The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will hold two days of testing this week on its 2.5-mile oval as Firestone puts new superspeedway tire compounds to the test. The sessions run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time and also serve to give the track detailed feedback on the recent repaving work completed at Turn 2.
Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward and Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou are front and center, taking turns on the track Tuesday to provide input on tire performance and the handling characteristics affected by the fresh asphalt. Joining them Tuesday are Ed Carpenter Racing’s Alexander Rossi and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Takuma Sato, who will return Wednesday with a focus on brake and damper package assessments for the new Dallara chassis set for 2028.
Rossi and Sato bring extensive IndyCar experience and three Indianapolis 500 wins between them, lending invaluable data as the series refines its equipment for future competition. Firestone and IMS continue their long-standing partnership, ensuring the tire compounds meet the high-speed demands of the famous oval while maximizing safety and durability.
Fans can catch the on-track action from vantage points around Turn 2, where visibility offers a close-up view of the testing progress. This critical evaluation period marks another step toward the 2026 season’s arrival and highlights ongoing efforts to evolve the sport’s performance envelope while preserving driver safety.
