Alex Palou Predicts Record-Breaking Speed with New Dallara IR28 Chassis After IMS Test

INDIANAPOLIS – Alex Palou, the reigning IndyCar powerhouse and two-time series champion, has issued a bold prediction following his first private test of the new Dallara IR28 chassis at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). According to the Chip Ganassi Racing driver, the next-generation car is not merely an incremental evolution but a significant leap forward in performance and drivability, one that could see longstanding track records tumble when it officially debuts for the 2028 season.

After spending years mastering the Dallara DW12, which has served as the sole chassis supplier for IndyCar since 2012, Palou noted immediate and profound differences in the handling, aerodynamic stability, and overall feel of the IR28.

“It feels smoother,” Palou said after stepping out of the cockpit, still wearing his fire suit. “The DW12 was a beast, and we learned how to wrestle it into submission over more than a decade. It required a certain kind of physicality and patience. But this new car… it’s more capable. It sticks to the track better through the corners, and the aero platform seems much more stable under braking and acceleration. I wouldn’t be surprised if we start breaking records sooner rather than later.”

A New Era for IndyCar: The End of the DW12 Dynasty

The IR28 represents a monumental milestone for the NTT IndyCar Series, marking the official end of the DW12’s historic 16-year run. The DW12 is widely regarded as one of the most successful and durable chassis in motorsport history, but its age had begun to show in terms of aerodynamic efficiency and adaptability to modern safety and hybrid powertrain requirements.

The new IR28 chassis has been designed from the ground up with several key objectives:

1. Enhanced Safety: Incorporating the latest FIA-standard crash structures and improved cockpit protection.

2. Aerodynamic Efficiency: Reducing drag while maintaining high levels of downforce, allowing for closer racing and easier overtaking.

3. Hybrid Integration: Seamlessly accommodating the series’ new hybrid power units, which add significant torque and complexity to the powertrain.

4. Driver Ergonomics: Improving visibility and comfort to reduce driver fatigue over long stints.

While specific technical details remain closely guarded by Dallara and IndyCar, early feedback from drivers suggests that the car generates more consistent downforce across a wider range of ride heights. This "platform stability" allows drivers to push harder for longer periods without the fear of sudden aerodynamic loss, a common challenge with the DW12 on bumpy street circuits.

Palou’s Perspective: Smoothness Equals Speed

For Palou, who is renowned for his silky-smooth driving style, exceptional tire management, and ability to conserve fuel, the new car’s characteristics appear to be a perfect match. Unlike some drivers who thrive on aggressive inputs, Palou excels when the car is predictable and responsive.

“It doesn’t fight you as much,” he explained, detailing the nuances of the test. “With the DW12, especially on older tires or on rough surfaces like Detroit or Long Beach, you had to manage the snap oversteer. You had to be gentle on the throttle exit. With the IR28, the rear end feels more planted. When the car is predictable, you can push harder. You can carry more speed into Turn 1 at Indy, or through the esses at Road America. That’s where the time comes from. It’s not just about peak horsepower; it’s about how much speed you can carry through the middle of the corner.”

Palou also noted that the new chassis feels lighter on the tires, which could lead to different strategic approaches during races. If tire degradation is reduced, teams might opt for longer stints or more aggressive compound choices, potentially shaking up the traditional two-stop strategies that have dominated recent seasons.

Breaking the Records?

IndyCar fans have grown accustomed to the tight competition of the DW12 era, but lap times have largely plateaued in recent years due to aerodynamic balancing, weight increases from safety devices, and engine parity regulations. Records at iconic tracks like Indianapolis (where qualifying speeds have hovered around 230-235 mph), Laguna Seca, and Mid-Ohio have stood for years, some dating back to the pre-DW12 era.

If Palou’s assessment holds, the IR28 could usher in a new age of speed. The combination of a more efficient aerodynamic package and the instant torque from the new hybrid systems could allow cars to accelerate out of corners faster than ever before.

However, breaking records also brings new challenges. Higher speeds mean greater physical demands on drivers, increased stress on brakes and suspension components, and the need for revised tire compounds from Firestone. Teams will need to recalibrate their setups from scratch, and engineers will face a steep learning curve in optimizing the hybrid deployment strategies.

The Broader Driver Consensus

While Palou’s comments are enthusiastic, he is not alone in his positive assessment. Other drivers who have participated in early shakedown tests have reportedly praised the car’s responsiveness and improved visibility. The new cockpit design offers better forward sightlines, a critical factor for safety and confidence on high-speed ovals and tight street circuits alike.

Nevertheless, some veterans have expressed caution. The DW12 was known for its durability and forgiving nature, which allowed for close, wheel-to-wheel racing. There is a concern among some quarters that a more aerodynamically sensitive car could make following another vehicle more difficult due to "dirty air" turbulence, potentially hindering overtaking. IndyCar and Dallara have stated that mitigating this effect was a primary design goal, using advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to shape the bodywork in a way that minimizes wake disruption.

The Road to 2028

Testing for the IR28 is expected to intensify over the coming months, with all teams receiving their allocations ahead of the 2028 preseason. The winter testing program will be crucial for teams to understand the nuances of the hybrid system integration and to develop baseline setups for various track types.

For now, the focus remains on development. But if the early tests at IMS are any indication, IndyCar is poised for a thrilling transformation. As Palou put it, “We’ve been driving the same basic car for a long time. This feels fresh. It feels fast. And honestly? It feels like fun again.”

The 2028 IndyCar season promises to be a landmark year, not just for the technology, but for the history books. If Palou is right, we may soon be witnessing a new benchmark for speed in American open-wheel racing, proving that even after more than a decade, innovation can still drive the sport forward. For fans, drivers, and teams alike, the future of IndyCar looks brighter and faster than ever.