Shell Shifts Its Renewable IndyCar Fuel Sourcing to U.S. for 2027

August 21, 2026

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by Marshall Pruett (Racer Magazine) Shell is shifting the acquisition of waste materials used to manufacture its 100 percent renewable IndyCar Series fuel from mostly international sourcing to the birthplace of the series it supports.

“The ethanol feedstock used in the updated formulation will now be domestically sourced from Indiana, the home of both the IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” the series announced. “By drawing on Indiana’s rich agricultural and motorsports heritage, the program creates a powerful connection between the heartland communities that help produce the fuel and the world-class racing that showcases it on track each May in Indianapolis and at venues across North America. The reconfigured formula will debut in 2027.

“The updated fuel delivers at least a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the Renewable Fuel Standard average gasoline baseline,” the series noted. “The fuel will continue to meet the performance and durability requirements of the IndyCar Series and its engine manufacturers.” READ MORE

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Excerpt from IndyStar: IndyCar's fuel formula will change ahead of the 2027 season. Starting next year, Shell's 100% Renewable Race Fuel will be altered, incorporating domestically sourced renewable ethanol.

The ethanol will be produced from the waste stream of a grain mixture-based distilling process while being blended with additional renewable components. The ethanol feedstock for the formula will now be domestically sourced from Indiana. READ MORE

Excerpt from SBNATION: IndyCar was the first racing series in the United States to move to renewable fuel, introducing the current formula for the 2023 season.

The fuel will be sourced in Indiana, and processed in Illinois, making it a completely domestic product.

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At a press conference Friday morning, leading IndyCar figures discussed the news.

“This is the next formulation, the product will be sourced in Indiana and processed in Illinois. Very close to home for IndyCar and our teams, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Just another super development … that we hope will keep us at the forefront of sustainability,” said Mark Miles, president and CEO, Penske Entertainment Corporation.

“When you hear about it, it was insane to me to hear about how this is possible,” said driver David Malukas. “For me, it’s all very close to home and very special.”

The fuel itself is not available for everyday vehicles, but the technology behind the updated formula can provide opportunities for everyday road vehicles going forward.

“Now, this product isn’t going to go into your everyday car, but all of the scientific research and the engineering that goes behind this certainly does help us develop products that do fuel everyday cars,” said Colette Hirstius, president, Shell USA. “And that’s an important part of what we do, because really, we’re very focused on providing the products that customers need today.” READ MORE

Excerpt from IndyCar: Since 2023, every NTT INDYCAR SERIES race has run on Shell's 100% Renewable Race Fuel*, making it the first major U.S.-based motorsports series powered by renewable race fuel. The updated formulation reflects the ongoing evolution of the program and the shared vision of INDYCAR and Shell to advance fuel technology through competition.

What They Are Saying

"From the beginning, INDYCAR has viewed racing as a platform for innovation. This next evolution of our renewable race fuel program demonstrates the continued progress that can be made when industry leaders work together to develop high-performance solutions that help advance sustainability goals without compromising competition." – Mark Miles, president and CEO, Penske Entertainment Corp.

“For decades, Shell and INDYCAR have worked together to advance innovation through motorsports’ demanding testing environments. That collaboration continues today with renewable race fuel engineered to help deliver the performance and reliability required for motorsports while incorporating renewable feedstocks sourced in the United States.” – Colette Hirstius, president, Shell USA

“Indiana is an agricultural and racing powerhouse, and this exciting partnership aligns two of our state's proudest industries. By using renewable ethanol sourced here in Indiana to fuel INDYCAR, we’re supporting Hoosier farmers and producers while showcasing Indiana innovation on a global stage. I’m proud to see Indiana agriculture powering the future of racing.” – Todd Huston (R-Fishers), Indiana House speaker

“Shell has been a terrific partner for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and their 100% renewable race fuel has set the standard around the world for as the first renewable and sustainable fuel in racing. To now know that the fuel that powers the series will be sourced in my home state makes the partnership even more powerful to me. Indiana loves racing, and the farmers in our state now have an even deeper connection to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, thanks to Shell and their innovation.” – Ed Carpenter, owner, ECR; 23-time Indianapolis 500 starter as a driver

"The level of dedication that Shell has for both Team Penske and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is amazing. They are continually working to provide the most advanced products, and this new fuel is a continuation of that philosophy. There is not a better time to announce this change to corn that is grown and processed in the Midwest than at this patriotic Freedom 250 race weekend. As an Illinois native, it is another reason why I am proud to work with Shell." – David Malukas, driver, No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet

*The Renewable Race Fuel is blended from components derived from biogenic wastes and byproducts that meet the renewable fuel definition in the Renewable Fuel Standard. The definition for renewable fuel can be found here: eCFR :: 40 CFR Part 80 Subpart M -- Renewable Fuel Standard. The Renewable Race Fuel is not available at Shell retail stations.

**Shell’s 100% renewable fuel delivers at least 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the Renewable Fuel Standard average gasoline baseline. Renewable fuel as defined in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS, 40 CFR Part 80 Subpart M). Reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions relative to 2005 baseline average gasoline as defined in the RFS. Shell internal estimations for Shell Race Fuel based on data provided by component suppliers and parameters extracted from the Ca-GREET 4.0 model. READ MORE

Excerpt from AutoAction: “This next evolution of our renewable race fuel program demonstrates the continued progress that can be made when industry leaders work together to develop high performance solutions that help advance sustainability goals without compromising competition.”

No compromise on performance

Shell USA president Colette Hirstius said developing renewable products without sacrificing the demands of competition remained central to the program.

“For decades, Shell and IndyCar have worked together to advance innovation through motorsport’s demanding testing environments,” Hirstius said.

“That collaboration continues today with renewable race fuel engineered to help deliver the performance and reliability required for motorsport while incorporating renewable feedstocks sourced in the United States.”

The existing renewable fuel program has been used across every IndyCar race since the start of the 2023 season.

For 2027, the claimed minimum greenhouse gas reduction increases to 70% against the specified gasoline baseline, while the move to Indiana sourced ethanol gives the program a stronger domestic connection.

Indiana House speaker Todd Huston said the link between racing and the state’s agricultural sector was significant.

“Indiana is an agricultural and racing powerhouse, and this exciting partnership aligns two of our state’s proudest industries,” Huston said.

“By using renewable ethanol sourced here in Indiana to fuel IndyCar, we’re supporting Hoosier farmers and producers while showcasing Indiana innovation on a global stage.”

Racing powered by the Heartland

For Ed Carpenter, an Indiana native, team owner and 23 time Indianapolis 500 starter, that local connection adds another dimension.

“Indiana loves racing, and the farmers in our state now have an even deeper connection to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, thanks to Shell and their innovation,” Carpenter said.

The updated fuel will make its competition debut when the 2027 IndyCar season begins, continuing a program that has now moved beyond proving renewable race fuel can work at the top level of American open wheel racing. READ MORE