Toyota and Lamborghini say no to IndyCar

Until Miles fixes the horrific TV deal IndyCar has OEMs will continue to reject IndyCar

There have been rumblings in the paddock recently about IndyCar's continued efforts to land a third official engine manufacturer (OEM) but when manufacturers see the minuscule TV ratings on NBCSN they all say no. All IndyCar races need to be on Network TV until they can rebuild their fanbase. If the new TV contract doesn't put 100% of the races on Network TV, and also include a strong international package, IndyCar will continue to be rejected by OEMs.

While talk about Toyota has continued to build, Miles told Sports Business Daily yesterday said that it is the "same status" with Toyota as last year, when the brand indicated that it had no current intent to join the series.

Miles did confirm that IndyCar had a "great deal of conversation" with Lamborghini about joining as a third OEM. But he said, "At this point, I do not expect them to come forward."

He added, "It was a great process and deep learning for both of us, and maybe some day in the future, but I don’t look for that to happen maybe in the next year or so. … We got close with Lamborghini and we will keep talking with anyone who will talk with us and sooner or later we’ll find our third OEM." Check out our related article "It's the TV stupid!"