The IndyCar Series features open-wheel, single-seat, open-cockpit cars with front and rear wings. IndyCar Series cars are powered by the normally-aspirated, 3.5-liter Honda Indy V-8 engine. Honda is the single provider of engines for the IndyCar Series. IndyCar Series cars run on 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol, making the IndyCar Series the only major motorsports series to run on a renewable fuel. IndyCar Series cars produce approximately 650 horsepower and reach top speeds of approximately 230 mph.

IndyCar Series cars generate 5,000 pounds of downforce at 220 mph, enough to allow the car to run upside down if that speed is maintained. Each of the eight pistons in an IndyCar Series engine travels nearly 1 mile up and down in the cylinder every minute. An IndyCar Series car accelerates from 0 to 100 mph in less than three seconds, more than nine seconds quicker than it takes a production Porsche 911 Turbo street car to reach the same speed.