Fast cars race on tracks.
They go very fast. People love to watch them. It is fun to see them go.
Do you like fast cars?
IndyCar is a big race for fast cars.
These cars have wheels that are not covered.
All teams use the same car frame. But they can use different engines.
Some use Honda engines. Others use Chevrolet engines.
Drivers sit in a small space. They have a screen to protect them.
This helps keep them safe.
The biggest race is the Indy 500. It started a long time ago. People love to watch these cars go fast.
IndyCar is a top way to race fast cars in the USA.
These are open-wheel cars. This means the wheels are not covered by a body. The most famous race is the Indianapolis 500. It first took place in 1911.
All teams use the same car frame, or chassis. Today, a company called Dallara makes these frames.
Teams can choose different engines to power them. Some use Honda engines. Others use Chevrolet engines.
Safety is very important in these races. In 2020, they added the aeroscreen. This is a shield that protects the driver's cockpit.
The cars also use special parts to help them go fast. Some parts are called aero kits. These kits change how air moves around the car. In 2018, the series moved to a new body design called the IR18. It looks very sleek and smooth. The series is always looking for new ways to race. They are even testing a new car for the year 2028.
The IndyCar Series is a top way to race fast cars in the United States.
These are called open-wheel cars because the wheels are not covered by a body. The most famous event is the Indianapolis 500. This big race first started back in 1911. People love watching these cars go fast on tracks. It is a major part of American motorsport history.
Every racing team uses the same car frame, which is called a chassis.
Right now, a company named Dallara makes these frames for everyone. While the frames are the same, teams can pick different engines. Honda and Chevrolet are the two main companies that provide engines. This makes the racing very exciting for fans. It allows different makers to show off their best technology.
Racing has a long and sometimes messy history. In 1994, a big disagreement called "The Split" happened. This led to a rival series starting in 1996. This fight made racing less popular for a while. Finally, the two sides joined together again in 2008. This merger helped bring the history of both series back together. Now, the sport is growing again each year.
Engineers work hard to make these cars safe and fast. In 2012, the series used the Dallara IR-12 chassis. This car had parts to keep drivers safe during crashes. Later, they added aero kits to help air move around the car. In 2018, they moved to the IR18 design. This new look is very smooth and streamlined. It also uses fewer small parts that might break on the track.
Safety is always a top priority for the series. In 2020, they added a special shield called the aeroscreen.
This protects the driver's cockpit from flying objects. The series is also looking toward the future. They are already testing a brand new car called the Dallara IR-28. This new car might start racing in the year 2028. It shows how racing is always changing and improving.
The NTT IndyCar Series represents the highest level of American open-wheel car racing.
Open-wheel racing features cars where the wheels are not covered by a body. This series has been organized by different groups since 1920. Today, it is managed by IndyCar, LLC. The most famous event in this series is the Indianapolis 500. This legendary race was first held in 1911. For many fans, this series is a central part of American motorsport culture.
Racing technology relies on a specific mechanical setup to ensure competition. Every team in the series uses the same chassis, which is the structural frame of the car. Currently, the Italian company Dallara provides this specification chassis to all teams.
While the frames are identical, manufacturers can develop different engines. Honda and Chevrolet are the two primary engine providers. The cars also use a specific transmission system. Since 2008, they have used an AGS 6-speed semi-automatic sequential gearbox. This system uses an electro-pneumatically operated paddle-shift system for the drivers.
Historically, the series has seen many different types of chassis manufacturers. In the early years, companies like Lola and Reynard built cars for the CART series.
After 1996, the Indy Racing League introduced new rules for less expensive cars. This move changed the technical landscape by outlawing turbocharged engines. Four manufacturers have been approved to build IndyCar chassis over time. Dallara has been the most successful, with 17 Indianapolis 500 winners using their frames as of 2017. Other builders included G Force, which was later owned by Panoz, and Riley & Scott.
The history of the sport includes a period of intense rivalry known as "The Split." This began in 1994 due to a disagreement between CART and Tony George. This conflict led to the creation of the Indy Racing League in 1996. The rivalry caused the popularity of open-wheel racing in the United States to decline. The two sides finally merged in 2008 to form the modern IndyCar banner. This merger helped unify the history and statistics of the competing series. Since that merger, the series has seen slight viewership gains each year.
In 2012, the series moved to a single-make chassis formula to control costs.
The Dallara IR-12 chassis was introduced at a price of $349,000 per unit. This model included safety features like a partial enclosure around the rear wheels. This design helps prevent cars from climbing over the back of another vehicle. The chassis was also nicknamed the DW12 to honor driver Dan Wheldon. Between 2015 and 2017, teams used specialized aero kits to increase speeds. These kits were developed by the engine manufacturers, Chevrolet and Honda.
To improve efficiency, the series introduced the IR18 chassis in 2018. This version uses a universal bodywork kit known as the UAK18. This design is more streamlined and reduces the number of small parts that can break. It also lacks the air inlet above the cockpit found on older models. In 2020, the series added the "aeroscreen" to the cockpit.
This device provides essential protection for the driver from flying debris.
The series is constantly looking toward the next generation of technology. Engineers are currently planning for the successor to the DW12 chassis. On December 16, 2024, IndyCar announced wind tunnel testing for the new Dallara IR-27. This new chassis was originally expected to debut in 2027. However, a later announcement in June 2025 delayed the debut to 2028. The new model will be renamed the Dallara IR-28. This ongoing development ensures the sport remains at the cutting edge of racing.
Where will your curiosity go next?
🖼️ Images & Media (9)
More to explore
✨ What else?
Related topics you might enjoy
🔬 Go deeper
More advanced topics to explore
🪜 Step back
Simpler topics to build understanding
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.