In a major boost for team finances, head of Penske Entertainment, Roger Penske, has committed an additional $11 million to the IndyCar Leaders Circle program over the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons. This increase effectively adds $500,000 per qualifying contract annually, providing critical support as teams prepare for the significant costs of introducing the all-new ‘spec’ Dallara IR-28 chassis in 2028.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The Leaders Circle program, established in the early 2000s, delivers guaranteed prize money to the top 22 finishers in the annual entrants’ championship. These payouts reward full-season participation and help offset the high costs of competing in the NTT IndyCar Series. The program is exclusive to the series’ 25 charter entries, which compete for the 22 available contracts.

In 2025, Penske Entertainment allocated $31.9 million for the Leaders Circle, with each contract valued at approximately $1.145 million. Starting in 2026, the per-contract amount rises to $1.645 million — an increase of $500,000 per team. This marks the largest single-year jump in the program’s history since its inception in 2002 and will apply through 2028.

IndyCar President Doug Boles highlighted the significance of the move, stating: “Roger [Penske] made a pretty big commitment to the charter teams and the Leaders Circle by increasing the Leaders Circle by $11 million in ’26, ’27, and 28 from where it was in ’25. That was just Roger doing the right thing to help IndyCar teams, his partner teams, be more successful and have a little more cash to move forward.”

The timing of this financial enhancement is particularly strategic. Teams currently face annual operating budgets ranging from $8-10 million (and up to $11-12 million for top programs) per entry, driven by factors like engine leases, hybrid technology (introduced in 2024), and general inflation in racing costs. The $500,000 boost represents roughly 17-20% of a typical team’s budget, offering meaningful relief.

More crucially, the increase aligns with preparations for the 2028 chassis transition. The current Dallara DW12 chassis, in service since 2012 (with updates like the aeroscreen and hybrid integration), will be replaced by the new IR-28. Teams are expected to budget upwards of $1 million per car for the switch to the updated Dallara model. The IR-28 promises a lighter overall weight (targeting an 85-100 lb reduction, including a 25-lb lighter gearbox), a more powerful 2.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engine (up from the current 2.2-liter), and continued hybrid evolution — all aimed at enhancing performance, safety, and fan appeal.

On-track testing for the new chassis is slated to begin in early 2026, with prototypes potentially ready by late 2025 and manufacturer testing targeted for mid-2026. The full rollout in 2028 will mark the first clean-sheet chassis redesign in over 16 years, addressing accumulated modifications and setting the stage for future competition.

This Leaders Circle enhancement follows smaller adjustments in recent years, including a $100,000 increase for 2025 (bringing contracts to $1.2 million) and prior fluctuations tied to hybrid upgrades and economic factors. With the series benefiting from a recent 33% stake sale to Fox Corporation and ongoing growth efforts, the commitment underscores Penske Entertainment’s focus on team stability and long-term competitiveness.

As IndyCar continues its upward trajectory—highlighted by competitive ‘spec series’ racing, the iconic Indianapolis 500, and expanding visibility — this financial support positions charter teams to invest more effectively in development, talent, and operations ahead of the exciting 2028 era. Stay tuned to AutoRacing1.com for further updates on the IR-28 rollout, engine developments, and the 2026 season.

Four changes have already been made to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs ahead of Monday’s announcement of the championship format. NASCAR is set for a potentially landscape-changing week, with the governing body poised to announce changes to its championship format following sustained discontent from fans, as well as past and present drivers.

Pressure on NASCAR to change its championship format increased following last November’s finale in Phoenix, Arizona, which saw Denny Hamlin fall painfully short of being crowned Cup Series champion to Kyle Larson. The Joe Gibbs Racing star dominated proceedings and was a few laps away from the checkered flag when a caution threw his victory into doubt.

Hamlin’s No. 11 was then undercut by Kyle Larson on pit road, with the Hendrick Motorsports star taking two tires instead of four. Larson finished ahead of Hamlin, therefore being crowned Cup Series champion for a second time. The finish sparked outrage over Hamlin’s heartbreak, as the race was his last chance to be crowned champion before his father, Dennis, passed away. Dennis was seriously ill last year, but died last month on Dec. 28, following a devastating house fire that also left his mom hospitalized.

Hamlin was one of many critics of NASCAR’s playoff format and had long called for changes to be made. It was speculated shortly after that changes would be made to NASCAR’s championship format.

Still, official confirmation won’t come until Monday, which also follows last month’s bitter antitrust lawsuit between Hamlin and Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports against the governing body, which was eventually settled.

Sign up to our NASCAR newsletter here.

However, before Monday’s format announcement, four changes have already been made to NASCAR’s playoffs. Homestead-Miami will replace Phoenix as the host of NASCAR’s championship races in 2026. Phoenix will be pushed back to the Round of 8.

Phoenix Raceway is taking over as the opening race of the Round of 8 (Race 33), replacing Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Talladega Superspeedway and Martinsville Speedway remain unchanged and will continue to close out the semifinal round as Races 34 and 35.

Las Vegas is still part of the postseason, but its role has been pushed back to the Round of 12, filling the spot vacated by New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

New Hampshire had long been in a traditional position as the round opener, but Las Vegas will instead host the middle race (Race 31). Kansas Speedway will open the Round of 12 (Race 30), while the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval will once again serve as the cutoff race (Race 32) in that stage.

The Round of 16 remains untouched, with Darlington Raceway opening the playoffs (Race 27), followed by stops at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway (Race 28) and Bristol Motor Speedway (Race 29).

New Hampshire is the lone race on the 2025 playoff schedule that will not carry over into the 2026 postseason.

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., together with Nissan Motorsports & Customizing Co., Ltd. (NMC), has revealed the Aura NISMO RS Concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026, showcasing a bold vision for a next-generation high-performance electrified hot hatch and hinting at potential future production.

Developed as a technical validation model, the concept evolves from the Aura NISMO and integrates the high-output e-POWER system from the X-Trail NISMO, combining motorsports-inspired engineering with mass-production vehicle technologies. Nissan confirmed it is exploring the feasibility of bringing the concept to market.

Aggressive design with functional aerodynamics

The Aura NISMO RS Concept builds on the brand’s “Agile Electric City Racer” philosophy with a more muscular and track-focused design. Wider fenders expanded by 145 mm, a 20 mm lower ride height and a broader stance give the car a low center of gravity and commanding road presence.

A full aerodynamic package — including a front spoiler, side skirts, rear diffuser with signature NISMO red accents, airflow-optimized front fenders, side air splitters and a dedicated rear spoiler — has been developed to increase downforce while minimizing drag. The concept is finished in an exclusive Dark Matte NISMO Stealth Gray, designed to maintain visual consistency under varying light conditions.

Motorsports-driven performance upgrade

At its core, the concept pairs the compact, lightweight Aura NISMO platform with Nissan’s high-output series-hybrid e-POWER drivetrain, delivering a significant increase in power to the wheels and sharper throttle response.

Handling and stability are enhanced through the widened body, high-grip tires and NISMO-tuned e-4ORCE all-wheel control technology, offering improved traction and cornering capability. Braking is reinforced by large opposed-piston calipers — four-pot units at the front and two-pot at the rear — ensuring strong stopping performance despite an approximate 100-kg weight increase over the standard Aura NISMO.

Nissan and NMC stated that the concept will continue to be refined, with possible applications in motorsport as well as future commercialization.

Strategic importance for NISMO

“Under our Re:Nissan strategy, we are committed to introducing heartbeat models at speed that resonate with customers,” said Yutaka Sanada, President and CEO of NMC. “The Aura NISMO RS Concept is our first offering born from the collective expertise of NMC. NISMO has always pushed people and technology to the limit in motorsports, and we will continue delivering that excitement to customers and fans worldwide.”

Key specifications (Aura NISMO RS Concept)

• Length: 4,262 mm
• Width: 1,880 mm
• Height: 1,485 mm
• Kerb weight: 1,490 kg
• Front motor: 150 kW / 330 Nm
• Rear motor: 100 kW / 195 Nm
• Power generation engine: 1.5-litre turbo (106 kW / 250 Nm)
• Drivetrain: e-POWER with e-4ORCE AWD
• Wheels: NISMO LM GT4, 18×9.0J
• Tyres: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (245/45R18)

With its blend of aggressive styling, electrified performance and motorsports DNA, the Aura NISMO RS Concept highlights Nissan’s intent to redefine the future of performance-oriented hybrid vehicles.

In the video shared by Red Bull Motorsport, Hadjar was tasked with setting a time within 15 seconds of the benchmark set by Guthrie over five laps.

Isack Hadjar during F1 post-season testing – Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

The young French driver, upon taking the wheel of the Ford Raptor, initially set 4 minutes 18 seconds – well off the 3 minutes 16 seconds set by Guthrie.

Hadjar continued to improve his lap time with more attempts, and his final two runs saw him come within two seconds of the benchmark.

Sharing his reaction to his outing in the rally car, Hadjar stated:

“I rarely have this much fun, best thing ever. To be fair, this car gives you so much confidence.”

Hadjar set to be handed Tsunoda’s engineer

Woody has served as race engineer for several former Red Bull drivers, including Liam Lawson and, more recently, Yuki Tsunoda.

Catch up with GPBlog’s latest Paddock Update

As the commencement of the 2026 season draws nearer, our Paddock Update is the place to be.

Check out the latest episode of our Paddock Update here 👇

American Communications Construction (ACC) and Aloha Beauty Lounge have extended their primary sponsorship of NHRA Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher through 2032. This partnership ensures Schumacher will continue racing the No. 15 Top Fuel dragster for Rick Ware Racing, aiming to add to his record of 88 event wins and eight championships. Both sponsors are committed to investing resources for competitive success starting in 2026. Schumacher praised the alignment of values with the sponsors, emphasizing a shared commitment to family and teamwork. As the NHRA prepares for its 75th season, Schumacher looks forward to capitalizing on this stability in his racing career.

By the Numbers

• Schumacher aims to secure additional wins to his current total of 88.
• He has achieved eight championships in his racing career.

State of Play

• Schumacher will collaborate with renowned crew chief Jim Oberhofer this season.
• Teammate Clay Millican, another top driver, adds depth to the racing lineup.

What’s Next

The NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will kick off its 75th season with the NHRA Gatornationals on March 5-8, 2026. With a strengthened team structure and strategic investments, Schumacher is positioned to contend for additional championships.

Bottom Line

The long-term sponsorship extension reflects a serious commitment to excellence in NHRA racing, enhancing Schumacher’s chances of further cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest drivers.