Penske PC-26

[1] Whilst a development of the PC-25, the PC-26 was designed to address the twitchy nature of the previous year's car.

The Ilmor-produced 850 bhp Mercedes-Benz IC108D engine served as the powerplant, driving through an Xtrac gearbox within a Penske housing.

Aerodynamic changes from the previous year's car included revised sidepod inlets and a longer, sharper nose.

The Delco Gen V electronics package was carried over from 1996 and remained a Penske-exclusive system.

[3] The PC26 proved to be a formidable short oval car, Paul Tracy recorded three victories in Rio, Nazareth and Gateway.