Longtime IndyCar Technical Director Kevin Blanch Retires After 555 Races

BusinessSportsMoneyLongtime IndyCar Technical Director Kevin Blanch Retires After 555 RacesByBruce Martin,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I have been chasing race cars since the first Michigan 500 in 1981.Follow AuthorJun 04, 2026, 10:48am EDTKevin Blanch, who has retired as INDYCAR Technical Director. INDYCAR PhotoOne of INDYCAR’s most visible officiating chiefs is calling it a career as Technical Director Kevin Blanch is retiring.Blanch is a longtime and respected member of the IndyCar technical team and the technical director of IndyCar Independent Officiating. Nick Allen, who has served as the technical inspection manager for the NTT IndyCar Series, has been named technical director for IndyCar Officiating. Allen was hired in January after 20 years of experience as an IndyCar race team mechanic and chief mechanic. “I have been contemplating retirement from the IndyCar technical side for a while,” Blanch said. “Last winter when IndyCar Officiating was formed, I was asked to continue in my role with an emphasis on completing a very hectic Month of May and the Indianapolis 500 and am glad I did.“After adding it up, I have been a part of IndyCar for 36 years and have been involved in 555 straight races. I have simply poured my heart and soul into the sport I love and am very proud of the team I have worked alongside for over two decades. This is a very difficult decision, but I feel like now is the right time to take a step back.” Kevin Blanch Had A Long History With IndyCarBlanch joined IndyCar in 2003 after serving six-plus seasons with Panther Racing, where he served as the team’s crew chief. During his tenure there, the team won two IndyCar Series championships and earned 11 victories and five pole positions. MORE FOR YOUWith IndyCar, Blanch – nicknamed “Rocket” – added his experience and expertise as he oversaw the technical inspection process and provided technical oversight and ensured compliance of safety, ae...