Alexander Rossi Shares Important Updates on IndyCar’s Latest Testing of New Components for the New 2028 Car at Indianapolis Motor Speedway That Left Onlookers Stunned by the Speeds It Achieved
Indianapolis, IN – In the crisp autumn air of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a pivotal chapter in IndyCar’s evolution unfolded last month, drawing gasps from engineers, team principals, and a select group of spectators. On October 21 and 22, 2025, the legendary 2.5-mile oval hosted a closed-door testing session that pushed the boundaries of open-wheel racing technology. At the center of it all was Alexander Rossi, the 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner and current Ed Carpenter Racing driver, who emerged from the cockpit with revelations that have electrified the paddock. His firsthand account of blistering laps exceeding 230 mph in a prototype-laden machine has not only stunned onlookers but also ignited speculation about the series’ bold leap into 2028.
Rossi, known for his analytical precision and unyielding passion for innovation, piloted a Dallara chassis modified with experimental components destined for IndyCar’s next-generation car. The session, shrouded in secrecy with non-disclosure agreements binding participants, focused on two game-changing elements: advanced brake calipers and spec damper systems. These aren’t mere tweaks; they’re foundational to a chassis overhaul aimed at slashing weight, enhancing safety, and unleashing unprecedented performance. “It felt like the car was alive in a way we’ve never seen,” Rossi shared in a recent interview with motorsport journalists. “The integration of these parts allowed us to carry speeds through the corners that bordered on unbelievable. We’re talking sustained velocities that made the telemetry screens light up like a fireworks show.”
The testing agenda was meticulously orchestrated. Joining Rossi was fellow Indy 500 victor Takuma Sato of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, whose dual-day involvement underscored the session’s gravity. While Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou handled Firestone’s superspeedway tire evaluations on the freshly repaved Turn 2 exit—addressing long-standing bumps that plagued recent races—Rossi and Sato delved deeper into mechanical frontiers. Their cars, fitted with torque sensors on the rear axles for real-time data capture, roared onto the track under overcast skies. Tuesday’s light rain delayed proceedings, but by Wednesday, conditions cleared, allowing uninterrupted runs that climaxed in a series of high-speed qualification simulations.
What left onlookers— a mix of IndyCar officials, Dallara engineers, and IMS staff—visibly stunned were the raw numbers. Unofficial lap times, corroborated by Rossi’s post-test debrief, clocked averages north of 225 mph, with peak sections brushing 232 mph on the straights. “I’ve driven this place in anger during the 500, but this was different,” Rossi recounted. “The new brakes eliminated drag entirely; no fade, no vibration—just pure, progressive stopping power that let us brake later and deeper into the turns.” The calipers, engineered with lightweight carbon-ceramic composites and adaptive cooling vents, reduced unsprung weight by nearly 15 pounds per corner. This not only improved handling but also amplified straight-line acceleration, as the car shed ballast without compromising structural integrity.
The spec dampers, however, sparked more debate. Currently, teams invest heavily in bespoke suspension tuning, a hotbed of innovation amid IndyCar’s spec-heavy ecosystem. Proposing a standardized damper for 2028 aims to level the playing field, curb escalating costs, and trim overall vehicle weight—a core mandate for the new chassis. Yet, initial feedback was mixed. “They performed adequately, but lacked the finesse of our current setups,” Rossi admitted. “IndyCar’s just doing due diligence here. If we can refine them to match or exceed team-developed units without adding bulk, it’ll be a win for everyone.” Sato echoed this, noting the prototypes’ stability at triple-digit entry speeds into the oval’s banking, though he flagged minor oscillations under heavy load.
Beyond the tech, the test served as a litmus for the Speedway’s ongoing facelift. The repave of Turn 2, milling and resurfacing 30 meters of asphalt, smoothed out the notorious “bump zone” that had turned qualifying into a high-wire act. Drivers reported seamless transitions, with Rossi praising how it allowed aggressive lines without unsettling the chassis. This synergy between track and technology previewed a harmonious 2026 return for Phoenix International Raceway, where Rossi is slated for further evaluation alongside Scott Dixon in early November.
Rossi’s updates arrive at a transformative juncture for IndyCar. The 2028 car, a collaborative brainchild of Dallara, Honda, and Chevrolet, promises hybrid powertrains with twin-turbo V6 engines and low-voltage energy recovery systems. President Mark Miles has teased a public unveiling by mid-2026, but whispers from the test suggest accelerated timelines. “These components aren’t hypotheticals anymore,” Rossi emphasized. “They’re the blueprint for safer, faster racing that draws crowds back to the Brickyard.” His words carry weight; as a bridge between IndyCar’s past glories and future ambitions, Rossi’s 2025 season—capped by a podium at Laguna Seca—positions him as the ideal messenger.
The implications ripple outward. Lighter, more efficient cars could slash lap times by seconds, intensifying competition and attracting manufacturers wary of costs. Safety, too, benefits: enhanced brakes mean shorter stopping distances at 240 mph, potentially averting the multi-car pileups that mar ovals. Yet challenges loom. Integrating spec dampers without stifling team creativity risks backlash from squads like Penske and Ganassi, who thrive on marginal gains. Rossi, ever the diplomat, advocates balance: “Innovation thrives in constraints. This could make IndyCar more accessible, pulling in new talent and fans who crave that raw edge.”
As November’s chill settles over Indianapolis, the echoes of those test laps linger. Rossi, fresh from Baja 1000 scouting, hinted at more revelations soon. “The data’s still being crunched, but one thing’s clear: 2028 will redefine what ‘The Greatest Spectacle’ means.” For a series navigating TV deals and expansion talks, this test isn’t just progress—it’s a thunderclap, reminding the world why IndyCar remains the pinnacle of American motorsport. With speeds that stunned even the veterans, the path to 2028 gleams brighter than the Brickyard itself.
