably not grow to usurp Formula 1 worldwide, usurping NASCAR as the premier domestic racing series that exports oval racing globally and showcases the world's truly top driving talent is completely plausible.

Is this a fever dream? Yes.

But is it detailed? And somewhat doable? Probably.

It's also a menu so-to-speak. The technical rules changes and adding another (or two) engine manufacturers is not necessarily in the cards by 2027 (or even 2028). But it's also plausible to add some circuits in 2027 and others in 2028.

Is Phakisa in South Africa probable? No. But this is a fever dream after all...

I've broken this down into a lot of parts. From 1-9 is basically the meat of the proposal. Part 10 is the schedule, complete with everything from the average temperature to the population of the metro area served and what other events are going on in the world on those dates that could "conflict." Parts 11-14 address some holes you might figure out on your own as you read this. I don't have an editor, so as I write and then read through things, I tended to find (mainly with the schedule), some "red-teaming" concerns worth working out. Hopefully I addressed those.

So, here it is, in all of it's bulleted list glory:

IndyCar 2027 & 2028 – A Dream Proposal

Technical specification changes:
1. Take further advantage of the new hybrid engines, and possibly with allowing the manufacturers to have a lot more input on the engine configuration changes for 2028. I know this post is a pitch for a schedule in 2027, but can’t help but have some tech suggestions for 2028...
  1. From a cost/performance ratio, and that with the reliability requirements for the current 2.2l 90° V-6s reaching their approximate limit, and given the existence of the following blocks, would like to see one of the following two configurations:
    1. Return to 2.65l 90° DOHC V-8s with 45″Hg (22.1 psi) single turbo internal combustion engines on renewable ethanol + hybrid electrification to get over 1000 BHP in some configurations.
    2. Either keep the 2.2l 90° DOHC V-6s or move to use of 1.6l 90° DOHC V-6 with twin turbos (boost TBD) – using the current F1 specification which is being phased out in 2026 – but changed to renewable ethanol fuel + hybrid electrification. Neither of these may have enough power to reach goals though.
      - The 2.65l option would increase power dramatically over the current configuration without dramatically increasing costs as it’s a known formula that worked well for many years. It’s not as if power or even aero are limitations other than those imposed by the rule book relative to costs; Offys and Buick stock blocks (albeit they were hand grenades) had more power than IndyCar now, decades ago. With the pace car – a Corvette C8 ZR-1 - having more power than the race cars, something should change (especially as a C8 ZR-1x will have even more in 2026). This would allow for more performance and increase marketability, especially relative to NASCAR.
  2. Keep Chevrolet-Ilmor and Honda power production, potentially adding more manufacturers. The goal is making the series much more “performance threatening” to Formula 1, even if only because of ballistic speeds on ovals - the IndyCars aren't going to beat a lap time on any course they both race - but doing so at a much lower cost point to make it accessible to sponsors at a better cost/exposure ratio. May want to add a German and/or Korean manufacturer if possible.
    1. Target Manufacturers:
      1. Highest priority is to keep the two current manufacturers happy:
        
        Chevrolet (Ilmor)
        
        Honda (HRC)
      2. Second priority is to solicit new manufacturers:
        
        Tier 1 - make at least one, if not both of these happen
        
        Ford (Cosworth)
        
        Toyota (Gazoo)
        
        Tier 2 - this would be nice, but not necessary. If both Tier 1 entrants agree, this is moot; IMSA and WEC are where manufacturers really have competition these days, albeit is the balance of power equations keep making it difficult to compete, this too may push manufacturers into other premiere racing series.
        
        Volkswagen (Audi/Porsche/Lamborghini)
        
        Hyundai (Hyundai/Kia/Genesis)
2. Chassis standards
  1. May want to keep Dallara as sole supplier (IR-28), or open spec up to multiple to increase supply (Dallara + Panoz?). This will probably not be a 2027/2028 problem, but if IndyCar grows in sponsorship and exposure while keeping costs hovering around 10% of Formula 1, it will become a lot more attactive to a lot more racing teams.
    1. Keeping a speedway vs road/short oval specification basis that are both "spec'd"
    2. Universal safety features (HANS integration, halo or windscreen, etc.)
  2. Incorporate the 18” wheels from F1 and NASCAR. This may open up tire supply options. Ultimately, this can be used to drive down testing costs if implemented intelligently.
    1. Manufacturers:
      1. Keep Firestone. They've been a great partner for a long time.
      2. Goodyear? They build on that wheel size for NASCAR and have a long CART/IndyCar history. In fact, they only left IndyCar and CART because of the split (not because of a tire war with Firestone). Now that the Civil War is long over, they can come home.
      3. Pirelli builds in that space for F1; would not require new tooling, and already work for many similar loads/stresses, even if oval loads are higher.
    2. Associated rules changes.
      1. In the case of adding a second (and even third) tire manufacturer, a lot of rules changes would be needed regarding testing as this effectively creates a massive tire war, and we're trying to keep costs down. Tire competition has been expensive but largely fair in IndyCar history; back when both Goodyear and Firestone participated in CART/IndyCar, performance was relatively similar, but testing costs did increase. In other series, such as Formula 1, the tire wars between Bridgestone and Michelin were disastrous.
        
        All Testing is Centralized and "Open-Source"
        Private, manufacturer-exclusive tire testing is banned. All tire development must happen at a series of Official IndyCar Tire Development Tests held throughout the year.
        
        The Format: These are 2-day, all-team-invited events managed by IndyCar at key tracks where the weather is appropriate (e.g., Sebring before St. Petersburg; Phoenix in the winter; Laguna Seca and IMS as weather permits).
        
        The "Open-Source" Rule: This is the most important part. All data from all cars - regardless of which tire they are running - is fed into a central, shared data pool. Every team, and every tire manufacturer, can see the telemetry, tire temperatures, pressure data, and degradation rates from every other car in real-time. This immediately kills the value of secret development and forces the competition out into the open. The tire compound data is still a secret to the manufacturer, but the results of the test of everything is in the open.
        
        Manufacturers Pay to Play. To have their tires included in these official tests, manufacturers must pay a significant fee into a central "Testing Alliance Fund" managed by IndyCar.
        
        The Competition: The "war" is no longer about who can spend the most on secret testing. Their innovation must be proven transparently, in front of the entire paddock.
        
        The Value for Manufacturers: This is a more controlled and efficient R&D environment for them. Instead of funding just one team's limited perspective, they get a wealth of data from 27 cars on different setups, which is far more valuable for development.
        
        For Goodyear and Pirelli, this data can actually help them with their NASCAR and Formula 1 efforts as well.
        
        The Fund Subsidizes the Teams. This is where the costs are reversed for the teams. The money in the Testing Alliance Fund is used to pay a standardized appearance fee to every team that participates in the test.
        
        The Payout: The fee would be calculated to be greater than a team's operational cost for the event. For example, if it costs a team $75,000 in engine mileage, parts life, and personnel costs to attend a two-day test, the payout from the fund might be $100,000. The Result: Teams now have a net profit of $25,000 for each test they attend. Testing is no longer a financial drain; it's a vital part of the business model. This incentivizes full participation, which generates more data, which in turn helps the manufacturers develop better tires.
3. Maintain single Xtrac transmission and AP Racing (Brembo) clutch configuration.
4. Maintain single PFC brake supply.
5. Keep specifications based on lower cost, forcing teams to work on “advantages” through things like:
  1. Suspension settings (geometries and spring rates)
  2. Tire pressures
  3. Gearing selections
  4. Wing angles
6. May want to reduce limitations on software development as the cost/performance ratio is diametrically wider. Things like hybrid control, traction control, even dynamic weight jacking, braking bias controls, etc., are all software only functionality that can increase performance advantages without installing new hardware on the car, and therefore keep costs down. Many of these technologies are currently limited by the rules, but are actually very low cost to implement.
7. Rely more on simulators for testing than current test regimes; a partnership with a global software icon for this like Microsoft or Electronic Arts can lead to product tie-ins (especially for gaming companies) but also alleviate many costs for teams through a subsidized development model. The cost to build a simulator that does real-time vehicle dynamics across hundreds of variables (making it a simulator for engineering staff) combined with the driving simulation, can drastically improve performance at pennies on the dollar compared to in-person testing which instead can be used as validation testing of simulator efforts.
8. IndyCar doesn't need a hard cost-cap like F1; the added stresses of accounting and the inability to use fusion of multiple race teams to save money (such as combining an IMSA Sports Car Championship and NASCAR team garage with the IndyCar garage) is something that organizations with cost caps like Formula 1 have explicitly banned as it could be used to skirt regulations. However, the de-facto costs for IndyCar are pretty much controlled anyway given the tight specifications.
Suggested rules changes:
1. A few at the Indianapolis 500…
  1. Qualification changes:
    1. Trimmed aero, extra HP, and battery optimization for qualifying (goal: NEW TRACK RECORD)
    2. Retain the 10 mi / 4 lap qualification standard
    3. Qualifying is worth a full race worth of points; pole winner is equivalent to a race win, middle of front row worth second place, etc. Unlike a normal race, only one bonus point is available (see next).
    4. Enact the “Tom Carnegie” rule: setting a new single-lap official track record earns a bonus point, even if not during pole qualifying. Ergo, the only available bonus point from qualifying is for setting the new track record as of the end of qualifying, but the point can be earned during any of the four days of qualifying by whoever sets the record. Can even be awarded to someone who fails to make the race (because their other three laps resulted in an average speed of being 34th or worse; in which case, they’d earn exactly one point from the Indy 500 in total. If they move to another car, they'd keep the point - as it was still an official fastest lap - but they'd have to start 33rd like anyone else moving into a different car for the race.)
    5. Two weekends of qualifying (like old rules), but with the following changes based on current structure:
      1. Day 1 (first Saturday) – sets entries for the top 15, including the fast six. Every team only gets one guaranteed attempt on Day 1, but may get additional attempts if time permits. If it’s rained out, everything on the first weekend slides right 24 hours. Positions 7-15 are locked into the race in those positions.
      2. Day 2 (first Sunday) the Firestone Fast Six return for Pole Day, and can make as many attempts each as they want. While those six cars are not running a qualification attempt, any other car can practice on track.
      3. Day 3 (second Saturday) – sets 16-30, every entrant is guaranteed one run, and each team can make as many attempts as they want.
      4. Day 4 (second Sunday) is Bubble Day and sets 31-33, also with unlimited attempts, and everyone guaranteed at least one attempt.
  2. Race changes: Extra wicker and reduced horsepower during the race (goal: we want both a faster qualification than Arie Luyendyk's 237.498 in 1996, and a more exciting race than Tony Kanaan's 2013 victory featuring 68 lead changes)
2. At other races:
  1. Re-introduce standing starts at the six permanent road courses (not on ovals or street courses, and not during wet conditions) to add more variety. Use of hybrids will reduce issues previously germane to standing starts. We don't ever want another incident like the 2014 Indianapolis Grand Prix, but that shouldn't be an issue with well developed software and hybrid drivetrains.
23 race weekends (25 if you count all the time for qualifying at Indy); roughly the same as Formula 1 – with two IndyCar double-headers (Toronto, Iowa), and four double-points races (Indianapolis 500, US 500, Las Vegas 500 – the “triple crown” 500 milers, and the Long Beach Grand Prix). With Indy qualifying being worth a full points haul too (so, really, the Indy 500 is triple points, but this is INDYCAR!), means a total equivalent of 30 races worth of points, split exactly evenly between 15 oval events and 15 road course events.
1. Get over the “fear” of NFL or conflicting with NASCAR. IndyCar used to be much bigger than NASCAR and now is the time to capitalize on interest and Fox Sports investment to get back to that point.
2. Re-emphasize that these are the best and fastest drivers on the planet. That includes intentionally leaving open Daytona 500 + Daytona 24hr + Sebring 12hr weekends for teams to let drivers support those series as well, especially if the team races in those series as well.
Balanced global schedule. Oval races on five continents – Asia, Europe, Africa, and North & South America, with road/street courses in North America.
Balanced track layout. Racing at 10 ovals (three superspeedways, four ~1.5m medium speedways, three short ovals), and 13 road courses (six permanent road courses, seven street courses).
Cross-overs: pseudo double-header in Vegas with Formula 1 (F1 + Indy NXT on Strip; IndyCar + USF Pro 2000 on LVMS), actual double-headers with:
1. Formula 1 in Mexico (IndyCar is the support series, racing on Saturday)
2. NASCAR in Canada (IndyCar can race on Saturday, but would be the better race)
  - Note: A double-header with NASCAR at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve can be an ideal solution for both IndyCar and Canadian branding efforts, as promoters in Montreal can only legally use the track twice a year yet manage to squeeze in Formula 1, NASCAR, and IndyCar.
  - Also, better for IndyCar to leave NASCAR to the Brickyard 400 as an oval, and not cross-brand IndyCars with NASCAR at Indianapolis, but rather, somewhere else. The Brickyard 400 is a better event than a NASCAR Road Race at Indy which makes the NASCAR stock cars look really slow compared to IndyCar.
3. IMSA SportsCar Championship at:
  1. Long Beach
  2. Detroit
  3. Road America
4. Support series:
  1. Indy NXT and USF Pro 2000 supporting IMSA SportsCar Championship at Indy in September
  2. USF Pro 2000 supporting Formula 1 in May in Miami
  3. Indy NXT supporting NASCAR at the Charlotte Roval in October
  4. Both Indy NXT and USF Pro 2000 supporting Formula 1 at COTA in October
5. For the season finale at Las Vegas, there are further opportunities for cross-branding with Formula 1
  1. VIP experiences, etc., as they are at separate tracks at separate times (F1 on the streets on Saturday night, and IndyCar on the oval on Sunday during the day). Lots of profitability in cross-branding, sponsorship cross-reach, etc.
  2. Can also Produce behind-the-scenes shows for streaming to focus on McLaren and Andretti and get into the effort to support such a colossal effort across multiple racing series.
Two $1m bonuses:
1. Win one each of:
  1. Superspeedway (IMS, MIS, Lausitz)
  2. One medium/short oval (Phoenix, Motegi, Milwaukee, Phakisa, Iowa (2x), Goiânia, Las Vegas)
  3. One permanent road course (Laguna Seca, IMS, Road America, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Mid-Ohio, Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, COTA)
  4. One street course (St. Petersburg, Arlington, Long Beach, Detroit, Toronto (2x), Nashville)
2. Triple Crown. Win all of the following:
  1. Indianapolis 500
  2. US 500
  3. Las Vegas 500
Trophies!
1. Borg Warner retained for the Indianapolis 500
2. Astor Cup retained for the Overall Championship
3. Vanderbilt Cup awarded for the US 500 (like during the CART/IRL split, except on 4th of July weekend)
4. Given the balanced nature of points (15 points payouts on each, Ovals and Road Courses), resume the Foyt and Andretti awards, but associate with awesome new trophies aligned with sponsors and award at COTA (Andretti) and Vegas (Foyt).
5. Can also have trophy (SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY) associated with the Triple Crown. Gainbridge seems ideal.
6. No trophy for winning one each of the Superspeedway/short oval/permanent road course/street course, as theoretically there could be three winners a season.
Support series:
1. Indy NXT would have a 20 race series, mostly in support of IndyCar; exceptions:
  1. IMSA SportsCar Championship at the IMS Road Course, 18 September 2027 (round 15 of 20). IndyCar are off that week, headed to South Africa the following weekend.
  2. NASCAR in Charlotte, 9 October 2027 (round 16 of 20); IndyCar are in Brazil, and USF Pro 2000 get the week off.
  3. Formula 1 at COTA, 23 October 2027 (round 18 of 20).
  4. Indy NXT would support the following IndyCar races:
    1. Phoenix (1 of 20)
    2. Arlington (2 of 20)
    3. Laguna Seca (3 of 20)
    4. Long Beach (4 of 20)
    5. Milwaukee (5 of 20)
    6. IMS Road Course (6 of 20)
    7. IMS Oval (7 of 20)
    8. Detroit (8 of 20)
    9. Michigan (9 of 20)
    10. Toronto (10 of 20)
    11. Road America (11 of 20)
    12. Montreal (12 of 20)
    13. Iowa (13 of 20)
    14. Mid-Ohio (14 of 20)
    15. Nashville (17 of 20)
    16. COTA (19 of 20)
    17. Las Vegas (20 of 20) (on Strip, not LVMS, so technically supporting Formula 1)
  5. Indy NXT would NOT support the following IndyCar races:
    1. St. Petersburg
    2. Brazil
    3. Germany
    4. South Africa
    5. Japan
    6. Mexico
2. USF Pro 2000 would have a similar structure, with a 16 race series, also mostly in support of IndyCar, with the following exceptions:
  1. Formula 1
    1. Miami GP in early May (Saturday, 1 May 2027; round 4 of 16)
    2. COTA (Saturday, 23 October 2027; round 14 of 16)
  2. Indianapolis Raceway Park on 29 May 2027 (Saturday), the day between Carburation Day (and the Indy NXT race) at IMS and the Indianapolis 500.
  3. IMSA SportsCar Championship at the IMS Road Course, 18 September 2027 (round 12 of 16). IndyCar are in Germany that week.
  4. USF Pro 2000 would support the following IndyCar races:
    1. St. Petersburg (1 of 16)
    2. Laguna Seca (2 of 16)
    3. Long Beach (3 of 16)
    4. IMS Road Course (5 of 16)
    5. IRP Oval (supporting Indy 500) (6 of 16)
    6. Detroit (7 of 16)
    7. Toronto (8 of 16)
    8. Road America (9 of 16)
    9. Iowa (10 of 16)
    10. Mid-Ohio (11 of 16)
    11. Nashville (13 of 16)
    12. COTA (15 of 16)
    13. Las Vegas (16 of 16)
  5. USF Pro 2000 would NOT support the following IndyCar races:
    1. Phoenix
    2. Arlington
    3. Brazil
    4. Milwaukee
    5. Germany
    6. Michigan
    7. Montreal
    8. South Africa
    9. Japan
    10. Mexico
3. Indy NXT and USF Pro 2000 never leave the US/Canada, and while they never do a “double header” weekend, they’ll race at the following tracks twice:
  1. IMS Road Course (early May with IndyCar, September with IMSA SportsCar Championship)
  2. COTA (mid-October with F1, early November with IndyCar; teams can stay around Austin as there are no races for them between these two events.)
4. During the finale weekend, while USF Pro 2000 and the IndyCars are at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Indy NXT will support Formula 1 on the Street Course down the strip.
Detailed schedule:

Round 1 – MAJOR PROMOTION

Phoenix Indy 300

Dates: 20-21 February, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Phoenix Raceway (1 mi)
Capacity: 42,000
Laps / Distance: 300 / 300mi (483km)
Existing Track Record: 183.559 mph (295.41 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 4,948,203
Region: Phoenix Metro, Southwest
Average Temperature: 44°F to 82°F
Aligned races: Indy NXT (1 of 20), (no USF Pro 2000)
Events Same Weekend: NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Atlanta 400)
Notes: Season opener; possibly co-brand with Copper World Classic?

Round 2 (following weekend):

Streets of St. Petersburg

Dates: 26-28 February, 2026 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Downtown St. Petersburg (1.8 mi)
Capacity: ~250,000 over three days
Laps / Distance: 110 / 200mi (322km)
Existing Track Record: 106.841 mph (177.944 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 3,175,275
Region: Tampa Metro, Southeast
Average Temperature: 59°F to 78°F
Aligned races: USF Pro 2000 (1 of 16), (no Indy NXT)
Events same weekend: NASCAR (TBD; Likely: COTA)
Notes: Strong venue, opening road race.

Round 3 (two weeks later):

Arlington Grand Prix

Dates: 12-14 March, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Arlington Street Circuit (2.73 mi)
Capacity: Unknown
Laps / Distance: TBD
Existing Track Record: N/A
Metropolitan Area Population: 8,121,108
Region: Dallas/Fort Worth Metro, Texas
Average Temperature: 50°F to 72°F
Aligned races: Indy NXT (2 of 20), (no USF Pro 2000)
Events same weekend: Formula 1 (TBD; Likely: Chinese Grand Prix); NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Las Vegas 400)
Notes: Second year at new event

Also between rounds 3 & 4, 12 Hours of Sebring takes place. All drivers from IndyCar would theoretically be available for both the 24 Hours of Daytona (four weeks prior to season start) and the 12 Hours of Sebring, as well as the Daytona 500 (a week prior to season start)

Round 4 (two weeks later):

Brazilian 500k

Dates: 26-28 March, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna (Goiânia) (1.67 mi)
Capacity: ~100,000
Laps / Distance: 193 / 311mi (500km)
Existing Track Record: N/A
Metropolitan Area Population: 2,206,734
Region: Goiânia, Brazil, South America
Average Temperature: 69°F to 87°F
Aligned races: In Brazil – TBD. NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race?
Events same weekend: Formula 1 (TBD; Likely: Japanese Grand Prix); NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Martinsville 400); FIA World Endurance Championship (TBD; Likely: Qatar 1812km)
Notes: Lots of crossover opportunity.

Round 5 (two weeks later):

Monterey Grand Prix

Dates: 9-11 April, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Laguna Seca (2.238 mi)
Capacity: 70,000+
Laps / Distance: 90 / 200mi (322km)
Existing Track Record: 122.295 mph (196.815 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 7,753,000
Region: Monterey Metro, California Bay Area
Average Temperature: 47°F to 64°F
Aligned races: Indy NXT (3 of 20), USF Pro 2000 (2 of 16)
Events same weekend: Formula 1 (TBD; Likely: Bahrain GP, w/F2); NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Bristol 500)
Notes: First standing start of the season; history worthy of promotion

Round 6 (following weekend) – MAJOR PROMOTION

Long Beach Grand Prix

Dates: 16-18 April, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Streets of Long Beach (1.968 mi)
Capacity: ~192,000 over three days
Laps / Distance: 300 / 300mi (483km)
Existing Track Record: 106.331 mph (171.123 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 12,870,000
Region: Los Angeles Metroplex, Southern California
Average Temperature: 55°F to 73°F
Aligned races: IMSA SportsCar Championship (100 Minutes of Long Beach), Indy NXT (4 of 20), USF Pro 2000 (3 of 16)
Events same weekend: Formula 1 (TBD; Likely: Saudi Arabian GP, w/F2); FIA World Endurance Championship (TBD; Likely: 6 Hours of Imola); IMSA SportsCar Championship (100 Minutes of Long Beach, co-located on site)
Notes: Largest US metro served by any racing, long history (50+ years!); Double Points.

Round 7 (two weeks later):

Milwaukee 300

Dates: 30 April-2 May, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Milwaukee Mile (1 mi)
Capacity: ~37,000
Laps / Distance: 300 / 300mi (483km)
Existing Track Record: 185.5 mph (298.533 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 1,574,731
Region: Milwaukee Metro, Mid-West
Average Temperature: 39°F to 50°F
Aligned races: Indy NXT (5 of 20) --- USF Pro 2000 @ Miami with Formula 1 (4 of 16)
Events same weekend: Formula 1 (TBD; Likely: Miami GP); NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Texas 400); FIA Formula E (TBD; Likely: Berlin ePrix); IMSA SportsCar Championship (TBD; Likely: Laguna Seca)
Notes: oldest operating racetrack. Kicks off six straight weeks of racing, but all in the Mid-West and near Indy, making life much easier for the teams despite the schedule congestion.

Round 8 (following weekend):

Indianapolis Grand Prix

Dates: 6-8 May, 2027 (Thu-Sat)
Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course (2.621 mi)
Capacity: 250,000+
Laps / Distance: 82 / 200mi (322km)
Existing Track Record: 124.711 mph (200.703 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 1,881,000
Region: Indianapolis Metro, Mid-West
Average Temperature: 52°F to 73°F
Aligned races: Indy NXT (6 of 20), USF Pro 2000 (5 of 16)
Events same weekend: NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Kansas 400); FIA World Endurance Championship (TBD; Likely: 6hrs of Spa)
Notes: Return to Indy!

Round 9 (all of the next three weekends) – MAJOR PROMOTION

The 109th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race

Dates: 10-30 May, 2027 (Tue-Sun + two weeks)
Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2.5 mi)
Capacity: 400,000+
Laps / Distance: 200 / 500mi (805km) (Qual: 4 / 10 (16.1km))
Existing Track Record: 239.26 mph (385.052 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 1,881,000
Region: Indianapolis Metro, Mid-West
Average Temperature: 52°F to 73°F
Aligned races: Indy NXT (7 of 20), USF Pro 2000 (6 of 16 – at Indianapolis Raceway Park)
Events same weekend: NASCAR (Coca-Cola 600)
Notes: See numerous notes above regarding rules changes proposed. Qualifying worth full points, plus double points race.

Round 10 (following weekend):

Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix

Dates: 4-6 June, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Detroit Street Circuit (1.645 mi)
Capacity: ~150,000 over three days
Laps / Distance: 100 / 164.5mi (265km)
Existing Track Record: 95.730 mph (154.063 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 6,191,000
Region: Detroit Metro, Mid-West
Average Temperature: 60°F to 74°F
Aligned races: IMSA SportsCar Championship (Detroit Sprint Cup), Indy NXT (8 of 20), USF Pro 2000 (7 of 16)
Events same weekend: Formula 1 (TBD; Likely: Monaco GP, w/F2); NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Nashville 400); IMSA SportsCar Championship (Detroit Sprint Cup, co-located on site)
Notes: Double header with IMSA SportsCar Championship.

Round 11 (two weeks later):

German 500k

Dates: 18-20 June, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: EuroSpeedway Lausitz (2.023 mi)
Capacity: 120,000
Laps / Distance: 154 / 311mi (500km)
Existing Track Record: 210.364 mph (338.548 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 6,144,600
Region: Brandenburg/Berlin Metro, Europe
Average Temperature: 52°F to 72°F
Events same weekend: NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Mexico GP)
Notes: Amazing promotion opportunity.
Aligned races: In Germany – TBD. German Touring Car? NASCAR Whelen Euro Series?

Round 12 (two weeks later) – MAJOR PROMOTION

US 500

Dates: 2-4 July, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Michigan International Speedway (2 mi)
Capacity: 137,243
Laps / Distance: 250 / 500mi (805km)
Existing Track Record: 234.949 mph (378.114 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 6,191,000
Region: Detroit Metro (roughly), Mid-West
Average Temperature: 66°F to 83°F
Aligned races: Indy NXT (9 of 16), (no USF Pro 2000)
Events same weekend: Formula 1 (TBD; Likely: British Grand Prix, w/F2), NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Chicago GP); Formula E (TBD; Likely: Shanghai ePrix)
Notes: Double points, Vanderbilt Cup Awarded; Triple Crown Race.

Round 13 (two weeks later)

Toronto Doubleheader

Dates: 16-18 July, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Exhibition Place (1.755 mi)
Capacity: ~50,000 over three days
Laps / Distance (each): 85 / 150mi (240km)
Existing Track Record: 109.34 mph (175.966 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 6,700,000
Region: Toronto Metro, Canada
Average Temperature: 64°F to 80°F
Aligned races: Indy NXT (10 of 20), USF Pro 2000 (8 of 16)
Events same weekend: Formula 1 (TBD; Likely: Belgian GP, w/F2); NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Sonoma)
Notes: Double-header, great promotion.

Round 14 (two weeks later):

Road America

Dates: 30 July-1 August, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Road America (4.048 mi)
Capacity: ~150,000
Laps / Distance: 50 / 202.4mi (325.73km)
Existing Track Record: 144.290 mph (232.200 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 1,574,731
Region: Milwaukee Metro (roughly), Mid-West
Average Temperature: 66°F to 76°F
Aligned races: IMSA SportsCar Championship (Road America Sprint Cup), Indy NXT (11 of 20), USF Pro 2000 (9 of 16)
Events same weekend: IMSA Sports Car Championship (Road America Sprint Cup, co-located on site); NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Brickyard 400)
Notes: Classic venue, amazing track. Deconflict TV with NASCAR as its at IMS. Of note, this may be replaced with Portland due to the over-saturation of the Mid-West region and lack of Pacific Northwest tracks.

Round 15 (two weeks later):

Montreal 300k

Dates: 13-14 August, 2027 (Fri-Sat)
Track: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (2.71 mi)
Capacity: 100,000
Laps / Distance: 69 / 187mi (301km)
Existing Track Record: 144.290 mph (232.200 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 4,615,154
Region: Montreal Metro, Canada
Average Temperature: 66°F to 76°F
Aligned races: NASCAR Cup Series Round 24, Indy NXT (12 of 20), (no USF Pro 2000)
Events same weekend: NASCAR (Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, co-located on site); Formula E (TBD; Likely: London ePrix)
Notes: Double header with NASCAR

Round 16 (two weeks later)

Hy-Vee Iowa Doubleheader

Dates: 27-29 August, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Iowa Speedway (0.875 mi)
Capacity: 30,000
Laps / Distance (each): 250 / 218.75mi (352.188km)
Existing Track Record: 186.81 mph (300.642 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 566,000
Region: Des Moines Metro, Mid-West
Average Temperature: 64°F to 84°F
Aligned races: Indy NXT (13 of 20), USF Pro 2000 (10 of 16)
Events same weekend: NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Darlington 500; Playoffs Round of 16, race 1 of 3),
Notes: Amazing promotion if they bring back the music; it was WEAK in 2025 without the concerts

Round 17 (following weekend):

Honda Grand Prix of Ohio

Dates: 3-5 September, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (2.4 mi)
Capacity: ~75,000
Laps / Distance: 90 / 200mi (322km)
Existing Track Record: 125.870 mph (202.568 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: ~4,000,000
Region: Cleveland/Columbus Metro, Mid-West
Average Temperature: 58°F to 81°F
Notes: Classic venue
Aligned races: Indy NXT (14 of 20), USF Pro 2000 (11 of 16)
Events same weekend: Formula 1 (TBD; Likely: Italian Grand Prix, w/F2); NFL season (Week 1); NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Kansas 400; Playoffs Round of 16, race 2 of 3); FIA World Endurance Championship (TBD; Likely: Lone Star Le Mans @ COTA)

Round 18 (two weeks later):

South African 500k

Dates: 17-19 September, 2027 (Fri-Sun) – Night race on Sunday
Track: Phakisa Freeway (1.5 mi)
Capacity: 60,000
Laps / Distance: 207 / 310.5mi (500km)
Existing Track Record: N/A
Metropolitan Area Population: 63,743; Bloemfontein + Johannesburg = 11,741,431
Region: Between Bloemfontein & Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa
Average Temperature: 48°F to 82°F
Aligned races: None in Africa; Indy NXT (15 of 20) and USF Pro 2000 (12 of 16) at IMS with IMSA SportsCar Championship.
Events same weekend: NFL season (Week 3)
Notes: Not even Formula 1 goes to Africa. Immense marketing opportunity.

Round 19 (two weeks later):

Tokyo 500k

Dates: 30 September-2 October, 2027 (Thu-Sat)
Track: Twin Ring Motegi (1.549 mi)
Capacity: 68,156
Laps / Distance: 201 / 311mi (500km)
Existing Track Record: 211.027 mph (339.615 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 37,194,000
Region: Tokyo Metro, Japan
Average Temperature: 63°F to 70°F
Aligned races: Formula Nippon? Super GT? (no Indy NXT or USF Pro 2000 in Japan)
Events same weekend: NFL season (Week 5); NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Kansas City 400; Playoffs Round of 12, race 2 of 3); IMSA SportsCar Championship (TBD; Likely: Petit Le Mans 10 Hour, Series Finale)
Notes: Return to Japan!

Between Rounds 19 & 20, Indy NXT (16 of 20) to support NASCAR @ Charlotte Roval (9 October 2027)

Round 20 (two weeks later) – MAJOR PROMOTION

Music City Grand Prix

Dates: 15-17 October, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Nashville Street Circuit (2.17 mi)
Capacity: 150,000
Laps / Distance: 80 / 173.6mi (279.5km)
Existing Track Record: 103.13 mph (165.97 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 2,072,283
Region: Nashville Metro, Southeast
Average Temperature: 40°F to 61°F
Aligned races: Indy NXT (17 of 20), USF Pro 2000 (13 of 16)
Events same weekend: NFL Season (Week 7)
Notes: Amazing track.

Between Rounds 20 & 21, Indy NXT (19 of 20) and USF Pro 2000 (14 of 16) to support Formula 1 @ COTA on 23 October, 2027. Teams can stay at COTA for testing/basing as they’ll race there again in two weeks.

Round 21 (two weeks later): - MAJOR PROMOTION

Mexican Super Grand Prix

Dates: 29-30 October, 2027 (Fri-Sat)
Track: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez (2.786 mi)
Capacity: ~400,000
Laps / Distance: 74 / 206.16 (331.79km)
Existing Track Record: 118.395 mph (190.616 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 21,919,000
Region: Mexico City, Mexico
Average Temperature: 49°F to 75°F
Aligned races: N/A
Events same weekend: NFL Season (Week 9); Formula 1 (Mexican Grand Prix, co-located on site); NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Martinsville 500; Playoffs, Round of 8, race 3 of 3)
Notes: Amazing promotion, even though the IndyCars are actually the supporting series.

Round 22 (following weekend) – MAJOR PROMOTION

Grand Prix of the Americas

Dates: 5-7 November, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Circuit of the Americas (2.786 mi)
Capacity: 150,000
Laps / Distance: 60 / 204.6mi (329.3km)
Existing Track Record: 116.96 mph (188.229 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 5,022,903
Region: Austin/San Antonio Metro, South-Central Texas
Average Temperature: 50°F to 71°F
Aligned races: Indy NXT (19 of 20), USF Pro 2000 (15 of 16)
Events same weekend: Formula 1 (TBD; Likely: Brazilian GP); NFL Season (Week 10); NASCAR (TBD; Likely: Homestead-Miami; Season Finale); FIA World Endurance Championship (TBD; Likely: 8hrs of Bahrain)
Notes: Amazing track; Indy NXT and USF Pro 2000 consecutive racing on the same track.

Round 23 (following weekend) – MAJOR PROMOTION

Las Vegas 500

Dates: 19-21 November, 2027 (Fri-Sun)
Track: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (1.5 mi)
Capacity: 80,000
Laps / Distance: 333 / 500mi (804km)
Existing Track Record: 226.491 mph (364.502 km/h)
Metropolitan Area Population: 2,699,000
Region: Las Vegas Metro, Southwest
Average Temperature: 35°F to 70°F
Events same weekend: NFL Season (Week 12), Formula 1 (Las Vegas Grand Prix, pseudo co-located)
Aligned races: Indy NXT (20 of 20) – on Streets of Las Vegas, USF Pro 2000 (16 of 16)
Notes: Double points. Season finale, at Las Vegas same time as Formula 1 on the streets. Astor Cup awarded for Championship. Major branding opportunities with both series in the city but not rivaling each other (and that the IndyCars are going significantly faster than the F1 speeds are down the strip).

The Problem: The Nine-Figure Logistical Nightmare
1. Moving 27 cars, tons of equipment, and hundreds of personnel across four continents is a monumental undertaking. The sheer cost of freight and the complexity of customs could bankrupt teams before the first international green flag waves.
2. The Teams: Face a crippling budget increase of potentially $750,000 or more just for freight, let alone personnel travel. This is a non-starter for at least half the grid.
3. The Series: Is faced with either watching its teams fold or creating a massive, unsustainable subsidy program to cover the travel costs, draining resources from other growth initiatives.
4. THE ARCHITECTED SOLUTION: The Logistics Partner as the "Silver Bullet." The series must move beyond a simple cash sponsorship and create a top-tier, Value-in-Kind (VIK) partnership with a global logistics giant.
5. The Partner: A company like DHL (who has a long, successful history with Formula 1 and both Andretti and Ganassi Racing in IndyCar) or FedEx (a former CART series sponsor; UPS could also enter the arena).
6. The Deal: In exchange for the title of "Official Logistics Partner of the IndyCar Global Series," the partner would manage and cover the cost of all international freight for the teams. This becomes their primary marketing story: precision, speed, and reliability showcased on a global stage. Further, both FOX Sports and potential "behind the scenes" streaming show partners can highlight this heavy lift.
7. The Impact: This single partnership is worth an estimated $15-$25 million annually in saved costs for the teams. It single-handedly solves the biggest financial hurdle for the paddock and makes global travel viable for everyone, not just the powerhouse teams.
The Problem: The Promoter’s Predicament
1. How can track owners in Germany, South Africa, or Brazil justify paying a multi-million dollar sanctioning fee to IndyCar, let alone fund the tens of millions in safety upgrades required to bring a dormant oval up to modern standards? The track owners & promoters stare down the barrel of a massive financial risk. Fan enthusiasm from 20 years ago doesn’t guarantee a profitable event today, and a full-oval SAFER barrier installation can cost upwards of $5 million alone.
2. THE ARCHITECTED SOLUTION: The Regional Event Partnership Model. For this to work, each international event needs a major regional corporate partner to underwrite the costs in exchange for exposure to the American market that is further emphasized by FOX with their investment in IndyCar.
3. The Pitch: With every race broadcast on network FOX in the United States, a German company can advertise directly to a massive American audience by sponsoring the race in their backyard. The event becomes a 3-hour commercial for their brand.
4. Plausible Partnerships:
  1. Germany: The "SAP German 500k" or "Siemens 500k" at Lausitzring. The sponsor's investment covers the sanctioning fee and funds the necessary SAFER barrier upgrades.
  2. Brazil: The "Embraer Brazilian 500k" or "Petrobras 500k" at Goiânia. Covers similar costs. Additionally, Brazilian ethanol seeking entry into US energy markets as "renewable fuel," even with its carbon footprint is etching away at traditional gasoline.
  3. South Africa: The "Sasol South African 500k" at Phakisa Freeway, leveraging a major national brand to fund the required facility refurbishment. Admittedly, this is the longest pole in the tent, but also the one where fan turnout is a massive new market, making series subsidization likely.
  4. Japan: The easiest lift. The "Honda Tokyo 500k" at Twin Ring Motegi. The Honda-owned facility is likely the most race-ready of the ovals and would require the least investment. Other massive Japanese brands like Sony and Panasonic would also be viable co-sponsors.
The Problem: The Sponsorship Value Proposition
1. A bigger schedule demands bigger checks. How does the series convince its existing partners to invest more while attracting the new, global-caliber sponsors needed to fund this vision?
2. The Teams: Need to prove to their sponsors (like Gainbridge for Colton Herta or PNC Bank for Scott Dixon) that a race in Japan provides a real return on investment. Ratings increases for this series are highly likely given aggressive enough marketing from FOX.
3. The Series: Must elevate its entire commercial platform. The current NTT series sponsorship, valued at ~$10 million annually, is a fantastic deal, but it’s not enough to power a global series.
4. THE ARCHITECTED SOLUTIONS
5. The FOX Sports "Game Changer." The new, exclusive media rights deal with FOX starting in 2025 is the foundation for all future growth. It provides a simple, powerful value proposition: every race, live on network television. No more explaining cable packages or streaming apps. This consistency makes IndyCar a more valuable and predictable platform, justifying higher sponsorship fees across the board.
6. A New Global Title Sponsor. NTT's contract is set to expire after the 2026 season, perfectly timed for this global launch. The series must target a true global consumer or B2B brand.
  1. The Pitch: "We are the only premier open-wheel series with a 100% network TV footprint in the massive US market, now paired with a compelling global calendar. We offer a more cost-effective entry point to a global audience than Formula 1."
  2. The Targets: A global tech company like Apple, Google, or Salesforce, or a financial giant like American Express or Visa.
  3. The Value: The asking price for this new partnership could realistically target $20-$30 million per year, with that revenue used to fuel the series' growth and increase team payouts.
7. Bolstering the Leaders Circle. We must highlight the foundational program that keeps the grid healthy. The Leaders Circle program provides a guaranteed payout (currently ~$1 million) to the top 22 teams in entrant points that commit to running the full season. This isn't a bonus; it's the bedrock of a team's budget. By increasing the overall sponsorship revenue, the series can increase this payout, ensuring that every full-time team can afford the personnel and resources a global schedule demands.
The Problem: Filling the Gaps
1. Not every race on the proposed 2027 calendar has a guaranteed partner. What’s the plan for the un-sponsored new and returning events?
2. The Promoters & Series: Need to secure entitlement sponsors to ensure the financial viability of key domestic anchor events.
3. THE ARCHITECTED SOLUTION: Leveraging Regional Strength and OEM Power.
  1. Michigan International Speedway: The return of the "US 500" is a centerpiece of this schedule. With Chevrolet sponsoring the Detroit street race and Honda backing races at Mid-Ohio, Barber, and Long Beach, the clear partner is Ford. The "US 500 Powered by Ford" at their home track, just an hour from Dearborn, is a natural fit, especially if Ford-Cosworth return to IndyCar coinciding with their return to Formula 1 with Red Bull. Alternatively, a major Michigan-based brand like Rocket Mortgage or Meijer could step in.

I think I've written solutions that make the track owners and promoters and sponsors money, increase the scope of IndyCar, thrust it far beyond Formula 2 and highlight that these are the most "complete" drivers in the world. As Jacques Villeneuve - a CART/IndyCar/Indy 500 Champion and a Formula 1 world champion noted, another man like him, Mario Andretti, is arguably the greatest World Champion of all time. This is the way to increase IndyCar and make it more profitable for all of the associated stakeholders.

I'm aware this is a new set of burdens on teams; increasing the schedule much later into the year. This will also impact testing, and I'm open to ideas on that. My assumption is possibly some extra time (an earlier day or two) at the overseas tracks, plus partnering with a major game studio like Electronic Arts or Microsoft to subsidize the building of Formula 1 quality simulators for each team, and use that for enhancing testing. If a second (and possibly third) tire manufacturer can be convinced to join the series, that will increase testing days at less expense to teams as well.

Given the Winner's Circle, the Fox Sports investment, the growth of tech firms that are willing to sponsor, the growth of Formula 1 and the stagnation of NASCAR, this is a prime opportunity to fulfill what CART/IndyCar could have been without the disastrous Civil War in the mid-1990s.

So like... Someone, make this happen. Show the best drivers in the world on a stage worthy of them.