INDYCAR fans had plenty to discuss this week, with Team Penske unveiling its special Freedom 250 liveries while news surrounding the series’ next-generation car prompted a wave of discussion about how the 2028 rollout will be handled.
Although the topics couldn’t be more different, both sparked the same type of reaction from fans: excitement mixed with plenty of opinions about the future.
Penske’s Freedom 250 liveries earn widespread praise
Team Penske revealed the special liveries its cars will carry for the Freedom 250, and the overwhelming reaction centered on one thing: they simply look good.
The PPG-backed entries, in particular, drew praise, continuing what many fans see as a long tradition of standout paint schemes. Several observers argued that PPG consistently produces some of the best-looking liveries in the series, joking that it should come as no surprise given the company literally sells paint. While the special designs received plenty of compliments, the discussion also highlighted that Penske’s standard PPG livery remains a favorite for many. Rather than replacing an already popular look, the Freedom 250 versions were viewed as another successful variation in an already strong lineup. Not every car received unanimous approval, however.
Josef Newgarden’s gray-themed design proved to be the most divisive of the three. Some felt it lacked the visual punch of Scott McLaughlin’s and Will Power’s entries, with criticism focusing on the darker shade of gray that many believed dulled the overall appearance. Others still appreciated the design, even if they admitted it wasn’t as striking as the rest of the Penske stable. By comparison, McLaughlin’s patriotic-themed car generated significantly more enthusiasm, with many calling it one of the strongest liveries of the group. Fans noted that McLaughlin has seemingly been blessed with some of Penske’s best-looking cars throughout his INDYCAR career and expressed hope that the impressive paint scheme would be accompanied by equally strong results as the season winds down. The reveal also sparked smaller conversations about sponsorship and branding. One fan questioned whether the cars were actually painted or simply wrapped, with others pointing out that the liveries are wraps rather than traditional paint jobs. Another discussion centered on Hitachi Astemo’s branding, as fans noticed the company continues to use a mix of both the Astemo and Hitachi names across Penske’s cars and driver apparel rather than making a complete transition to the newer identity.
Others reminisced about previous Penske liveries, noting that McLaughlin’s current PPG colors were originally intended for his rookie season before sponsorship arrangements ultimately changed.
Freedom 250 branding also becomes part of the conversation
Beyond the aesthetics, some fans noticed a unique detail on McLaughlin’s car.
Unlike the other Penske entries, his machine features the Freedom 250 logo, prompting discussion about the event’s branding. Some pointed out that the logo differs from the Congressionally created America 250 branding, making it a noticeable distinction among the three entries. The patriotic theme also led to an interesting conversation regarding McLaughlin himself. Some initially found it unusual to see a driver born outside the United States carrying such an overtly American-themed livery. Others countered that McLaughlin appears to have embraced the country throughout his time competing in INDYCAR, with fans noting that he became a U.S. citizen and even raced under an American license during GT3 competition in Japan.
Regardless of those discussions, one sentiment remained consistent: the liveries themselves were widely viewed as some of the better special paint schemes the series has produced.
INDYCAR confirms teams won’t test the 2028 car until after the 2027 season
While Penske’s liveries generated excitement, another announcement shifted attention toward the future of the series.
According to Bob Pockrass, INDYCAR teams will not begin testing the new 2028 car until after the conclusion of the 2027 season. The announcement immediately divided opinion. Some welcomed the decision, arguing that limiting private testing should create more uncertainty heading into the debut season. With fewer opportunities for teams to fine-tune setups, supporters believe the opening races of 2028 could become far less predictable.
That optimism quickly turned into humor as fans imagined what such an opening race might actually look like. Some joked that the season opener at St. Petersburg could produce an extraordinary number of retirements as teams struggled with reliability. Others envisioned absurd scenarios in which only a handful of cars reached the checkered flag, complete with unlikely podium finishers simply surviving the chaos. Of course, another recurring joke suggested none of the uncertainty would matter if Alex Palou simply continued winning anyway.
Several fans humorously predicted that Palou would still qualify on pole and cruise to victory at St. Petersburg despite everyone starting from scratch, continuing what many jokingly described as his seemingly inevitable dominance.
Balancing competition with cost
Beyond the jokes, much of the discussion centered on why INDYCAR would delay team testing in the first place.
A common view was that restricting testing prevents teams from burning through enormous budgets before the new car even races. Extensive private testing would require significant investment from every organization, and limiting that opportunity helps keep costs under control while maintaining greater competitive parity. Others argued that there will still be substantial testing before the public debut. Rather than individual teams running their own programs, much of the development is expected to be handled centrally by the series and the engine manufacturers. That approach would allow suppliers to finalize components, validate reliability, and coordinate production before customer cars are delivered. Some also noted the logistical challenge involved.
With roughly 100 cars needing to be built before the 2028 season, carefully managing production timelines becomes just as important as gathering on-track data. Allowing manufacturers additional time to refine the package before teams receive their cars could reduce both reliability concerns and supply chain issues.
Looking back to look forward
The delayed testing schedule inevitably invited comparisons to the previous chassis introduction.
Some fans recalled that the DW12 reached the track in 2011, with teams beginning testing only shortly before the 2012 season before successfully fielding a full grid at St. Petersburg. That history led some to question why the current timeline appears considerably longer. Others argued that the comparison isn’t entirely fair. The upcoming car features a far more extensive hybrid system and new powertrain components that require considerably more validation. Some also pointed to previous engine introductions as evidence that rushing development can create significant problems, suggesting a more measured approach is preferable even if it extends the timeline. There was even speculation that stretching development could provide additional time to attract another engine manufacturer before the new era officially begins.
Whether that ultimately happens remains to be seen, but fans generally agreed that reliability will be just as important as outright performance when the new car finally debuts.
Looking ahead
Between eye-catching Freedom 250 liveries and the first concrete details surrounding INDYCAR’s next-generation testing schedule, this week offered fans both something to admire in the present and something to debate about the future.
For Team Penske, the challenge now becomes turning highly praised liveries into equally impressive results on track.
For the series, the countdown toward 2028 has officially begun—and while teams may have to wait longer than expected to get behind the wheel, the discussion surrounding INDYCAR’s next era is already well underway.