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INDYCAR IR-28 Set for Sebring Test Next Week
Highlights
- IR-28 chassis testing continues at Sebring International Raceway next week.
- Alex Palou and Alexander Rossi to test IR-28 on October 12-13.
- Sebring’s mixed surfaces offer varied conditions similar to street circuits.
- Kyle Kirkwood and Scott McLaughlin to conduct tire tests concurrently.
- Chip Ganassi Racing received congratulatory letter from former President Trump.
- IR-28 aims for full competitive introduction in the 2028 INDYCAR season.
INDYCAR’s new IR-28 returns to the track next week at Sebring International Raceway, its first mileage beyond Indianapolis, as Alex Palou and Alexander Rossi evaluate baseline performance on October 12-13.
Sebring marks the IR-28’s first test away from Indianapolis.
Palou tests Monday for Chip Ganassi Racing, with Rossi running Tuesday for Ed Carpenter Racing. Palou is the five-time, reigning champion; Rossi won the 2016 Indianapolis 500.
Sebring’s blend of abrasive asphalt, concrete slabs, and heavy bumps mimics street-course demands, offering valuable correlation for ride quality, compliance, and traction over uneven surfaces.
The program follows initial outings at Indianapolis, starting on the road course in August before a first oval run in early September to establish cooling, aero, and systems baselines.
[pb_fervogear_custom]Next week’s objectives center on aero-mechanical balance over bumps, braking stability, and drivability, with engineers targeting setup windows transferable to street venues and low-grip road courses.[/pb_fervogear_custom]
Next week’s objectives center on aero-mechanical balance over bumps, braking stability, and drivability, with engineers targeting setup windows transferable to street venues and low-grip road courses.
In parallel, Kyle Kirkwood and Scott McLaughlin conduct Firestone tire development in current-spec cars, providing reference data. McLaughlin’s run links to Team Penske’s ongoing program.
Concurrent Firestone tire testing provides a vital performance reference for IR-28 data.
The IR-28 remains on a multi-year path to full competition in 2028, informing budgets, tooling, and simulator models across teams, alongside strategic moves like Arrow McLaren’s engine planning.
Ganassi’s momentum is underlined by Palou’s fifth title, which delivered the team’s 18th series championship. Team owner Chip Ganassi recently received a congratulatory letter from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Chip Ganassi Racing holds a record 18 INDYCAR SERIES titles.
Feedback from Palou and Rossi now steers hardware revisions and software calibration, while Firestone’s work frames tire allocations. Together, these elements shape reliability and setup direction before winter testing.
As the IR-28’s mileage builds across varied venues, teams watch correlation closely. The Sebring runs should clarify street-circuit readiness and expose any durability issues ahead of the next test window.
Visual Summary
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Indianapolis
Debut: Aug – Road Course
Debut: Sept – Oval
Debut: Sept – Oval
Sebring Test: Oct 12-13
First time IR-28 leaves Indy
Palou (10/12) | Rossi (10/13)
Palou (10/12) | Rossi (10/13)
Next Up
More circuit
testing
2028 Launch
testing
2028 Launch
Alex Palou
5x IndyCar Champ
Alexander Rossi
2016 Indy 500 Winner
Ganassi: 18 INDYCAR Titles
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Letter of Congrats from President Trump
Letter of Congrats from President Trump
🔍 Also: Kirkwood & McLaughlin test new Firestone tires at Sebring
Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.
