Indycar Fuel: What You Need to Know

If you’ve ever wondered whether Indycar runs on leaded gasoline, the short answer is no. Indycar uses a specially blended, unleaded ethanol mix that’s both high‑performance and cleaner for the environment. This fuel choice shapes everything from engine tuning to race strategy, and it’s a topic that pops up a lot in our community.

What fuel does Indycar actually use?

Since 2012 Indycar has been running on a 98% ethanol blend called E98. The remaining 2% is a tiny amount of gasoline that helps the engine start in cooler conditions. Because ethanol is an alcohol, it burns hotter and faster than regular petrol, which translates into better power output on the straightaways. The fuel is delivered through a high‑pressure fuel‑injector system that can handle the extra energy without damaging the engine.

Why go unleaded and ethanol‑heavy?

There are three big reasons:

Performance. Ethanol’s high octane rating (around 100) lets teams push higher compression ratios without knocking, meaning more horsepower per liter.

Environment. Ethanol burns cleaner than leaded gasoline, cutting down on toxic emissions. It also reduces the carbon footprint because most of the ethanol is made from renewable sources like corn or sugarcane.

Regulation. International motorsport bodies have been phasing out leaded fuels for decades. Indycar’s switch aligns with global standards and keeps the series eligible for future green initiatives.

Fans often ask if the fuel makes the cars louder or faster. The answer is a mixed bag – the sound is slightly different because ethanol burns at a higher temperature, but the speed boost is real. Teams spend a lot of time fine‑tuning their fuel maps to get the best lap times while staying within fuel‑flow limits set by the series.

Another practical point: because ethanol contains more oxygen than gasoline, teams can run richer mixtures without risking engine damage. This gives drivers a bit more wiggle room when they’re pushing hard in the final laps.

So, if you hear a rumor that Indycar still uses leaded fuel, you can confidently shut it down. The series has been a leader in adopting cleaner, high‑octane alternatives, and the move to E98 is a clear sign of that commitment.

Whether you’re a casual fan or someone thinking about a career in motorsports, understanding the fuel basics helps you appreciate the engineering tricks that go into every Indycar showdown. It also shows why the sport is staying relevant as the automotive world moves toward greener powertrains.

Got more questions about Indycar tech, race strategy, or how fuel choices affect the championship? Drop a comment below or join the discussion on our forum – we love hearing what you think.