A New Era for IndyCar: Series Unveils All-New Race Car for the 2028 Season

Faster and saver

INDIANAPOLIS — The NTT IndyCar Series has officially unveiled its next-generation race car, marking one of the most significant technological advancements in American open-wheel racing in more than a decade.

The new Dallara IR-28 chassis is scheduled to make its competitive debut with the 2028 IndyCar season, replacing the platform that has served the series since 2012 and formed the foundation of today’s IR-18 race car.

For Indiana—home to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indianapolis 500, Dallara USA, and countless motorsports suppliers—the announcement represents another milestone in the state’s position as the racing capital of the world.

Among the most notable changes are a lighter chassis, redesigned aerodynamics intended to improve wheel-to-wheel competition, and an updated hybrid powertrain that combines a twin-turbocharged V6 engine with a new battery-based hybrid system.

Series officials say the redesign is aimed at reducing turbulent air behind the cars, allowing drivers to follow more closely and increasing passing opportunities on road courses, street circuits, and superspeedways alike.

The new chassis is also expected to feature:

• Reduced overall weight for improved acceleration and braking.

• Enhanced driver safety through updated crash structures.

• Improved cockpit ergonomics and cooling.

• More efficient aerodynamic packaging.

• New electronic systems that simplify in-race chassis adjustments.

  
  

While final performance numbers will continue to evolve during testing, officials expect the IR-28 to produce significantly more combined horsepower through its internal combustion engine and hybrid system while delivering faster lap times and more exciting racing.

Testing of prototype cars is expected to continue over the next two seasons before teams begin preparing for the 2028 championship.

Economic Impact for Indiana

The announcement carries significance beyond the race track.

Indiana’s motorsports industry supports thousands of jobs in engineering, advanced manufacturing, machining, composites, electronics, logistics, and research. Companies throughout central Indiana are expected to participate in the development and production of components for the new platform.

The unveiling also reinforces Indianapolis’ role as the center of American open-wheel racing, with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway remaining the world’s most recognizable venue for IndyCar competition.

Looking Ahead

Fans will have to wait until 2028 to see the new machine compete for victory in the Indianapolis 500, but anticipation is already building.

If the IR-28 performs as intended, the next generation of IndyCar racing could feature faster speeds, closer competition, and more opportunities for dramatic passes—precisely the combination fans have long hoped to see at the Brickyard and across the IndyCar schedule.

For Indiana, the unveiling is another reminder that innovation in motorsports continues to be driven from the Hoosier State, where engineering excellence and racing tradition continues.