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IndyCar signs multiyear extensions with Chevrolet and Honda

By Brittany Frederick

JR Hildebrand drives the No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet in the Verizon IndyCar Series. Photo Credit: Chris Jones/Courtesy of IndyCar
JR Hildebrand drives the No. 21 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet in the Verizon IndyCar Series. Photo Credit: Chris Jones/Courtesy of IndyCar /
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IndyCar has locked up Chevrolet and Honda for multiple years as the open-wheel league eyes additional manufacturers for future seasons.

The Verizon IndyCar Series resigned both its engine manufacturers on Friday, reaching terms with Chevrolet and Honda on new multi-year agreements to continue participating in the open-wheel racing league.

But IndyCar hasn’t ruled out adding an extra manufacturer to the stable — in fact, they’re looking at this deal as a tool to help them bring in additional companies for the future, with the support of Chevy and Honda.

League president of competition and operations Jay Frye announced the new deals on Friday and added: “The fact both Honda and Chevrolet are encouraging IndyCar to attract additional OEMs to compete is a sure sign that we are on the same page.”

The specific lengths of the new agreements with Chevrolet and Honda were not announced in Frye’s press release.

However, the moves come as an encouraging sign for fans who follow the business side of IndyCar. The league reached other extensions with tire brand Firestone and chassis manufacturer Dallara earlier this year, and in September announced an agreement with Performance Friction Brakes to become the league’s new brake supplier. As far as technology is concerned IndyCar is locking up companies left and right.

“To have all of our major manufacturers locked in with us for the foreseeable future points to the fact that they all have bought into the vision for the Verizon IndyCar Series,” Frye said. “It’s another sign of the positive momentum we continue to build as we grow this sport into the next decade.”

Will that future include a third engine manufacturer?

The idea is one that’s been bandied about for awhile, and fans have certainly discussed it as the league lags behind in that department compared to other motorsports. NASCAR has three (Chevy, Toyota and Ford) while Red Bull Global Rallycross has four (Ford, Honda, Subaru and Volkswagen).

Being able to lay out a long-term plan for IndyCar’s technical future might appeal to new faces as a way of showing them that the league knows where it’s going and is willing to enter into a solid commitment with any incoming company.

But for now (and for the next several years) it will be Chevrolet and Honda firmly in the proverbial driver’s seat.

Next: IndyCar's Rahal Letterman Lanigan entering GRC

The 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season begins this Sunday, March 12 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. For full season coverage, follow the Motor Sports category at FanSided here.