Shell Starship Returns to NTT INDYCAR SERIES for 2026 Season

Energy-Efficient Class 8 Natural Gas Truck To Transport INDYCAR Administrative Trailer

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Shell and INDYCAR announced that Shell Starship, a natural gas-powered Class 8 truck, will return to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES transportation fleet for the 2026 season. The Starship, powered by a Cummins X15NTM natural gas engine and lubricated with Shell Rotella® natural gas engine oil, will transport the INDYCAR Administrative Trailer to nearly every race on the 2026 calendar.

Why it matters

The return of the Shell Starship to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES allows the companies to continue demonstrating the capabilities of advanced vehicle design, efficient powertrains, and renewable fuels in real-world logistics operations. This supports INDYCAR's sustainability goals and showcases solutions that can potentially scale beyond racing.

The details

In 2025, the Shell Starship joined the series following the Indianapolis 500 and became the first natural gas-powered Class 8 truck to operate within a national racing series fleet in North America. For the 2026 season, the plan is to increase the use of renewable natural gas (RNG) compared to the 2025 season. The Starship will have multiple marquee moments throughout the 2026 season, including leading the truck parade at the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, participating in the 500 Festival Parade ahead of the Indianapolis 500, and being featured in INDYCAR video game titles.

  • Shell Starship joined the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2025 following the Indianapolis 500.
  • Shell Starship will return to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for the 2026 season.

The players

Shell

An energy company that is collaborating with INDYCAR on the Shell Starship program and serving as the Official Fuel of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

INDYCAR

The sanctioning body for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, a premier open-wheel racing championship in North America.

Thomas Mueller

The general manager of Commercial Road Transport at Shell.

J. Douglas Boles

The president of INDYCAR.

Cummins

The manufacturer of the X15NTM natural gas engine that powers the Shell Starship.

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What they’re saying

“Shell Starship is more than a concept; it's a working demonstration of what's possible when advanced vehicle design, efficient powertrains and renewable fuels come together.”

— Thomas Mueller, General Manager of Commercial Road Transport at Shell

“INDYCAR is continuously evaluating ways to grow on and off the track – including how we move people and equipment. The Shell Starship program helps us assess advanced vehicle technologies and renewable fuel solutions in a meaningful way and support our sustainability goals, demonstrating solutions that can scale beyond racing.”

— J. Douglas Boles, President of INDYCAR

What’s next

The Shell Starship is expected to increase its use of renewable natural gas (RNG) compared to the 2025 season as it continues to operate within the NTT INDYCAR SERIES transportation fleet.

The takeaway

The return of the Shell Starship to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES demonstrates the potential of advanced vehicle design, efficient powertrains, and renewable fuels to support more sustainable logistics operations in motorsports and beyond.