Indycar is adding some modifications to its cars for 2023, some involve safety, and others will give teams more options for downforce levels.

The modifications include:

A new rear attenuator and stronger rear-wheel tethers meant to protect the driver and reinforce the car in case of a collision. The red light at the rear of the car is larger to make it easier to see in rainy conditions.

 Addition of ‘rain vanes’ on the nose of the car just in front of the base of the aeroscreen. Officials believe the vanes will move moisture away from the screen.

A new, higher headrest to better pad drivers in the cockpit.

A new mandatory, “more-forgiving” steering arm capable of taking more punishment in a crash without breaking.

Optional use of short-oval barge boards at road and street course race weekends.

Optional use of the previously tested underwing sidewall at Texas.

Several changes for the Indy 500, including an optional underwing flap wicker, new mandatory stability wickers, a new optional underwing inner bargeboard (that’s also allowed at other ovals), optional underwing road and street course strakes, an optional speedway infill wicker (also allowed at Texas) and new pillar specs that create 3 more degrees of range on the adjustable rear wing that gives teams the option to add additional (or take away more) downforce.

Continued use of the EM Motorsports Telemetry and EM Marshalling systems tested at various tracks in 2022 that are designed to, among other things, make red and yellow flag calls more visible to drivers on-track and allow those calls to be relayed quicker.

I will have the second part of my season preview up tomorrow. Then it’s time to go racing.