By: Spencer Neff

July 28, 2026

On Tuesday morning, INDYCAR and Dallara unveiled design blueprints, powertrain updates and focal points for the upcoming IR-28 chassis. This will be the first all-new chassis utilized by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 16 years, when the Dallara DW-12 chassis was introduced.

“We are pleased to unveil renderings of the new NTT INDYCAR SERIES chassis that will take our sport into an exciting new era,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said.

“As you can imagine, a project of this magnitude takes an incredible amount of planning, collaboration and execution. I would like to thank all of our partners including Dallara, Chevrolet, Honda, Firestone and Shell, who have worked tirelessly to create a package that will enhance INDYCAR’s already incredible competition and industry-leading growth.

In 2015 and 2018, the series had bodywork modifications, the first of which being OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) designed- “aero kits”/ In 2018, the series reverted back to universal aero kits (UAK). Aeroscreens and hybrid technology were introduced in 2020 and 2024 with the UAK18-built chassis.

Improved bodywork and a sleeker design are listed among the focal points for the new design. The hybrid system for the new chassis will also feature a hybrid system 20 pounds lighter.

“With initial testing to begin this week, there is still plenty of work to do before 2028, but we are well on our way to showcasing a new era of INDYCAR, which will include enhanced wheel-to-wheel competition, track records, standards in raceability and new benchmarks in safety. We are confident the IR-28 is the ideal package to move INDYCAR forward for our teams, drivers, partners and fans.”

The powertrain for the upcoming chassis will be a 2.4-liter V6 engine (up front the 2.2-liter formula), capable of approximately 760 horsepower.

Testing will begin on Saturday and Sunday at the 2.439-mile, 14-turn Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.

“We are honored that INDYCAR has chosen Dallara once again,” Dallara USA Chief Executive Officer Stefano dePonti said.

“After more than a decade of partnership, their continued trust is the greatest recognition of our team’s efforts. This achievement demonstrates the dedication, expertise and collaboration of many individuals who worked tirelessly to create a car that meets today’s needs while looking toward the future. It also reflects Dallara’s ongoing commitment to investing in innovation and education, sharing the knowledge developed in motorsport with academia and beyond.”

Among the main focal points for the upcoming design is a lighter and faster car. The new chassis will be approximately100 pounds lighter. In the series’ Tuesday announcement, the explicit goal of breaking the one- and four-lap track records at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was mentioned.

Arie Luyendyk holds the current record with a one-lap speed of 237.498 and a four-lap average of 236.986 mph. Three of the last five Indianapolis 500 pole sitters have broken Scott Brayton’s pole record at the race (233.718 mph). Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin set the current four-lap pole record in 2024 (234.220 mph).

A year eaerlier, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou set the one-lap pole record at 235.131 mph.

“Everyone at Chevrolet is looking forward to this next era of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the debut of the IR-28 in 2028,” GM Vice President of Global Motorsports Competition Eric Warren said.

“This new car builds on more than a decade of collaboration with INDYCAR, and we’re confident the new 2.4-liter, twin-turbo V6 engine will deliver the performance, sound and excitement INDYCAR fans expect from Team Chevy — the same standard that has produced 16 manufacturer championships and 13 Indianapolis 500 victories.”

Chevrolet rejoined the series with the 2012 chassis and powertrian redesign.

“For more than 30 years, Honda has built upon its racing heritage as a key partner of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and we are excited to begin this next chapter with the IR-28 powered by our new American-made HRC V6 Hybrid powertrain,” Honda Racing Corporation USA President David Salters said.

“INDYCAR delivers some of the best racing on the planet, and this evolution of the formula creates new opportunities to enhance it—a lighter car, a more powerful hybrid powertrain, an even safer chassis and exciting chassis, and aerodynamic engineering challenges for our Honda associates and teams.

“Together, these advancements will help usher INDYCAR into a new era. Honda is proud to be part of that future, supported by the long-term commitment we made to the series earlier this year. We can’t wait to see the IR-28 on track entertaining our INDYCAR fans.”

Honda joined INDYCAR in 1994 and was the sole engine supplier from 2006 to 2011.

“Seeing the car for the first time made me even more excited about where INDYCAR is going,” Current NTT INDYCAR SERIES points leader and four-time Champion Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing said.

“The design is super cool and feels like a proper next step for the series while still looking like an INDYCAR SERIES car. I think the fans are going to love it, and as a driver I cannot wait to get behind the wheel. The most important thing is that we keep the close, fun racing that makes INDYCAR special, and from what I’ve seen, we’re heading in a really good direction.” 

Palou entered the series in 2020 with Dale Coyne Racing, the same year the aero screen was first implemented.

“The car is awesome,” 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi added. Rossi, who currently drives the No. 20 car for Ed Carpenter Racing, has been with the series the last 11 seasons.

“We all wanted a new, modern-day car that is lighter and looks futuristic and fast but still has all of the incredible safety advancements that INDYCAR is known for. This does all of those things. There are still a lot of things to work through in terms of on-track testing and how it reacts to the different types of environments it will be exposed to, but from a visual standpoint, it’s incredible. This is something people will be excited about.” 

“There is a ‘wow’ factor. The first thing that struck me is that it has more room in the cockpit and will fit differently-sized drivers, which is really good,” 2026 Indianapolis 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist added.

“Secondly, it definitely has the INDYCAR DNA, which was a worry for me that it wouldn’t look like an INDYCAR SERIES car. This definitely does. It also has an aggressive look with an integrated aeroscreen and a car that addresses a lot of little tweaks that drivers have asked for. Dallara has delivered on almost everything. I’m super excited for the future.” 

Rosenqvist, who has run INDYCAR since 2019, will return to Arrow McLaren in 2027 after three seasons with Meyer Shank Racing. Further testing dates and media availability for the IR-28 will be available at a later time.

Header Image By INDYCAR