Alexander Rossi completed the first superspeedway test of the next-generation IndyCar package at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, logging crucial baseline laps for Chevrolet teams.
Navigating high temperatures around the 2.5-mile circuit on Wednesday, the driver evaluated the lighter IR-28 chassis. Dallara has revised the aerodynamics to reduce trailing wake turbulence and improve high-speed stability.
The cautious initial programme contrasts with the immediate weekend pressures facing the modern grid. Such demands were clear when Rinus VeeKay secured a milestone finish at Laguna Seca.
Speaking to motorsport.com, Rossi confirmed the package behaved predictably rather than delivering any unexpected handling quirks.
“We got through some basic mechanical and aero changes to kind of understand the offsets that they’re going to present to us in a couple of years, and there was no surprise. It was really pretty standard,” he said.
Measured Evolution For Dallara Package
IndyCar is deliberately avoiding disruptive re-engineering. Vice president of competition Mike O’Gara told SPEED SPORT the series is adopting a “crawl, walk, run” methodology for the 2028 machinery.
This stable outlook provides a welcome shift from the volatile regulatory disputes seen in other series, such as the stewarding debates surrounding Yuki Tsunoda in Formula 1.
O’Gara noted that Dallara seamlessly transferred existing knowledge into the new design.
“The car is doing everything it’s supposed to,” he added.
Three-time defending champion Álex Palou takes over testing duties for Chip Ganassi Racing on Thursday. The Honda driver will provide a secondary perspective to pair against the opening telemetry trends as development continues towards 2028.
