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IndyCar’s Speed Shift: Abandoning Old Guard, Embracing New Era in Racing Technology

By 16/04/2026 2 min read 49 views

IndyCar’s Speed Shift: Abandoning Old Guard, Embracing New Era in Racing Technology

The current IndyCar chassis has been in use for over a decade, serving the series since 2012. The IR-05 was considered to be practically vintage at the time of its introduction, with many calling for a change to be made. Now, that chassis is twice as old and it’s well past time for a new one.

A Call for Change

The teams, drivers, and fans were all eager for a change to be made. The series responded by looking into replacing the Dallara DW12 chassis with something new. However, pandemic losses and series stability pushed this off for a few years.

New Developments

Recently, IndyCar put forth plans to start testing prototypes of the new Dallara-built IR28 chassis this summer. The series hasn’t yet finalized the 2028 engine regulations, so it’ll roll onward using the current-spec 2.2-liter turbocharged V6 engines and 100 horsepower Mahle-supplied ERS hybrid boost units.

Engine Regulations

The exact drivetrain specifications for the 2028 season are still being decided upon by IndyCar, Honda, and General Motors (and as-yet-unnamed additional potential manufacturers). Rumors suggest that at least twice as much hybrid power will be added to the system, bringing the total horsepower up to a staggering 900.

Safety Concerns

With such an increase in power comes concerns about safety. The new chassis must be designed with safety and robustness in mind. Making the car slightly smaller and lighter than its predecessor will also be priorities.

Doug Boles Weighs In

“We’ve had very regular meetings, both virtually and in person, at basically every event this year,” IndyCar president Doug Boles told Racer. “Honda and Chevrolet and the series are aligned on the importance of getting those rules decided quickly. And I feel really good about the progress and the collaborative spirit of both Honda and Chevrolet to get us there.”

Chassis Testing

This summer’s chassis tests will be simple validation tests so that Dallara can begin large-scale production of the carbon composite components ahead of their 2028 debut. These tests will focus on proving aerodynamic components, suspension arms, and center tubs.

  • Aerodynamic components
  • Suspension arms
  • Center tubs

Conclusion

The wait is finally over, as IndyCar will move forward with developing the new chassis. This summer’s testing will pave the way for a new era in IndyCar racing. With increased power and advanced technology comes excitement and anticipation for what’s to come.

  • Excitement about increased power
  • Anticipation of new technologies
  • Potential for faster lap times

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