IndyCar tests new IR-28 chassis with Palou and Rossi at Indianapolis

Alex Palou and Alexander Rossi will drive the prototype IR-28 chassis at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on Saturday and Sunday, August 1‑2. The two‑day session is the first on‑track evaluation of the 2028 IndyCar chassis, allowing engineers to collect basic performance data on steering, braking, the new damper system and overall handling.

The test car runs a 2.4‑liter V‑6 engine that was developed earlier and does not yet have the final Chevrolet or Honda power units or a functional hybrid system. IndyCar’s Vice President of Competition and Race Engineering Mike O’Gara said the focus is on confirming that the car starts, steers and stops correctly before lap‑time goals are pursued. The chassis is about 100 lb lighter than the current model and features new LED lighting and other design elements intended to improve safety and performance ahead of the full 2028 rollout.