An IndyCar can typically complete between 30 to 50 laps on a full tank of fuel, depending heavily on the type of track. On a high-speed oval like Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it's closer to 30-35 laps. On a slower, more technical road course, that number can increase to around 45-50 laps. The exact number is a critical strategic calculation for every race team.
The primary factor is fuel mileage, which varies dramatically with throttle usage. IndyCar's current 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engines use a standard fuel cell capacity of 18.5 gallons. However, how quickly that fuel is burned is the real question.
Key Factors Affecting Fuel Range:
- Track Type: This is the biggest variable. On ovals, drivers spend long stretches at full throttle, leading to higher fuel consumption. Road and street courses involve frequent braking and acceleration, which can sometimes lead to better mileage if drivers use a fuel-saving "lift-and-coast" technique.
- Engine Mode: Teams can adjust engine mapping to prioritize power or fuel economy. Running a richer fuel mixture for more power burns fuel faster.
- Driving Style: An aggressive driver who brakes later and accelerates harder will use more fuel than a smoother driver managing their resources.
- Drafting: Following closely behind another car (drafting) reduces aerodynamic drag, which can significantly improve fuel efficiency on oval tracks.
The following table illustrates how fuel mileage translates to lap counts at different types of circuits, based on a standard 18.5-gallon tank.
| Track Type | Approximate Fuel Mileage | Estimated Laps per Tank (18.5 gal) |
|---|
| Superspeedway (e.g., Indianapolis) | 1.5 - 1.8 mpg | 28 - 33 laps |
| Short Oval (e.g., Iowa) | 1.8 - 2.0 mpg | 33 - 37 laps |
| Road Course (e.g., Road America) | 2.0 - 2.2 mpg | 37 - 41 laps |
| Street Circuit (e.g., Long Beach) | 1.9 - 2.1 mpg | 35 - 39 laps |
Ultimately, fuel strategy—deciding when to "stretch" a fuel run or when to push—is a core element of race winning. Teams use real-time data to calculate precisely how many laps they can go, often trying to make it one lap farther than their competitors.
