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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

3 clusters · 36 sources · 5 days · First seen 6 days ago · Last updated 2 days ago

Categories: SPORTS

IndyCar IR-28 chassis development

Entities: IndyCar · Indianapolis Motor Speedway · Alexander Rossi · Dallara · Alex Palou

Overview

IndyCar confirmed that Dallara’s IR‑28 chassis will replace the DW12 for the 2028 season, offering a roughly 45 kg (100 lb) weight reduction, a 2.4‑liter twin‑turbo V6 from Chevrolet or Honda, a larger battery‑based hybrid system, an integrated aeroscreen and revised suspension and safety features.

The first on‑track evaluation took place on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on August 1‑2 2026. Drivers Alex Palou and Alexander Rossi each completed a two‑day session, testing basic functions such as steering, braking, the new damper package and overall handling. The prototype ran a mule 2.4‑liter V‑6 engine without the final power‑unit or a functional hybrid system, but demonstrated that the car starts, steers and stops as intended.

Rossi was the first to pilot the new chassis, describing the experience as “like Christmas morning.” He noted smooth performance, minimal vibration, improved cockpit ergonomics, more interior space and better cooling despite damp, rain‑affected conditions. Engineers recorded a single sensor replacement and a minor plumbing issue, both being addressed as part of development. The test showed no major technical problems, setting the stage for Palou’s run the following day and moving the program toward further testing before the full 2028 rollout.

The chassis also features new LED lighting and other design elements aimed at safety and performance ahead of the full 2028 rollout.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

"Mike O’Gara, IndyCar Vice President of Competition and Race Engineering, said a plumbing issue is being flushed out." (new)

vs

"The only technical issue encountered during the test was the replacement of a single sensor." (new)

The first claim states the only technical issue was a sensor replacement, while the second claim reports a plumbing issue being flushed out, which would be an additional technical problem.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[DISPUTED] The only technical issue encountered during the test was the replacement of a single sensor. (new)
[DISPUTED] Mike O’Gara, IndyCar Vice President of Competition and Race Engineering, said a plumbing issue is being flushed out. (new)
[● 3 SOURCES] Alexander Rossi was the first driver to test the new Dallara IR-28 chassis at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 1, 2026. (new)
[● 3 SOURCES] Rossi reported the car had smooth performance, minimal vibrations and improved cockpit ergonomics. (new)
[● 2 SOURCES] The test lasted roughly 50 minutes to an hour under damp conditions. (new)
[● 2 SOURCES] The IR-28 chassis will replace the IR-18 chassis and is slated to debut in the 2028 IndyCar season. (new)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The chassis uses a mule 2.4‑liter engine from the planned refresh and does not yet have a hybrid system. (new)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Dallara technicians and crew from Andretti Global, Dreyer & Reinbold, and Ed Carpenter Racing assisted in the test. (new)

Timeline

2 days ago

[SPORTS] 15 sources
Alexander Rossi completes first test of IndyCar's new IR-28 chassis at Indianapolis
Alexander Rossi completed the first on‑track test of IndyCar’s new Dallara IR‑28 chassis at Indianapolis, noting its smooth performance and minimal issues ahead of a 2028 debut.
4 days ago

[SPORTS] 3 sources
IndyCar tests new IR-28 chassis with Palou and Rossi at Indianapolis
Alex Palou and Alexander Rossi will test IndyCar's new IR-28 chassis at Indianapolis on Aug 1‑2, evaluating basic systems before the 2028 rollout.
6 days ago

[SPORTS] 23 sources
IndyCar unveils IR-28 chassis for 2028 season
IndyCar revealed the IR-28 chassis, 45 kg lighter, powered by 760‑hp V6s and a new hybrid system, to debut in 2028 with aims for tighter racing and new track records.

Sources

autoracing1.com · autosportwereld.be · capitalcampus.com · crimeandclues.com · diariomotor.com · es.motorsport.com · f1analisitecnica.com · formulapassion.it · formularapida.net · foxsports.com · freshnews.com · frontstretch.com · health.gov.on.ca · hoylosangeles.com · intensemans.fr · jalopnik.com · leadlap.de · motor-junkie.com · motorcyclesports.net · motorsport-magazin.com · motorsport.uol.com.br · motorsportweek.com · nationalgardening.com · nl.motorsport.com · nytimespost.com · observer-reporter.com · racingline.hu · roadandtrack.com · russiafocus.co.kr · speedsport.com · sportsoftheday.com · thesheffieldpress.com · todofierro.com.ar · troyrecord.com · wibc.com · wishtv.com

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history