Dreyer \& Reinbold Racing will return full-time to the NTT IndyCar Series in 2027 after the team purchased a Charter from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing on July 22. Both teams made the announcement on Wednesday morning.

The transaction is subject to IndyCar approval but is the first step in Dreyer \& Reinbold Racing returning to full-time IndyCar Series competition in 2027 with a one-car entry.

How The Charter Deal Came Together

When IndyCar instituted the Charter System in late 2024, it was intended to help create value and equity for the teams that regularly participate in the series. If a team wanted to become a full-time IndyCar entrant and share in the benefits, it had to purchase one of the 25 Charters that are currently held by IndyCar team owners.

RLL was granted three of the 25 charters and retains two so it will be a full two-car team in 2027. The charter system was created to generate immediate value for NTT IndyCar Series team owners and their entries and is expected to grow over time as the sport continues its upward trajectory.

“I want to thank Bobby Rahal, Mike Lanigan, David Letterman, and Jay Frye for the way they approached this from our very first conversation,” said Derek Reinbold, Chief Executive Officer of Dreyer \& Reinbold Racing. “They treated this as a partnership between two organizations that want to see each other succeed, and this announcement today reflects that. The NTT IndyCar Series is in the strongest position it has been in for decades, and that is a direct result of Roger Penske’s stewardship and leadership. The growth of this series, on the track and off, made this the right moment for our team to return to full-time racing.”

Dreyer \& Reinbold Remained Committed To IndyCar, Even After Its Leader Passed Away

The team was founded by Indianapolis businessman and automobile dealer Dennis Reinbold beginning with the 1999 season. Reinbold passed away on June 13, 2026, and the team remained committed to bringing the operation back to full-time status in IndyCar.

The late Dennis Reinbold, owner of Dreyer \& Reinbold Racing, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He passed away on June 13, 2026. (Photo by Geoff Miller/Lumen via Getty Images)

Lumen via Getty Images

“My dad built Dreyer \& Reinbold Racing and poured his life into it, and our family has been part of the Speedway for four generations,” Derek Reinbold said. “Competing for a full season again is the truest way we can honor his legacy, and we intend to make him proud.”

DRR is based in Carmel, Indiana and competed in its 27th Indy 500 this past May. There is a 100-year legacy of the Dreyer and Reinbold families at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, dating back to DRR team owner Dennis Reinbold’s grandfather, the legendary Floyd “Pop” Dreyer, serving as a mechanic for the Duesenberg team in the 1920s.

DRR has qualified 57 cars for the Indianapolis 500. The last season of full-time INDYCAR competition for DRR was in 2012.

DRR will announce the full program details at a later date, including Driver and Partners for the 2027 NTT IndyCar Series campaign.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Moves Ahead With Two IndyCar Charters

Rahal Letterman Lanigan will continue with two Charters into 2027 and beyond.

“As we evaluated the long-term direction of our organization, we made the strategic decision to return our full-time program to two-cars beginning in 2027,” said RLL co-team owner Bobby Rahal, the winning driver of the 1986 Indianapolis 500. “We believe this positions our team to be able to maximize our level of competition while allowing us to focus our resources as we prepare for the introduction of the new car.”

Rahal also expressed interest in helping the late Dennis Reinbold achieve his dream of returning the IndyCar team to full-time status.

“I have always had tremendous respect for Dennis Reinbold, both as a fellow team owner and as a fellow automobile dealer,” Rahal said. “His dedication to IndyCar and the legacy he built over many years earned the respect of everyone in the paddock.

“Dennis had expressed interest in acquiring a charter from the time the charter program was established, and we had several discussions with him before his passing. We're pleased we were able to complete this transaction, and we can't think of a more deserving organization to receive the charter. It reflects Dennis's longstanding commitment to the sport and helps ensure that legacy continues."

Team Owner Bobby Rahal in 2024. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

IndyCar Charter System Works As Intended

Mark Miles is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Penske Entertainment, which owns IndyCar, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500 as well as other races on the NTT IndyCar Series schedule. Miles said this is an example of why the charter systems was created two years ago.

“The first transfer of an IndyCar charter is an important milestone for the IndyCar charter system and demonstrates that the system is working as intended,” Miles said. “The charter system provides teams with a valuable asset encouraging their continued investment in the long-term growth of the sport while also providing new ownership groups with a clear pathway into the series.

“It’s another step in strengthening the long-term foundation of IndyCar.”

The IndyCar Charter System also helps to ensure full-time participation in every IndyCar Series race, while maintaining solid business principles that are used in nearly all professional sports leagues in North America.

Fans walk across the front straightaway and in the pits before the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, 2026, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images