IndyCar CEO Mark Miles tells Autoweek there are "at least three large international companies" negotiating to become the IndyCar Series sponsor next season.

Once a new television contract for IndyCar is announced, Miles will dive back into negotiations to land a new series sponsor to replace Verizon at the end of its contract in 2018.

Some of the names that have been floated include some broad-based international companies. Miles, however, chose not to confirm the identity of those potential sponsors.

"We have several companies that are interested in talking with us about title sponsorship," Miles said. "Some are internationally based. All do business in the United States. We need to get this media announcement out (on the TV package) and then focus on that.

"It’s very large and important international companies. I can say there are at least three large international companies that are part of the conversation."

Miles stressed that even if a new series sponsor is from another country, it would join the series because of its large business interests in the United States.

"No company is going to invest in a meaningful sponsorship with us if they don’t have a lot of business interest in the United States," Miles said. "Where they are headquartered is not the point; it’s where they do business."

Miles and IndyCar are hoping to capitalize on a recent positive surge by the series. According to Miles, from 2013-2017 there was a 38 percent increase in live television broadcasts while other sports TV ratings are declining. Other metrics, such as digital media, also show an increase, according to Miles.

Last Sunday’s season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was highly successful with a record crowd, record-breaking passing throughout the field with a body kit and an increase in TV ratings from last year.

More importantly, the conversation about the series is more about the future than looking back at its past.

"We certainly like where we are," Miles said. "We are never going to be satisfied, but it does feel like there is a great, positive outlook in the paddock, with our fans and great preseason coverage from the media, so we feel really good where we are.

"One of the things that strikes me -- this is my sixth year in St. Pete and in the beginning, the sport was so prone to looking backwards. It is one thing in my mind to celebrate our champions and our incredible accomplishments on the track in our history, but it is another thing to always be mired in looking in the rearview mirror. Now it feels to me it’s all about anticipation and that’s about growth and it feels really good."

Among the big news that came out of St. Pete is the car count for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 is expected to reach 35 to 36 cars. Does Miles guarantee a Bump Day in 2018?

"Yes," he said emphatically. "I think we have 34 now, and it will be as high as 35 to 36. It may not be the Bump Days of old, but somebody will be on edge trying to figure out if they are going to be in the race."

It is estimated that it costs $500,000 to $1 million to have a car capable of making the Indianapolis 500 starting lineup. Companies and teams have been reluctant to make that gamble in the past once the 33-car starting lineup was filled in the entry list.

"It depends on the program if they have to buy a new car," Miles explained. "It’s a lot of money. We’ve had limitations of the two OEMs at the moment (Chevrolet and Honda).

"We don’t necessarily long for the day when there are 50 cars trying to get in. That was fantastic. I like that it’s another opportunity for fans to focus on the cars and drivers that are integral to IndyCar at the moment. It’s exciting when others are trying to get in.

"It’s always been expensive if you don’t get in. Just ask Roger Penske in 1995."

Miles took over as Hulman & Company CEO in December 2012. Since then, he has helped put the company on a solid business foundation. Once that was solidified, he has worked on growing the series.

The Verizon IndyCar Series of 2018 is in a much better place than it was in 2012.

"We are delighted," Miles said. "I think it’s clear. It doesn’t matter as much what I say about it as it does owners and drivers and broadcasters and sponsors, and fans are saying about it. It’s all pretty positive. I don’t talk about it that much because it matters more what the stakeholders think, and we are always going to be focused on what’s next."

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