Racing Toward Zero

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES journey to become the most sustainable motorsport in North America
INDYCAR is focused on INNOVATIVE ways to DECARBONIZE both on track and off. Our sport recognizes its unique vantage point to play a powerful role driving a more sustainable future across racing's impactful landscape.
In 2023, Penske Entertainment, parent company of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, developed its first sustainability report: The full Accelerating Change report can be downloaded here.
Renewable Race Fuel
Recycling Race Fluids
Renewable Diesel
Race Tires
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Renewable Race Fuel
In 2023, Shell, the Official Fuel of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, introduced a 100% renewably sourced racing fuel. INDYCAR became the first U.S. racing series to use this new technology.
Second-generation ethanol made from sugarcane waste is blended with other biofuels to create this renewable product that will drive INDYCAR into the future. Compared to fossil-based gasoline, this new fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60%. Working together with INDYCAR engine suppliers Chevrolet and Honda, the Shell 100% Renewable Race Fuel meets the dynamic demands of a race weekend without any limitations in performance.
Recycling Race Fluids
Safety-Kleen has been recycling automotive fluids for INDYCAR for more than 30 years, and in 2008, the company became the Official Environmental Service Provider for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Safety-Kleen provides safe, environmentally responsible disposal of automotive liquids both at the racetrack and at teams' race shops around the country.
In 2021, the latest year for which data is available, Safety-Kleen collected 7,168 gallons of used oil and 2,091 gallons of solvent for Penske Entertainment. These efforts reduced INDYCAR's overall carbon footprint by 48 metric tons.
Renewable Diesel
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is testing fuel innovation off-track too. In 2022, INDYCAR utilized renewable diesel for all race car transporters following the Indianapolis 500. The program has expanding significantly in 2023 to include all INDYCAR and IMS Productions transporters in addition to the race vehicle transporters already being fueled with renewable diesel for all race events.
Renewable diesel is made from vegetable and animal fats and waste cooking oils that are refined. Renewable diesel is a fuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% compared to traditional diesel. It is considered a “drop in” fuel, meaning no alterations need to be made to the vehicle/engine and the performance meets or exceeds traditional fossil-based diesel fuels.
Race Tires
Experiencing success in 2022, Firestone has expanded the new guayule alternate Firestone Firehawk tire to be utilized for all five street course races this season. The alternate tire provides teams with a strategic choice during both road and street course events, as it provides increased grip, but less duration. The sidewall of this special Firestone Firehawk tire is made of guayule, a drought resistant, heat tolerant, woody desert shrub native to the American southwest.
Guayule is a less water-intensive crop, which could help to address persistent water shortages and drought conditions in the American southwest. Bridgestone is utilizing racing and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as a proving ground to demonstrate the performance of this new sustainable natural rubber.
The Firestone guayule race tire made its competition debut as the alternate race tire at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in 2022. It will be used at all street circuits this season.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Penske Entertainment is working alongside industry-leading consultant WM Sustainability Services to complete a comprehensive baseline study of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2023, which covers all three scopes of emissions. This effort would not be possible without data input from the entire ecosystem of the sport, including vendors, stakeholders, partners, and fans. This data collection initiative will help guide decisions and measure progress as we continue Racing Toward Zero.
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