NXG’s GUIDE TO INDYCAR
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The exciting sport of racing dates back to footraces, horses and chariots. By comparison, motorized racing, or motorsports, came into existence just over a century ago. The more you know about motorsports, the more you’ll enjoy the action you watch. Created by NXG Youth Motorsports, the NXG’s Guide to INDYCAR helps you get up to speed, even if you’ve never watched or attended an INDYCAR or INDY NXT race before.
AUTO RACING HISTORY
Speed is a human obsession. Before engines existed, racers relied on animals and to this day, we measure engine performance in horsepower. Motorized racing began as soon as internal combustion engines became more than a curiosity. Rich car makers and drivers showed off the speed and demonstrated the reliability of their vehicles. Gradually, organized racing took hold, often beginning on horse tracks and ocean beaches.
Road racing became popular in the early 20th century. Motorsports halted with World Wars and resumed vigorously in the 1950s. A new generation of young adults grew up on fast production cars and took that fascination with speed to the track.
But the very nature of competitive racing equates it with money, and the lack of funds has kept many a promising racer off the track. Societal prejudices also have limited opportunities in motorsports. Historically, virtually all drivers were white and male, and competitive segregation kept prominent Black drivers out of top-level mainstream series and events. Women weren't even encouraged to drive, let alone race, for many years.
Major racing series have instigated diversity efforts to make the driving ranks look more like society at large. Those same efforts aim to widen the appeal of motorsports beyond its traditional audiences. Although racing never will be an inexpensive sport to enter, the wide range of racing series and levels can give a good driver broader opportunities in motorsports to compete.
GOLD & GLORY SWEEPSTAKES
Charles Wiggins won the Indianapolis race in the Gold & Glory Sweepstakes four times (1926, 1931, 1932, 1933).
1876
England: First prearranged race between steam-powered cars
1878
Wisconsin: First U.S. motor race
1895
Illinois: First U.S. automobile race, 54 miles
1908
Italy: First Italian Grand Prix
1911-Indianapolis Motor Speedway
1963
Wendell Sco became the rst Black driver to win a NASCAR race
1965
United States: First televised INDYCAR race
1977
Indianapolis: Janet Guthrie becomes the rst female IndyCar driver
2023
1954
United States: First GoKarts developed using surplus lawn mower engines
1909
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) opens
1911
1959
First stock car Daytona 500: average speed 135.521 mph
Myles Rowe wins the USF Pro 2000 Championship, becoming the rst Black driver to win an INDYCAR development series
1923
France: First 24 Hours of Le Mans
Ray Harroun wins rst Indianapolis 500 on a newly paved brick track: average speed 74.602 mph
United States: Colored Speedway Association (CSA) launches the Gold & Glory Sweepstakes race for Black drivers and mechanics
1991
1930s
United States: First midget-car racing
Willy T. Ribbs becomes the rst Black driver to compete in the Indianapolis 500
1929
First Grand Prix of Monaco
2020
Aeroscreen was developed for driver protection
2019
Indianapolis: Hulman & Company sells IMS and INDYCAR to Penske Corporation
AUTO RACING
CAR TYPES AT A GLANCE
Photo: Forza
Fandom, Hyundai Motorsport, Salecinask, Corvsport, McLaren, Petronas, NHRA,
Every weekend, racers take to the track somewhere around the world. We race everything from semis to go-karts and even lawn mowers. Racing rules specify vehicle size, shape, weight, fuel, engine, suspension, safety equipment and more. This is a small representation of the many car types throughout motorsports racing.
SPORTS CAR
INDYCAR
STOCK TRUCK
TOP FUEL
STOCK CAR
FUNNY CAR
FORMULA 1
PROTOTYPE
ADVERTISING BUSINESS INSIGHT
A famous chain of pizza restaurants sponsored a car that carried number 30 to re ect its 30-minute delivery promise.
First and foremost, racing is a business that runs on advertiser dollars. In every form of motorsports, drivers and vehicles alike wear their sponsors' brands on driving suits and car designs. The larger the logo, the bigger the sponsor investment, all the way up to the name of a team and even the name of the series itself.
The sanctioning bodies that establish motorsports series are big businesses, too. Many become as well known as the events they field. Their names—INDYCAR, F1, IMSA, NASCAR, NHRA—are instantly recognizable even to people who might never have attended a race or watched a race telecast.
Broadcasters and streaming services feature virtually every form of racing for a global audience.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, IndyCar
Racing is an entertainment business. At the INDYCAR level, teams compete in highly visible events with hundreds of thousands of in-person attendees and millions of TV viewers. The combined viewership of all racing telecasts exceeds any global sport except soccer. Some of these events, including the Indianapolis 500, sell out their available tickets for the next year's race once the current year's event ends. Generations of families travel together to enjoy these annual events, building traditions and memories.
Average Viewership For Major Racing Series (2021-2022)
Poll Conducted by Sports Media Watch 6.12.2022
Finally, racing is a personality business. Individual drivers and teams achieve celebrity status—and some team owners are celebrities in their own right. Drivers serve as team ambassadors, and make appearances at media gatherings and sponsor events. Car numbers function as much more than mere on-track identifiers. Many teams choose numbers that honor past racers or that highlight some aspect of their sponsors’ product or service.
In short, every aspect of racing runs on money, generates money, and attracts big audiences.
Motorsports Popularity Among U.S. Adults 18+
Poll Conducted by Morning Consult 02.23.2020 INDYCAR Formula
In some series, teams become so identi ed with their car numbers that they become the equivalent of player numbers in other sports.
INDYCAR
LADDER SYSTEM
Top speed: 240+ mph
Weight: 1700 lbs
Length: 201.7"
Width: 75.5” min
Wheel: 15"
Chassis: Dallara IR-12
Engine: HI24e Indy V-6/ INDYCAR V6
Horsepower: 500-700
Fuel Cell: 18.5 gal
Top speed: 200 mph
Weight: 1420 lbs
Length: 196" (avg)
Width: 63"
Wheel: 15"
Chassis: Dallara IL-15
Engine: AER-P63 Turbo Charged
Horsepower: 450-500
Fuel Cell: 19 gal
Top speed: 165 mph
Weight: 1145 lbs
Length: 108"
Width: 61"
Wheel: 13"
USF 2000 & JUNIORS
Top speed: 135-145 mph
Weight: 1100 lbs
Length: 108"
Width: 61"
Wheel: 13"
Chassis: Tatuus IP22
Engine: Elite Engine MZR 2.0 liter Horsepower: 275
Chassis: Tatuus IP22 / JR23
Engine: Elite Engine MZR 2.0 liter
Horsepower: 175
Just as athletes begin playing youth football and move on to high school and college competition before they reach the elite professional ranks, drivers and teams work their way up through "feeder series" that gradually advance in engine size, car dynamics, speed, and competitiveness.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
DALLARA
DALLARA ROAD COURSE CAR
INDYCAR FEATURES
All race cars use some of the same performance and safety features. They may look different on different types of cars, but they provide the same benefits everywhere you see them.
ENGINE
INDYCAR uses 2.2-litre 700 hp twin-turbocharged V6 engines from Chevrolet and Honda.
TIRES
Motorsports uses treadless slicks for fair-weather racing and treaded tires for those series that run in the rain. Sidewall stripes identify three types of Firestone INDYCAR tires.
BLACK A competitive balance among speed, cornering, and durability. These primary tires are used on oval tracks, street and road courses.
RED Alternate tires made from a softer compound that wears out more quickly but allows for faster speeds and better cornering. Used only on road and street courses.
GRAY Grooved tread pattern improves grip and control in the rain, and helps prevent hydroplaning. Used only on road and street courses. (IndyCar does not race on oval tracks in wet conditions.)
COCKPIT/TUB
The interior of the race car that holds the driver.
STEERING WHEEL
HARNESS
Much more than a seatbelt, these harnesses go over each shoulder, across the lap, and over the thighs.
An individualized steering mechanism built for the specific car and driver, with multiple readouts to provide feedback on car performance.
Cosworth
DRIVERS
The greatest race car drivers share the will to win and the training to achieve their goals.
What makes a great driver? Talent, physical gifts, and abundant dedication. Talent includes the ability to understand and learn about cars and the sport, and to contribute actionable feedback. Drivers need an ambitious desire and will to win—and a complete commitment to training and improvement.
Racing demands great depth perception, reflexes, hand/eye coordination, and alertness, along with the elite fitness to withstand high heat, long runs, and high G forces (force of gravity). The right perspective also pays off. Drivers must collaborate with their team and interact well with sponsors and the media. They also must learn from every race—win or lose—and not dwell too much on either victory or defeat.
The ability to win draws on a long list of strengths, heightened through practice and personal development.
ESSENTIAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT
HELMET
Provides ventilated protection from impact and debris.
HANS DEVICE
Head and neck system, a safety device designed to limit brain injury.
GLOVES
Fire-resistant grip support and reduction fatigue.
NOMEX®
Close- ing garments worn under the helmet and racing suit.
RACING SUIT
Fire-resistant outer jumpsuit-style garment.
BOOTS
Designed for comfort and pedal-feel sensitivity.
TEAM
ORGANIZATION
Like any business organization, a race team involves many levels and types of management, operations, and effort. Team size determines leadership structure to a great extent, but the following roles are typical of most teams.
OWNER/PRINCIPAL
Overall team leadership with a nancial stake in the team.
CREW CHIEF
Manages race strategy, pit crew members, driver communications, and any necessary damage control in the event of a crash or mechanical problem.
MANAGER
Responsible for the day-to-day operations of team facilities and the team's on-track progress.
ENGINEER
Deals with the set-up, data and performance of the vehicle – from design and testing, through to qualifying and race day.
Individuals who work in the shop and at the race track to assemble and disassemble race cars and prepare them for the race weekend. The mechanic must be versatile to work on all aspects of a race car. MECHANICS
Race teams have plenty of room for people who don't drive, design, or service a car. Whether you're a whiz at social media or marketing in general, or you have a knack for logistics or sponsor sales, you can be part of one of the fastest sports on the planet.
PIT CREW
Several people make up the pit crew. They are responsible for stabilizing the race car, changing the tires, fueling, making adjustments to the aerodynamics, and safely releasing the car on the track and other “over the wall” duties.
PUBLICITY & MARKETING
Handles social media, public relations, merchandising, and sponsor relationships.
TRACKS
The INDYCAR series races on three types of tracks defined by their layouts and their locations.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway has both an oval course and road course.
STREET COURSE
A temporary track is set up on city streets or decommissioned airport runways
DETROIT
LONG BEACH
ST. PETERSBURG
TORONTO
OVAL COURSE ROAD COURSE
OVAL/CIRCLE TRACK
An oval track is elliptical, with four corners or turns that require speed changes
NASHVILLE SUPER SPEEDWAY
GATEWAY MOTORSPORTS PARK
IOWA SPEEDWAY
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
ROAD COURSE
A permanent track set up like a rambling roadway has ample changes of elevation and many turns
INDIANAPOLIS ROAD COURSE
LAGUNA SECA
RACE CONTROL
Race Control is where all facets of race organization come together to provide a safe, competitive and timely event. The Race Control staff utilizes a variety of video and audio monitoring, electronic data and direct communication with teams and race officials to oversee all aspects of the competition. Race Control reviews activities and equipment to ensure a result that gives all competitors a fair opportunity to succeed.
The race director and the race stewards decide whether to review an on-track incident and whether to levy penalties against a driver or team.
INDYCAR FLAG SYSTEM
GREEN
Start: The start of a race, practice session or qualifying a empt and safe to proceed at any speed.
CHECKERED
Finish: The end of the race, practice session or qualifying a empt.
YELLOW
Caution: The track is not safe for racing speeds.
WHITE
Last Lap: One lap remains in a race or qualifying a empt.
BLACK
Consultation: The driver should proceed immediately to the pit area for consultation with o cials.
BLUE
Passing: Signals a driver that a faster car is a empting to pass.
RED
Stop: The track is not safe to proceed at any speed.
YELLOW AND RED STRIPE
Surface: Oil, water or some other substance has made the track surface slippery.
To alert drivers of any unusual condition or potential danger for example, on-track debris from a damaged car—Race Control deploys a system of signal lights and flags. Permanent tracks feature built-in signal lights. Track workers wave colored flags to highlight problems.
RACE CONTROL
Race Control monitors the speed, position, and performance of the entire field throughout a race. With cameras and sensors on the track and in the cars, Timing & Scoring can
52.1782 seconds
A high-speed camera records all start- nish line passings. INDYCAR times each car to the ten-thousandths place for high accuracy.
Photo: IndyStar, IndyCar, Indiaianpolis Motor Speedway
INDYCAR POINTS SYSTEM
Racing series award performance points to recognize superior on-track results. These points accrue throughout a season of events, and the driver and team with the highest point totals are recognized as the series' season champion. Additional awards go to season finishers below first place.
RACE DAY HOW IT ALL WORKS
Soak up the racing atmosphere with lots of excitement on and off the race track.
THE FAN ZONE
Meet the drivers, suit up in fan gear, and make the event your own special experience. Here’s where you can shake hands with your favorite driver, get an autograph, buy their team’s souvenir merchandise, and learn more about the sport through Q&A sessions with the teams not to mention the concerts and the food.
PADDOCK TOURS
Obviously, only team personnel actually handle the cars, but on a paddock tour, you can watch the mechanics at work. Along with all the steps involved in routine race preparation, you also may see a team making repairs to a car that brushed the wall.
PIT LANE VIEWING ACCESS
Some racing venues allow you to see the team pit areas, where the cars go for service during the race event.
PRACTICE
Race tracks change from year to year, as repaving makes the track behave differently. During practice, drivers can adjust to track conditions while they test out their car’s responsiveness.
QUALIFICATION
Watch as each driver completes laps to earn a place in the racing field. They’re trying to go as fast they can so they can start at the front. Not everyone qualifies fast enough to get into the race.
RACING
On race day, the cars line up in qualifying order, with the slowest at the back. Just before the race begins, they take off for a parade lap, a ceremonial drive around the entire track. When the green flag waves at the start/finish line, it’s go time. With the cars bunched up, watch for really close racing.
Every square inch of the racing venue echoes with the sounds of powerful engines. Throughout the event, you’ll meet people from all across the country and even around the world-all here to see, hear, and feel the speed and momentum of great racing action.
Every team wants to win. Fans get to share in the excitement.
NXG YOUTH MOTORSPORTS
Since 2006, NXG (Nexgeneracers) has served more than 3,000 boys and girls ages 11-16. NXG is an experiential learning initiative that uses motorsports for life skills, STEAM application, and career exposure. We inspire young people to think and act with an increased awareness of academic preparation and an understanding of the motorsports industry. NXG Youth Motorsports, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
NXG BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Harry Alston, Jr. VP, Safer Foundation
Tracy Barnes CIO, State of Indiana
Chenel Darby Founder, Choice Wellness Co.
Reggie Henderson VP, Telemon Enterprise Ventures
Rod Reid Founder & President, NXG Youth Motorsports
Lauren Sparkman Founder, Sparkland Studio
Judith Thomas Deputy Mayor, City of Indianapolis
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TERMINOLOGY
APEX
The portion of a turn that comes closest to the inside of the corner.
BACK MARKER
A slower race car at or near the back of the eld.
CHICANE
A section of track with a quick succession of sharp changes in direction, such as an S curve.
CORNER
A turn or change in direction on the track.
DIRTY AIR
The disrupted air le in a car's wake when it moves at speed.
DOWNFORCE
An upside-down li e ect that increases grip through vehicle aerodynamics. Enables a vehicle to travel faster through corners, but introduces drag that reduces top speed on straights (uncurved track sections).
DRAFT
To take advantage of the slipstream behind a car to drive faster in air that contains less turbulence.
EXIT POINT
Where the driver’s vehicle reaches the outside of the track a er going through a corner.
GRIP
The combined e ects of tire friction, vehicle mass, and downforce that create a race car's cornering envelope.
HALO
An arc-shaped piece of open-wheel bodywork located in front of the driver and designed to minimize the risks of injury during a collision.
HEAT/GROUP QUALIFYING OR RACING
A short qualifying or preliminary race, o en with a small eld, that determines which cars start the main race and in what positions.
LAPPED
A race car at the back of the eld a er the leader has passed it.
LIVERY
The color scheme, graphics, and markings on a race car. (A horse-racing term)
LINE/RACING LINE
Racing positions on the track. The “ideal line” is the quickest route around the racetrack. A car is "outside" when it runs on the top or outer edge of the track and "inside" when it runs near the bo om or inner edge.
MARBLES
Excess rubber build-up above the groove on the track, the result of normal tire wear throughout the race.
NOSE
The frontmost portion of the vehicle body, located between the front wheels. The nose may incorporate wings for aerodynamic performance.
OVERSTEER
Occurs when rear wheels move toward the outside of a turn instead of tracking behind the front wheels. The opposite of understeer.
P (POSITION)
Followed by a number, it indicates a car's position in the starting grid.
PADDOCK
An enclosed area outside of the pits where teams keep their transporters and prepare the race cars.
PASS/OVERTAKE
To catch up to a car and drive around it, or “gain a position.”
PITS/PIT LANE/ROW
Area or lane alongside the racetrack that includes a service area, or stall, for each team. Depending on the racing series, teams can replace tires, fuel up the car, and even make some simple repairs in pit lane.
PUSH-TO-PASS
A system that increases engine power temporarily to create a short burst of extra speed.
ROLLING START
All drivers move at medium speed in grid formation toward the start/ nish line. A wave of the green ag starts the race.
SCRUBS/OLD TIRES
Tires that have been used just enough to break them in.
SLICKS
Untreaded racing tires. (Treads only remove water from the tire surface. They do not provide traction.)
STICKERS
New tires with the manufacturer's speci cation sticker still in place.
UNDERSTEER/PUSH
Occurs when front wheels move toward the outside of a turn instead of following the course. The opposite of oversteer.
NXG’s Guide to INDYCAR was created to give a cursory understanding of motorsports and Indycar in particular. Written for first-time spectators and those with a passing curiosity, this guide offers an overview of the subject with simple explanations. Future guides may feature other types of racing and in-depth topics on motorsports.
Publisher: NXG Youth Motorsports, Inc.
Content Support: Racer Magazine
Publication Design: RLR Associates, Inc.
Writing & Editing: B+C Communications
Image Credits: Most photos shown in this guide are courtesy of Racer Magazine. Additional photos and illustrations other than those provided by Racer are credited on their respective page. These sources include: 24H Le Mans; Aerial Archives; Aspen Times; Auto Racing 1; Automotive Hall of Fame; Car and Driver; CorvSport; Cosworth; Daily Item; Drag Illustrated; ESPN Press Room; Firestone; Forza Fandom; Fox 5 San Diego; Fox 59; Honda Racing; Hyundai Motorsport; Jim and Sheri Barnett; Indianapolis Motor Speedway; INDYCAR; IndyStar; McLaren; Monaco Modifieds; Morning Consult; Motorsport; Motorsport Week; New Atlas; NHRA; Off-Road Expo; Open Wheel; Petronas; Salecinask; Speed Cafe Sports Media Watch; Summit Racing; Venturi; Wikimedia Commons; World Wide of Sports
Acknowledgements: NXG Youth Motorsports worked with several organizations to gain information and insight. Special thanks to Racer Magazine for providing access to their library of images and articles. Additionally, NXG appreciates the visual content and publication support from Dallara, IMS Productions, and INDYCAR. Special thanks to Lucas Oil, NXG’s longtime benefactor and sponsor. And much gratitude to Penske Entertainment and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with whom NXG has enjoyed a unique partnership with since its first program in 2006.
Disclaimer: This guide presents the most-current information available at the time of publication. Images, terminology, and data are subject to change because of constant innovation in the motorsports industry. NXG worked diligently to research material for this publication with the sole purpose of educating individuals on INDYCAR and motorsports racing. Any errors, omissions, or concerns about the content of this publication, please email: info@nxgyouth.org.
© 2024 NXG Youth Motorsports, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without prior permission of the copyright holder is strictly prohibited.
First Printing May 2024 Indianapolis, Indiana USA
