Roger Penske-led IndyCar adds $11,000,000 to Leaders Circle payout beginning with 2026: Report

Roger Penske's Penske Entertainment, which owns IndyCar, will reportedly increase the payout for each entry in the Leaders Circle by a significant $500,000. Until 2024, the payout for the Leaders Circle, aka the Top 22 entries in the championship standings, was $1 million.

The Hulman George family, which owned the premier American open-wheel racing series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, had devised the concept of the Leaders Circle in the early 2000s. Implemented in 2002, it was done to bring a certain parity between the big, financially stable teams and the smaller teams at risk of winning no prize money and exiting the series.

As per RACER, the payout in 2025 increased slightly to 1.16 million dollars. For 2026, Penske Entertainment, 33% of which is now owned by FOX, with Roger Penske selling that stake for $135 million, will increase the Leaders Circle payout by $500,000 to approximately $1.7 million.

This increase would be of significant help to teams like Dale Coyne Racing and Juncos Hollinger Racing, which have had to rely on drivers with good sponsorships to field a full-time entry. The $500,000 increase in payout is the biggest change since the program's inception in 2002.

For Penske Entertainment, it means an additional outflow of $11 million ($500,000 for 22 Leaders Circle entries). This highlights that IndyCar is in a healthier position compared to when Roger Penske bought the racing series in 2019.

FOX's magnificent impact on IndyCar in 2025

NTT INDYCAR Series BITNILE.com Grand Prix of Portland - Source: Getty

FOX joined IndyCar as its new broadcasting partner before the 2025 season. With ingenious marketing tactics, viral promos featuring the series' top drivers, and cross-promotions with its other sporting properties, FOX brought in a new era for the premier American open-wheel racing series.

The year-on-year viewership increased by 27%, the highest for any sport averaging at least 1 million viewers. The series witnessed massive growth in viewership among the younger demographics, with an 81% increase in viewers aged 18-34 and a 1% increase in viewers aged 18-49.

The 2025 season also witnessed significant growth among women viewers. There was a 72% increase in women viewers aged 18-34 and a 30% increase in the age group of 18-49.

The 109th Indianapolis 500, which Alex Palou won, averaged 7.05 million viewers and peaked at 8.4 million viewers. It was the most-watched Indy 500 since 2008. On the heels of such success, FOX bought a 33% stake in IndyCar from Roger Penske in August to double down on its commitment to the series.