IndyCar: New On-Board LED Display Panels to Debut at Mid-Ohio Next Week

LED lights being tested

Zach Wenzel/NGI photo

INDYCAR announced today the introduction of new technology that will track each Verizon IndyCar Series car's running position and display it in real time via light emitting diode (LED) panels on the side of each racecar. The LED panels have been tested multiple times this season and will be implemented in time for the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on Aug. 2.

"INDYCAR is committed to implementing new technology into the Verizon IndyCar Series and this project was about how we can to enhance the at-track experience for fans at our events and allow them to understand more of what's going on," said Derrick Walker, INDYCAR President of Competition and Operations. "If you're not in the line of sight of a video screen or a scoring pylon, it's sometimes hard to know who's doing what on the racetrack. It was a natural to do the numbering system and we're confident this will help get our fans more engaged at the track."

The panels will feature multiple colors to display pit stop time and when an entry's push-to-pass is active.
The 8-inch-wide by 7-inch-tall LED panels, which are only 3 millimeters thick, will be attached to either side of the airbox (below the cockpit camera mount) on each chassis. The system was first tested in mid-April at Barber Motorsports Park.

Running order will be updated as the car crosses each of the INDYCAR Timing & Scoring timelines embedded around racetracks. Track position in other motorsports series that employ a similar system is updated only at the start/finish line.

Red is the primary color to display running order. Green will be used for the running clock while a car is in its pit box, and a flashing green "PP" will indicate when push to pass is active. Brightness of the LEDs will be modulated to fit daylight and night events.