PREMA Racing, the Italian outfit that planted its U.S. flag just north of Indianapolis in Fishers, is in the market for a new owner or major investor and has pulled out of the early rounds of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR Series. Team officials say the retreat is meant to buy breathing room while they court a buyer or deep-pocketed partner, not to slam the door on IndyCar. The near-term target remains a return for the Indianapolis 500 on May 24. In the meantime, more than 30 full-time staffers at the Fishers shop are stuck in limbo while management tries to find the money and a roadmap back to the grid.
As reported by The Indianapolis Star, PREMA Racing LLC has informed series officials it will skip the first six races of the 2026 season while it searches for new ownership or a significant investment partner. The Star notes that PREMA must both secure that new backing and then file entries to be considered for the Indy 500, and that the team has taken INDYCAR off its own website while things play out. A PREMA source summed up the mood to the paper: "It's disappointing that it hasn't happened sooner or quickly, in a more expedient fashion."
How PREMA Ended Up in IndyCar Country
PREMA announced in 2024 that it would expand into the NTT INDYCAR Series and followed through with a two-car program in 2025 from its new Fishers facility, fielding Chevrolet-powered entries, according to INDYCAR. For a team long known as a powerhouse in junior formulas, the move was framed as a major step up, built around a dedicated North American base and added engineering firepower.
Why Charter Status and Cash Are Critical
PREMA joined the series as an unchartered team, which limited access to certain revenue streams and, according to The Indianapolis Star, ultimately cost the organization about $1.2 million in Leaders Circle payouts after the 2025 season. IndyCar officials have signaled that chartered teams are expected to form the backbone of full-time entries, and any change in PREMA ownership would need league approval on new owners, drivers and engine agreements before the team could slot back into the lineup.
Indy 500 Clock Is Ticking
The timing is tight if PREMA is going to make the Indianapolis 500. Sources say a sale or major investment must be wrapped up and entries filed well ahead of the series technical and paperwork deadlines for May. INDYCAR has laid out procedures for late entries and qualifying, and league officials have publicly talked about their expectations for a full 33-car field this year. Whether PREMA can navigate the technical, logistical and approval maze in time is still an open question, even if a buyer shows up with the checkbook ready.
For now, PREMA's Fishers shop is stuck in wait-and-see mode, with employees and team leaders watching to see if a buyer or investor emerges with the resources to keep a U.S. IndyCar program alive. If a deal comes together quickly and clears INDYCAR review, the team could still be in the mix to roll onto the grid at Indianapolis. If it does not, PREMA's American adventure may stay parked on an indefinite pause.
