From 2026, the IndyCar series will establish a new, independent officiating system, operating as a not-for-profit organization (INDYCAR Officiating Inc.) and governed by a three-person board, the Independent Officiating Board (IOB).
INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles outlined: “We have remained committed to independent officiating for 2026, and we are pleased to announce this next step.
“The INDYCAR team owners and the FIA have selected a world-class board with high character, incredible knowledge, and an intense passion for motorsports and INDYCAR racing.”
According to the official press release, the board members were independently selected this week. Two of them were chosen by the INDYCAR team owners’ vote, who are charter members, and the other member was appointed by the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
“INDYCAR is an American icon, and I am proud of the relationship we are building together,” commented FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
“The FIA’s independent expertise in delivering consistent officiating oversight across our World Championships, combined with INDYCAR’s innovation and competitive spirit, will support the continued growth of the series. I look forward to the work ahead of us.”
The FIA’s role in the initiative is limited to the appointment of its board member.
The three board members are Ray Evernham, Raj Nair, and Ronan Morgan.
Evernham is a motorsport veteran whose expertise led him to pioneer Dodge’s return to NASCAR as owner of Evernham Motorsports.Over the years, he became a television analyst, producer, and consultant.
With over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, Nair was responsible for all Ford Motorsports programs, including NASCAR, IMSA, and FIA WEC, as the chief technical officer and executive vice president of Ford’s global product development (2012-17).
Meanwhile, Morgan is president of the FIA Drivers Commission, a member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council, and advisor to the FIA President.
The former co-rally driver also served as the chairman of stewards for more than 100 international races and rally events.
Together, they will be responsible for appointing a Managing Director of Officiating (MDO) to oversee all race control and technical inspection for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone.
In that regard, IndyCar remarks, “the managing director will report directly to the independent board with no oversight from INDYCAR or Penske Entertainment officials.”
“This was a thorough process, and I am confident in the independent officiating board that has been elected by the team ownership in our sport. I look forward to their guidance as they take the next step of hiring a managing director,” asserted Chip Ganassi, Chip Ganassi Racing Owner.
The MDO will be charged with full officiating oversight, including the hiring of personnel for race control and INDYCAR technical inspection.
Also being responsible for enforcing the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT rulebooks as written by INDYCAR.
The new managing director’s name will be revealed early in 2026, ahead of the start of the new season later in March.
In addition, the FIA World Motor Sport Council announced on Wednesday its decision to allocate more superlicence points, upgrading the system to those competing in the U.S.-based open-wheel series from 2026 onwards.
The long-awaited rule upgrade will make the path to Formula 1 easier for those drivers willing to compete in the series.