PFC Brakes reduced caliper piston bore size by roughly 22% in a new brake package introduced for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500, addressing recurring pit-entry brake issues in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The update is part of a broader push across North American motorsports this season, spanning INDYCAR, INDY NXT, NASCAR, IMSA, GT World Challenge America, and grassroots asphalt and dirt racing. PFC Brakes serves as the official brake supplier for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, placing it at the center of one of the most competitive championships in the world. The company also continues to expand its presence in short track and international NASCAR competition.
Highlights
- New INDYCAR caliper package cuts piston bore size by about 22% to resolve pit-entry brake issues
- Myles Rowe scored a last-to-first victory at World Wide Technology Raceway in INDY NXT
- The ZR105 caliper is entering its final development stages for asphalt and dirt racing
- PFC Brakes remains the only purpose-built race caliper provider in NASCAR’s Mexico and Canada series
New INDYCAR Caliper Package Addresses Pit-Entry Braking
James Borner, product innovation manager for PFC Brakes, said the updated systems were introduced to eliminate issues with pit-entry brake zones that have surfaced in the series in recent years, a challenge some drivers have faced in past runnings of the race. The biggest change came in the caliper piston bores, which PFC reduced by around 22%.
Borner added that the change, paired with a mandated larger master cylinder, allows for reduced pedal travel while giving teams additional pad retraction for the lowest possible drag. He said the package maintains a safe pedal feel without knockback or the need for drivers to pump the pedal to stop the cars, and that additional piston changes improved the consistency of the pad retraction systems.
The new systems were first tested with two teams before being evaluated by all INDYCAR teams during the IMS Open Test.
INDY NXT and the Road to Indy
PFC also serves as the official brake supplier of the INDY NXT by Firestone series. The season has featured close competition, highlighted by Myles Rowe’s last-to-first victory at World Wide Technology Raceway. Rookie Alessandro de Tullio and Enzo Fittipaldi have also drawn attention with strong performances as the season progresses.
Andersen Promotions’ USF Pro, USF Pro 2000, and USF Juniors series are seeing strong growth in 2026, and F4 U.S. and Formula Regional Americas have produced highly competitive racing that feeds the same driver-development pipeline.
NASCAR and Short Track Racing
PFC Brakes is a leading brake pad manufacturer in the NASCAR Cup Series and also supplies pads and discs to top teams in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Craftsman Truck Series. The company is the only purpose-built race caliper provider in NASCAR’s international series in Mexico and Canada, and it continues to expand those partnerships.
Beyond NASCAR’s national series, PFC Brakes has provided coast-to-coast trackside support in 2026 across ASA STARS, the CARS Tour, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Late Model Stocks, World of Outlaws Late Models, Super DIRTcar Series, and Trans Am. The ZR105 caliper is entering its final development stages alongside several new caliper platforms and dirt-specific pad compounds nearing release, and the company continues building out its dealer and support network.
IMSA and GT World Challenge America
PFC Brakes also supports teams competing in IMSA and GT World Challenge America, which the company says continue to deliver strong performances across the continent in both endurance and sprint competition.
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