Sylvie Willis
IndyCar racing is the highest level of open-wheel racing in North America. The 2023 schedule included 17 races, starting in March and ending in September. Each race demands a lot of planning, time, money, and resources. One of the most important resources is fuel. So, how much fuel does an IndyCar hold?
IndyCar Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1,590-1,630 pounds |
| Height | 40 inches |
| Width | 76 inches |
| Tire Diameter | 15 inches |
| Fuel Type | E85 (85% ethanol) |
| Tank Capacity | 18.5 gallons |
| Horsepower | 550-700 |
| Top Speed | 240 mph |
| Number of Races | 17 |
| Competition Region | North America |
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What You'll Learn
Indy car fuel tank capacity
The Indy Car Series is the highest level of open-wheel racing in North America. The 2023 schedule included 17 races, starting in St. Petersburg, Florida, and ending at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in September. IndyCar machines use E85 fuel, which is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% high-octane racing fuel. This blend was arrived at after IndyCar officials experimented with different blends of methanol and ethanol. IndyCar fuel tanks hold 18.5 US gallons, though the amount of fuel put in the tank at a time may vary.
Indy cars have come a long way since the mid-1960s when pit stops were in the 50-second range. Today, pit crews have perfected the art of fast fuel delivery, with some stops ranging from 3.84 seconds to 16.32 seconds. In 1965, the Wood brothers, Glen, Leonard, Delano, and Ray Lee, revolutionized the Indy pitting process by instituting new procedures that drastically cut down on time in the pit row. Their innovations included smoothing out the connections on fuel hoses to make them easier to connect and disconnect, as well as keeping the hoses level to ensure a steady flow of fuel.
Indy cars are also becoming increasingly focused on hybrid technology and road relevancy. The 2022 engines included a multi-phase motor, inverter, and an electric storage device that creates energy recovery from the car's braking system. This allows the engines to produce more than 900 horsepower without using any additional fuel.
IndyCar teams are highly strategic about the amount of fuel on board, as a full fuel tank can weigh down the car. Each car will consume about 0.6 gallons per lap or 125 gallons if they complete the 200-lap race.
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Indy car fuel type
IndyCar machines use E85 fuel, which is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% high-octane racing fuel. The fuel formula is closely monitored by IndyCar officials to ensure that no illegal additives are used. Each IndyCar team draws its fuel from the same common fuel tank, and the tanks are bolted to the ground to prevent tampering. IndyCar fuel tanks hold approximately 18.5 US gallons, although teams will often put in less fuel at a time to reduce weight and increase speed.
IndyCar has traditionally used fossil fuels, with traditional gasoline being phased out by 1965. Since then, IndyCar officials have experimented with different blends of methanol and ethanol to arrive at the current E85 formula.
In recent years, IndyCar has begun to embrace more sustainable fuel sources. IndyCar's 2022 engines included hybrid technology, with a multi-phase motor, inverter, and electric storage device that creates energy recovery from the car's braking system. This allows the engines to produce more than 900 horsepower without using additional fuel.
Starting in 2023, IndyCar introduced Shell's 100% Renewable Race Fuel, which is a blend of second-generation ethanol derived from sugarcane waste and other renewable components. This fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60% compared to fossil-based gasoline. IndyCar is the first United States-based motorsports series to power racing with 100% renewable race fuel.
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Indy car fuel consumption
The Indy Car Series is the highest level of open-wheel racing in North America. The 2023 schedule included 17 races, taking place across the United States. IndyCars use E85 fuel, which is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% high-octane racing fuel. This blend was arrived at after IndyCar officials experimented with different blends of methanol and ethanol.
IndyCar fuel tanks hold approximately 18.5 US gallons. During a race, cars will consume about 0.6 gallons per lap, or 125 gallons if they complete the 200-lap race. IndyCar teams have control over the amount of fuel going into the car, and there is no real limit on fuel usage. Teams will attempt to put in as little fuel as possible at a time to keep the car light and quick.
IndyCar races involve a lot of planning, time, money, and resources. The fuel used in these races is just as important as horsepower and performance. Fuel samples are analysed by the Mobile Fuel Analysis Team, who work all 17 IndyCar races to ensure that no illegal additives have been used.
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Indy car refuelling during races
The Indy 500 is a 200-lap race on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. Each car in the race will consume about 0.6 gallons per lap or 125 gallons if they complete the race. The Indy car machines use E85 fuel (85% ethanol) and a tank holds 18.5 gallons.
IndyCar has a similar approach to fuel usage as NASCAR, with in-race refuelling and no real limit. The top eight in the 2022 Indy 500 race made five stops during the race. Assuming a full tank of fuel at each stop, the current fuel tanks would need to be six times the current size to handle all the gas needed for the 500.
During the race, if a driver has to stop to refuel when the pits are closed, they will receive a drive-through penalty, which has to be served when the race goes green. This penalty is so severe that on road and street courses, IndyCar teams will try to pit as early as they can within the pit window.
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Indy car fuel analysis
Indy car racing, also known as IndyCar Series, is one of the highest levels of open-wheel racing in the world. The cars in this series use E85 fuel, which is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% high-octane racing fuel. This blend was arrived at after IndyCar officials experimented with different blends of methanol and ethanol. IndyCar engines are set to include hybrid technology, which will allow them to produce more than 900 horsepower without using any additional fuel.
Indy cars have a fuel tank capacity of 18.5 US gallons, although the teams will attempt to put in as little as possible to keep the cars light and quick. During the race, the cars can be refuelled, and there is no real limit on the amount of fuel that can be used. The amount of fuel put in during each stop can vary considerably, from a ''splash-and-dash' to a considerable refuelling.
Indy cars are optimized for performance and average about four miles per gallon. During the Indy 500 race, this means each car will consume about 0.6 gallons per lap or 125 gallons if they complete the race. The fuel used in these cars is just as important as horsepower and performance.
Indy car racing has come under scrutiny for its environmental impact. However, motorsport is being looked to as a way to lead the way towards more sustainable and cleaner technologies. For example, the all-electric series demonstrates how the electrification of cars can lead to a more sustainable world.
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Frequently asked questions
An Indy car's fuel tank can hold 18.5 US gallons (approximately 70 litres) of fuel.
During the Indy 500 race, an Indy car consumes about 0.6 gallons per lap or 125 gallons if they complete the race.
Indy cars use E85 fuel, which is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% high-octane racing fuel.
Refuelling during an Indy car race is a quick process, with pit stops lasting around 20 seconds. The fuel is delivered through high-flow fuel hoses that have been modified for faster connection and disconnection.
The number of refuelling stops during an Indy car race can vary. For example, the winner of the 2019 Indianapolis 500, Simon Pagenaud, stopped six times during the race to take on varying amounts of fuel.
