Images from media.gm.com and trackforum.com

It’s no secret that we’ve never been fans of the DW-12, choosing instead to rather obstinately cling to the old fashioned belief that open wheel race cars should actually be open wheeled. As noted previously on this site, the current trend in IndyCar chassis design is neither visually pleasing nor true to the nature of the sport. Looking like something caught from the Marianas trench, IndyCar’s latest iteration is most decidedly not helpful to this eyeful end. We say nuts to that.

Image from media.gm.com

After great secrecy and build up to Chevy’s introduction of their aero kits, the reaction has been predictably underwhelming and justifiably so. Drawings, for goodness sake? Largely holding our pens on this point of the rather ungainly appearance of Chevy’s effort, that’s about to change. The road and short oval kits will supposedly provide a bit more speed, but judging by the artist depictions they look ugly, silly and needlessly new fangled.

“Winglets on stalks” is how one author described those things sticking out from the front wing of the car. They aren’t exactly what most fans of artistry on wheels had in mind as an upgrade over the dated, boxy and cumbersome Dallaras. Safety concerns notwithstanding, more mass on the rear wing/bumper isn’t what’s needed, either. Quite frankly the whole package looks somewhat ridiculous. Our acceptance of these changes can only improve over time, as our initial reaction couldn’t be any worse.

Image from Indy Race Reviewer

We have several important concerns. What will casual fans think who tune in to see these spiny, porcupine looking cars? Where’s the classic, sleek, distinctive look of the IndyCars of yore? As foolish as decaled NASCAR behemoths look banging into walls and each other at sub 200 mph speeds, we fear the new look IndyCars may appear even more laughable. That’s not good for racing.

Photo from nydailynews.com

This comes at the same time Billionaire Bernie’s F1 cars receive a much needed nose job. As others have noted, the number of debris cautions caused by knocked off nose winglets alone could outpace even NASCAR’s embarrassing level of race killing yellows. That is unless they’ve installed vacuums on those hulking rear pods. As usual, IndyCar can and should do better.

Image from Indy Race Reviewer

Aero kits shouldn’t look silly. The carnage they leave behind shouldn’t slow down races. Plainly we’re not pleased with this new version of IndyCars. To be charitable, they’re function over form and their functionality remains in question. Allow us to suggest a different name for them rather than aero kits. That is, “puffer fish kits.” They’re potentially as toxic as the dangerous deep ocean dweller and to fans with any aesthetic sense at all they’re equally as palatable. We only hope they’re not lethal to the sport.

Image from Indy Race Reviewer