Elkins to lead IndyCar officiating overhaul

The newly formed IndyCar Officiating has appointed Scot Elkins as its first Managing Director of Officiating, marking a significant step in the sport’s effort to enhance governance, transparency and consistency in race control.

Created in December 2025 as an independent, not-for-profit entity, IndyCar Officiating operates separately from IndyCar and Penske Entertainment. Oversight is provided by an Independent Officiating Board (IOB) comprising Raj Nair (chairman), Ray Evernham and Ronan Morgan.

Elkins, a 56-year-old Indiana native, brings more than a quarter-century of high-level experience across global motorsport. In his new position, he will oversee race control operations and technical inspection, working alongside existing personnel while reporting directly to the IOB—an arrangement designed to ensure independence from commercial stakeholders.

Key details of the appointment

Elkins is no stranger to American open-wheel racing. He previously served as technical director of Champ Car between 2005 and 2008, where he played a central role in competition management, rule enforcement and safety development. Notably, he contributed to the technical and operational coordination surrounding the unification of Champ Car and IndyCar in 2008.

Beyond that tenure, his résumé spans an array of leading championships, including Formula One, Formula E, NASCAR and IMSA SportsCar Championship. Since 2014, he has led The Elkins Group, advising organisations on officiating standards, safety systems and technical governance.

Elkins expressed both pride and ambition upon accepting the role, emphasising the strength of IndyCar’s existing officiating personnel.

“IndyCar Officiating already has something truly special in its race control and technical teams,” he said. “Our mission is to build on that foundation, delivering greater transparency and consistency for competitors and fans alike.”

The appointment comes amid a broader push within the series to modernise officiating structures and reinforce trust in regulatory decisions. By separating governance from commercial interests, IndyCar aims to align itself more closely with international best practices.

IOB chairman Raj Nair described Elkins as the standout candidate following an extensive search process.

“The depth and breadth of his experience make him an ideal fit,” Nair noted. “We are confident he will provide strong leadership and integrate seamlessly with the current team.”

Governance structure overview

Elkins will officially assume his duties on 11 May, with a structured onboarding process already underway. His appointment signals a new chapter for IndyCar, one in which impartiality and procedural clarity are expected to play an increasingly central role in the championship’s evolution.