Why is it called an IndyCar? Exploring the history and meaning behind the term

The pinnacle of American open-wheel racing is known as the IndyCar Series. However, this name was officially used for the series for the first time in 2008. Before 2008, the American open-wheel racing scene was divided into two different racing leagues.

The name IndyCar came into existence only when they merged. But what does IndyCar mean?

AUTO: NOV 04 Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar Series Sold to Penske Corp - Source: Getty

The name IndyCar is derived from the marquee event of the season, the Indy 500, and the venue, Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, the name was still not widely used.

Let's get into the history of American open-wheel racing to know how the name came into use.

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Introduction of the Single-Seater Racing Series in the Americas

The American Automobile Association (AAA) organized the first competitive season of motorsport racing in the Americas in 1905. Most of the races were held on ovals. The racing scene died for a few years before making a comeback in 1909. The newly built, brick-laden Indianapolis Motor Speedway caught traction, and in 1911, AAA turned the IMS into an exclusive event with a 500-mile-long race, calling it the International 500-mile sweepstakes race.

However, the name didn't stick for long and was rebranded as the Indy 500, subsequently labeling cars that run in the race as IndyCar. Ray Harroun, the 1911 winner, was the only driver to feature a single-seater car, kickstarting a revolution in the Americas for single-seater open-cockpit cars.

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Transition to USAC Championship Car in 1956

The American Automobile Association stopped sanctioning the race in 1956. The same year, Tony Hulman, the then-owner of IMS, and the USAC (United States Auto Club) took over, naming the championship USAC Championship car. USAC made the call to remove the dirt tracks from the calendar in 1970 since rear-engined cars were good on the tarmac but were unstable on dirt.

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Creation of CART (Championship Auto Racing Team)

The team owners weren't happy with the USAC's decisions regarding driver safety. Amid all this, the owner of the Hulman group, Tony Hulman passed away. With USAC going through a troubled period, team owners Dan Gurney, Roger Penske, and Pat Patrick proposed their ideas to the USAC.

However, the USAC rejected the idea and the trio, along with others supportive of the idea, created CART. The series was sanctioned by the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America). CART grew to be the popular choice for manufacturers as the opinions and suggestions of team owners were taken into consideration. USAC reduced its operation and limited itself to sanctioning the Indy 500.

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The IndyCar trademark battle

Penske and the other founding teams reportedly had a higher influence on CART, defining the rules. Amid the growing issues, including the Indy 500 sanctioning from the USAC, CART wanted to rebrand the series as IndyCar. Tony George, the then-President of the Hulman group, trademarked the Indycar name as the owner of IMS.

AUTO: MAY 01 IndyCar Series - Indianapolis 500 Test (Source: Getty)

Hulman and Co. created a new league in 1994 which became the exclusive home for racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, the court's ruling stopped the Hulman group from using the IndyCar name until 2003. The series was hence named Indy Racing League.

The viewership was split between CART and IRL. Since IRL hosted the Indy 500, the teams and drivers started transitioning to the series. In 2003, CART filed for bankruptcy and was purchased and renamed Champ Car.

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The merger of Champ Car and IRL to form IndyCar

The Champ Car championship never really fulfilled the legacy of CART and filed for bankruptcy within 5 years of operations. Meanwhile, the IndyCar name was adopted by IRL in 2003. IRL merged with Champ Car to reunite the American open-wheel racing scene into one series, which is now known as the IndyCar series.