INDYCAR Independent Officiating Board members Ray Evernham, Raj Nair and Ronan Morgan have been extended for the 2027 NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone seasons. Charter team owners voted unanimously this month to retain Evernham and Nair, while the FIA reappointed Morgan. Scot Elkins also continues as managing director of officiating as INDYCAR Officiating heads into its second year.
Same Board, Same Roles INDYCAR Independent Officiating Board
Nair keeps the chair, with Evernham continuing as secretary and treasurer.
Nair is a 30-year veteran of the automotive and racing industries, with executive roles at Singer Group, Multimatic and Ford. Evernham was crew chief for three of Jeff Gordon’s NASCAR Cup Series titles before leading Dodge’s return to NASCAR.
The structure hasn’t changed: charter team owners vote in two members and the FIA appoints the third.
“Year two of INDYCAR Officiating will continue to build on our established baseline of process, independence, governance separation and transparency,” Nair said.
Elkins Confirmed for 2027
Elkins was selected in April 2026 and started in May, overseeing race control, stewards and technical inspection. He answers to the IOB alone, with no oversight from INDYCAR or Penske Entertainment Corp.
In June he brought in a formal three-steward model, which continues in 2027, and launched official post-event reports covering race control activity, penalties, incident reviews and technical inspection findings. Those reports are backed by a three-level technical penalty framework, a central stewarding log and a precedent library.
“We moved quickly but meticulously this year in instituting a more transparent process,” Elkins said. Next up for 2027: a rulebook review with INDYCAR, a clarified formal review and appeal process, and additional tools for race control.
“Alongside that, we are modernizing technical inspection, including scanning technology, with the aim of having it proven and in place before the IR-28 starts racing in 2028.”
Scot Elkins – INDYCAR Officiating Managing Director of Officiating
The FIA Link
Morgan fills the FIA seat and brings more than five decades of experience in global motorsport as a senior official, promoter, organiser and competitor. He also sits on the FIA World Motor Sport Council and advises the FIA president.
The IOB worked closely with the FIA throughout its first season. The FIA Officials Department helped evaluate INDYCAR’s stewarding practice and develop a stronger model.
All three board members attended the FIA Formula One Miami Grand Prix. They benchmarked race control, stewarding, technical inspection and communications against Formula 1 and Formula 2.
It ran both ways. FIA safety officials attended the Indianapolis 500 and met INDYCAR’s medical and rescue teams. Those operations stay under INDYCAR’s direction and authority.
“This collaboration goes far beyond officiating, it is about sharing knowledge and expertise across safety, sporting integrity and governance, while learning from one another to deliver a stronger championship,” FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said.
“INDYCAR remains committed to clear independence in the application of our rulebook and the IOB is instrumental in that effort,” INDYCAR president J. Douglas Boles said.
The 2027 season starts Sunday, March 7 on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.
NTT INDYCAR SERIES Official
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