Started in 1996 by Tony George the president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy Racing League (IRL) is the sanctioning body of the 16 race Indy Car Series that includes the Indianapolis 500. The IRL was created to be an open wheel series strictly for superspeedway ovals.

Indy cars are powered by a 3.0-liter, dual overhead cam, normally aspirated (no turbo) V-8. These engines can produce over 650 hp, and push speeds upwards of 220 mph. Unlike Champ cars, teams have a choice of several different engine and chassis manufacturers.

IRL has produced such champions as Tony Kanaan, Helio Castroneves, and Bryan Herta.

The 2005 Indy Car Series schedule is:

- Homestead-Miami; March 6, 2005
- Phoenix; March 19, 2005
- St. Petersburg; April 3, 2005
- Twin Ring Motegi (Japan); April 30, 2005
- Indianapolis 500; May 29, 2005
- Texas; June 11, 2005
- Richmond; June 25, 2005
- Kansas; July 3, 2005
- Nashville; July 16, 2005
- Milwaukee; July 24, 2005
- Michigan; July 31, 2005
- Kentucky; August 14, 2005
- Pikes Peak; August 21, 2005
- Infineon; August 28, 2005
- Chicagoland; September 11, 2005
- Watkins Glen; September 25, 2005
- California; October 16, 2005