American motorsports series have long been limited within their domestic border. With NASCAR, for the first time in its history, choosing to host an international points race, it seems like IndyCar is looking to follow suit. Unlike NASCAR, IndyCar has held races internationally, but since 2013 they’ve been restricted to the United States. However, Roger Penske has other ideas and wants to see the series prosper in foreign markets.

Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles had revealed potential plans to return to Australia with an international IndyCar event. The Supercars series has undergone a huge revamp in its racing schedule, and with the Adelaide race now converted to the finale, it could allow IndyCar to slot right in. But Zak Brown feels that IndyCar is better off racing in America rather than going international.

Zak Brown wants IndyCar to grow within the US before going overseas

To better understand Roger Penske’s expansion plan, let us briefly touch on the past IndyCar international events. Japan’s Twin Ring Motegi has hosted IndyCar races from 1996 to 2010. One of the most memorable events on the oval was in 2008 when Danica Patrick became the first woman to win an IndyCar race. But after the earthquake in 2011, the oval track became a road course. It was the last time Japan hosted an IndyCar race.

Australia has also been associated with American open-wheel racing. IndyCar raced at the Surfer’s Paradise street circuit from 1991 to 2008. However, the state authorities of Queensland and IndyCar weren’t able to negotiate a deal. Ultimately, it led to the series’ exit from the region. The race in Brazil’s Sau Palo’s street circuit was the last time IndyCar raced internationally.

So you see, this is not the first time the series is planning to race outside of America. But Brown feels that IndyCar needs to build and solidify its presence on the home soil rather than embarking on an ambitious project. “I’m not a fan of IndyCar going outside of the Americas. I know it’s Aussie [readers] here, and I love Aussie, and I’ve got a Supercar team, and I love the F1 race in Aussie, and I’ve got an Australian driver, so it has nothing to do with Australia, but IndyCar needs to grow its own market before it starts going international outside of America.” Brown said this while speaking to Speedcafe.

Brown doesn’t mind Roger Penske and his team looking to expand in Mexico or Brazil, but anything beyond that he feels would be a stretch. “I just don’t love the idea of IndyCar straying away from America, specifically North America. But if you wanted to, then get into Mexico and Brazil and then the Americas. So that’s my personal opinion. It’s just my general view of until you’re maximizing your home market,” he added.

There is also the factor of existing motorsports in other regions. At the moment, Formula 1 dominates the global open-wheel racing scenario. Countries in Europe, Asia, as well Australia each have annual established races that have been around for years. To set up a base in another country for a race, IndyCar might have to solidify itself in America first. In such a scenario, Zak Brown may not be wrong.

Speaking of growth, the moves IndyCar has made under the ownership of Roger Penske suggest they are headed in the right direction.

New TV deal, Charter System, and more

Starting in 2025, FOX Sports will exclusively broadcast all 19 IndyCar races. Comcast’s NBC had been the home for the open-wheel American series for nearly two decades, but they are now switching to FOX. The multi-year deal will make IndyCar the only motorsports series whose races will be aired exclusively on broadcast TV in the US. NASCAR meanwhile has a split of both FOX and NBC, along with streaming partners like Amazon Prime and TNT.

Moreover, for the first time in the history of the series, IndyCar will have a charter system starting next year. It’s a franchise model that guarantees the team will have a slot on the starting grid, excluding the Indianapolis 500 race. Owners of the 10 teams have accepted the charter for 25 entries, who will be eligible to be a part of the IndyCar Leaders Circle program. The current deal will run up to 2031 and will be the start of a new revenue model that could fuel the rise of the series beyond its current reach.

The masterstroke by the billionaire owner was the purchase of the Long Beach Grand Prix. Penske bought the race from Gerald Gorsythe, who owned half of the event along with late owner Kevin Kalkhoven. Both NASCAR and F1 were also keen to bag this racing event, but Gerald sold the event to Penske Entertainment. The IndyCar event at Long Beach garnered the largest attendance in modern history, and an estimated 190,000 people turned up to witness this year’s race. Not only did IndyCar secure ownership rights of its flagship race, but it also fended off rival series like NASCAR and F1.

Now taking a race internationally is easier said than done, but as history proves, IndyCar has seen success when they’ve raced overseas. And given how Roger Penske has transformed the series, it won’t come as a surprise if the premier American open-wheel race series finds a new home.