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It continued with Honda entering the IndyCar Series in 2003, and will further develop into the next decade. Honda Performance Development, American Honda's headquarters for professional auto racing operations, has extended its relationship with the sanctioning Indy Racing League through 2013.

"The spirit is high, and it's something we want to keep that going," HPD President Erik Berkman said during a news conference May 23 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Since becoming the sole engine supplier to the IndyCar Series for the 2006 season, Honda Performance Development officials have hung their collective hat on the Honda Indy V-8's reliability and performance. In 2007, there wasn't a single engine-related retirement from the Indianapolis 500. Over the 2007 season, 36 drivers recorded 166,608 miles with one in-race engine failure.

"We've evolved the design to a point that we have a good product that is better than when we started," said Berkman, who moved into the role in January. "Not that we didn't think that would happen, but there were good surprises along the way."

Overall, including its 65 victories in the CART Champ Car series from 1994-2002, Honda has 128 race victories in North American open-wheel competition. Another will be added May 25 at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"We've had a great relationship with Honda beginning on track in 2003, and we've seen unparalleled performance and reliability out of an engine manufacturer," said Brian Barnhart, president of the competition and operations divisions of the Indy Racing League. "They've done a marvelous job providing outstanding equipment. We appreciate their willingness to grow the IndyCar Series on and off the racetrack. It provides continuity and stability for us. It enables us to tell our participating teams and potential teams another piece of the puzzle long term."

Honda Performance Development, a subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., is located in a 123,000-square-foot facility in Santa Clarita, Calif., that houses comprehensive engine research and development operations, five dynamometer test cells, a machine shop, electronic labs, and race engine preparation and rebuild areas.

"Fifteen years ago, Honda Performance Development was created to launch Indy car racing for us, and now with unification and the upcoming (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) centennial, we have a great opportunity to launch into this second century of open-wheel racing with a bang," Berkman said.

The Indy Racing League will play host to a manufacturers' roundtable in late June to openly discuss future chassis and engine rules.