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Penske Entertainment has added $2.2 million to its overall expenditure on Leaders Circle (LC) contracts for the 2025 season. According to multiple sources, the parent company of the IndyCar Series …
Penske Entertainment increased its expenditure on Leaders Circle contracts for the 2025 season by $2.2 million, issuing 22 new agreements to top 22 teams from the previous season with an added $100,000. The Leaders Circle program, established by the Hulman George family in the mid-2000s, ensures smaller teams get a fair share of the season-long prize money fund by committing to participate in every race. This increase comes as IndyCar teams are facing the highest operating budgets in 25 years, with average entry costs now between $8-10 million, up from $6-8 million in 2023. The additional $100,000 will be beneficial for the 22 full-time entries with contracts, considering the permission for engine manufacturers to raise annual engine leases by $150,000. Teams are also awaiting lease agreement details for the spec energy recovery system, expecting an annual cost of $225,000-$250,000 per car for the upcoming 17 races, an increase of $135,000-$160,000 per entry.
