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INDYCAR SERIESNXT SERIES

INDYCAR SERIES

 

www.indycar.com

The IndyCar Series, officially known as the NTT IndyCar Series for sponsorship reasons, is the highest class of American open-wheel car racing in the United States, which has been conducted under the auspices of various sanctioning bodies since 1920. The series is self-sanctioned by its parent company, IndyCar, LLC, which began in 1996 as the Indy Racing League (IRL) and was created by then Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George as a competitor to Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART). In 2008, the IndyCar Series merged with CART's successor, the Champ Car World Series, unifying the history and statistics of both series (as well as those from their predecessors).

Champ Palou Opens Seasonwith Dominant March to St. Pete Win

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Sunday, March 1, 2026) – Alex Palou picked up right where he left off in 2025, opening the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season with a dominant victory in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Palou won his third consecutive and fourth overall series championship last season by a whopping 196 points, an advantage of more than three races, and he and Chip Ganassi Racing showed the same swagger on a sun-splashed Sunday in Florida.

SEE: Race Results

Reigning event winner Palou, from Spain, cruised to his 20th career victory in just his 99th start, driving his No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda to a 12.4948-second victory over the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet of NTT P1 Award winner Scott McLaughlin.

“This team keeps on improving, keeps on making new changes, and they just keep on raising the bar,” Palou said. “It’s pretty impressive. It’s a long season in front of us, but what a great way to start the season.”

Christian Lundgaard, who started 12th, rallied to complete the podium finishers in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Kyle Kirkwood dropped from second late in the 100-lap race to finish fourth in the No. 27 JM Bullion/Gold.com Honda fielded by Andretti Global.

Pato O’Ward put two Arrow McLaren cars into the top five after finishing fifth in the team’s No. 5 Chevrolet.

This was the first race in which INDYCAR rules mandated the use of at least two sets of the softer Firestone Firehawk alternate tire with red sidewalls, throwing an additional strategic element into the racing mix. And, as usual, Palou and longtime strategist Barry Wanser made all the right calls.

The decisive moment of the race came on Laps 36 and 37. Team Penske called leader McLaughlin to the pits at the end of Lap 35, with Marcus Ericsson assuming the lead from second in the No. 28 Delaware Life Honda. Andretti Global summoned Ericsson to the pits at the end of Lap 36, with Palou taking the top spot.

But instead of calling Palou to the pits on the next lap, Wanser and Palou decided to stay out until the end of Lap 38 on their original set of alternate tires in an “overcut” strategy. It worked.

Palou blended back on the 14-turn, 1.8-mile temporary street circuit in front of McLaughlin and Ericsson. Once the rest of the leaders cycled through their pit stops, Palou found himself out front by Lap 42. He would only surrender the top spot during pit stop cycles to finish the race, leading 59 of the 100 laps.

There was a bit of suspense when Palou made his final pit stop at the end of Lap 67 with a 14-second lead on McLaughlin. Palou had used the required two sets of Firestone alternate tires in his first two stints and opted for the harder, but slower, Firestone primary tires for his final run to the finish.

Kirkwood and McLaughlin made their final stops at the end of Laps 65 and 68, respectively, both taking the softer but faster Firestone Firehawk alternate tires. That tire choice offered a glimpse of hope that Palou could be reeled in after he took the lead on Lap 70, but Kirkwood never got closer than 5.5 seconds in his pursuit despite the more grippy tires.

Palou, who started fourth, then pulled away at an astonishing rate over the closing laps to win by the largest margin in the 23 editions of this event.

“Those Firestones were like everlasting,” Palou said. “They would just keep going. I had an amazing car today.”

There was drama in the final 10 laps as McLaughlin and Lundgaard both took advantage of fresher tires to pass Kirkwood for the second and third positions on Lap 94.

“Our Chevy was fast, but it’s just a mixed bag on what tire you start on,” McLaughlin said. “Maybe we come back here again, and maybe you start on reds (alternate) and just get them out of the way. Overall, made the passes we needed to make at the right times, and I thought we maximized our day.”

Dennis Hauger, who qualified an impressive third, was the top finisher among the three rookies in the race, 10th in the No. 19 Ault Block Chain Honda of Dale Coyne Racing.

The next NTT INDYCAR SERIES race is the Good Ranchers 250 on Saturday, March 7 at Phoenix Raceway, part of the “Desert Double” weekend at the 1-mile oval that also features a NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday.

 

 

 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026) – Scott McLaughlin helped Team Penske put memories of a tough 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season into the rearview mirror Saturday by starting 2026 with the NTT P1 Award for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

New Zealand native McLaughlin earned his 12th career pole and third in the last five years on this 14-turn, 1.8-mile temporary street circuit, leading the Firestone Fast Six with a best lap of 1 minute, .5426 of a second in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet.

SEE: Qualifying Results

Team Penske underwent a turbulent 2025 season, marked by the dismissal of three team executives after an illegal modification of a part was discovered before the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. The team won just two races, with McLaughlin being shut out of Victory Lane for the first time since his rookie season in 2021.

“Raul (Prados), my new engineer, gave me a great car,” McLaughlin said. “But we have a lot of experience here with a great car, as well.

“Just really pumped. Everybody knows the slog we went through last year, so to start on this note is fantastic. Bloody good, bloody good.”

Another driver on the comeback trail, 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson, will join McLaughlin on the front row of the 100-lap race Sunday (noon ET, FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio, Powered by OnlyBulls) after his best lap of 1:00.5621 in the No. 28 Delaware Life Honda of Andretti Global. Ericsson has finished 15th and 20th in the standings in his first two seasons, respectively, with Andretti Global after three consecutive sixth-place finishes from 2021-23 with Chip Ganassi Racing.

Rookie Dennis Hauger led arguably one of the best performances in the history of Dale Coyne Racing by qualifying a stunning third, leading both DCR cars in the Firestone Fast Six for the first time since 2022. 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone champion Hauger’s best lap was 1:00.5743 in the No. 19 Ault Block Chain Honda as he became the first driver to make the Firestone Fast Six in their series debut since Christian Lundgaard in 2021.

Reigning and four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou will defend his 2025 St. Petersburg victory from the fourth starting position after a best lap of 1:00.6842 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

David Malukas continued a strong debut weekend with Team Penske as one of the team’s two drivers in the Firestone Fast Six. Malukas, who replaced two-time series champion Will Power this offseason at Penske, qualified fifth at 1:00.7638 in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet.

Romain Grosjean marked his return to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES after a one-year hiatus and his return to Dale Coyne Racing after his 2021 series debut with the team by rounding out the top six at 1:01.3462 in the No. 18 BMax Honda.

Last year’s runner-up in the standings, Pato O’Ward, didn’t advance past the second round of qualifying. He will start eighth in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

O’Ward wasn’t the only series star to falter before the Firestone Fast Six. Multiple series champions Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden were eliminated in the first round.

Six-time series champion Dixon will start 16th in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing after a slide at the start of his final qualifying lap of the first session. It’s the first time he was eliminated in the opening round of qualifying at this race since 2013.

Two-time series champ and two-time St. Petersburg winner Newgarden will start 23rd in the 25-car field in the No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet.

 

 

McLaughlin Jumps to Top of Opening Practice at St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Friday, Feb. 27, 2026) – Scott McLaughlin showed the speed that has earned him two prior poles at this event, leading the first practice Friday for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

McLaughlin, NTT P1 Award winner here in 2022 and last season, was quickest at 1 minute, 1.1020 seconds in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet on the 14-turn, 1.8-mile temporary street circuit that hosts the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener. He led both the earlier portion of the 85-minute practice that contained all 25 cars and improved upon that time in the smaller session after the field was divided into two groups.

SEE: Practice Results

“Decent first day,” McLaughlin said. “Obviously, being P1 is a great start. The DEX Imaging Chevy was straight away fast and felt good and comfortable. It’s good for us. It’s the start of a long season and it was nice to have a smooth session to start.

“We’ll keep pressing on and see how we go.”

Felix Rosenqvist was second overall at 1:01.1660 in the No. 60 SiriusXM Honda fielded by Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian, a car with a livery saluting Florida native and rock icon Tom Petty during the 50th anniversary of his legendary band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Continuing the Sunshine State theme, Florida native Kyle Kirkwood was third at 1:01.1777 in the No. 27 JM Bullion/Gold.com Honda of Andretti Global.

Kyffin Simpson started the 2026 season with the same improvement he showed throughout 2025, ending up fourth at 1:01.1782 in the No. 8 Sunoco Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. 2023 St. Petersburg winner Marcus Ericsson rounded out the top five at 1:01.1967 in the No. 28 Delaware Life Honda as Andretti Global was the only team to put two drivers in the top five.

Four-time series champion Alex Palou, the reigning St. Petersburg race winner, was sixth at 1:01.2614 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Up next is practice at 9:30 a.m. ET Saturday, followed by NTT P1 Award qualifying at 4:30 p.m. Practice will be televised on FS1, with qualifying on FS2. FOX One, the FOX Sports app and INDYCAR Radio, powered by OnlyBulls also will air both sessions live.

Competition in both sessions and the race at noon ET Sunday (FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports App, INDYCAR Radio, powered by OnlyBulls) should be very tight, if this opening practice is any indication. A scant .0947 of a second – less than a tenth of a second – covered the top five drivers. Less than a second separated the top 21 in the 25-driver field.

2025 INDY NXT by Firestone champion Dennis Hauger was the quickest of the three rookies, 17th at 1:01.8680 in the No. 19 Ault Block Chain Honda of Dale Coyne Racing. Formula One veteran Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher, was the second-quickest rookie, 23rd overall at 1:02.1707 in the No. 47 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda.

Three drivers – two-time St. Petersburg winner Josef Newgarden, six-time series champion Scott Dixon and 2025 series Rookie of the Year Louis Foster – made contact with the barriers to trigger red flags and halt this practice in separate incidents.

Dixon’s incident was the most severe. About 57 minutes into the session, Dixon’s No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda slid across Turn 9 and made head-first contact with the concrete barrier, inflicting heavy damage to the front of his car. Malukas just missed Dixon’s crippled car, sneaking past between the left-side barrier and Dixon’s left sidepod. Dixon was unhurt.

“Kind of a frustrating one,” Dixon said. “I got loose on entry and tried to save it and then kind of got into an overcorrection. Luckily it slid off a lot of the speed before it hit the wall. Sometimes you can tub a car and destroy them. Hopefully this isn’t too bad.”

 

 

Shell Starship Returns to NTT INDYCAR SERIES for 2026 Season

Energy-Efficient Class 8 Natural Gas Truck To Transport INDYCAR Administrative Trailer

iNDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Feb. 27, 2026) – Shell and INDYCAR announced Feb. 27 that Shell Starship will return to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES transportation fleet for the 2026 season, continuing its role as a visible demonstration of advanced, lower-emissions freight technology operating in a motorsports series.

Shell Starship, powered by a Cummins X15NTM natural gas engine and lubricated with Shell Rotella® natural gas engine oil, will be the transport vehicle for the INDYCAR Administrative Trailer, traveling to nearly every race on the 2026 calendar.

“Shell Starship is more than a concept; it’s a working demonstration of what’s possible when advanced vehicle design, efficient powertrains and renewable fuels come together,” said Thomas Mueller, general manager of Commercial Road Transport at Shell. “Returning to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2026 allows us to continue learning in real-world conditions while supporting a partner that shares our ambition to advance more sustainable mobility solutions.”

The return builds on a successful debut season in 2025, when Shell Starship joined the series following the Indianapolis 500 and became the first natural gas-powered Class 8 truck to operate within a national racing series fleet in North America. For the 2026 season, the anticipated plans for Starship are to increase the use of renewable natural gas (RNG) compared to the 2025 season.

“INDYCAR is continuously evaluating ways to grow on and off the track – including how we move people and equipment,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “The Shell Starship program helps us assess advanced vehicle technologies and renewable fuel solutions in a meaningful way and support our sustainability goals, demonstrating solutions that can scale beyond racing. Judging by how many times Shell Starship is photographed in the paddock, it is clear our fans enjoy the program, as well.”

In addition to its logistics role, Shell Starship will have multiple marquee moments throughout the 2026 season, including:

  • Leading the truck parade at the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington
  • Participating in the 500 Festival Parade ahead of the Indianapolis 500
  • A feature in INDYCAR video game titles for console and PC, produced by iRacing Studios

Shell Starship’s return builds on the broader collaboration between Shell and INDYCAR, including Shell’s role as Official Fuel of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the introduction of 100% renewable race fuel in 2023. By returning to INDYCAR in 2026, Shell Starship continues to demonstrate how advanced vehicle design, efficient powertrains and renewable fuels can support lower-carbon, real-world logistics, on race weekends and beyond.

For more information about Shell Starship and Shell’s work in transport decarbonization, visit shell.com/starship.

 

Race weekend: Friday, Feb. 27 - Sunday, March 1

Track: Streets of St. Petersburg, 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit (clockwise) through downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, including a runway of Albert Whitted Airport

Media Links: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Entry List (PDF) | INDY NXT By Firestone Entry List (PDF) | Color Event Schedule (PDF)

Race distance: 100 laps / 180 miles (NTT INDYCAR SERIES) | 45 laps / 81 miles / 55 minutes (INDY NXT by Firestone)

Push-to-pass parameters: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: 150 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation. | INDY NXT by Firestone: 50 seconds of total time

Hybrid energy deployment parameters: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Unlimited activation with a maximum deployment of 310 kilojoules (kj) per lap

Firestone tire allotment: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Five sets primary, five sets alternate to be used during the event weekend. Teams fielding a rookie driver may use one additional set of primary tires. Teams must use one set of primary and two sets of alternate tires for at least two laps in the race. INDY NXT by Firestone: Three new sets to be used during the event weekend, with one new set used for qualifying. Another new set may be used during the race. Two carryover sets from the preseason test at Miami International Autodrome may be used during the prequalifying practices.

X: @GPSTPETE, @INDYCAR, @INDYNXT, #FirestoneGP, #INDYCAR

Instagram: @gpstpete, @IndyCar, @INDYNXT, #FirestoneGP, #INDYCAR

Facebook: @GPSTPETE, @IndyCar, @INDYNXT, #FirestoneGP, #INDYCAR

TikTok: @IndyCar, #FirestoneGP, #INDYCAR

YouTube: @INDYCAR, @greensavoreeracingpromotions

Event website: www.gpstpete.com/

INDYCAR website: www.indycar.com

2025 race winners:

NTT INDYCAR SERIES

Alex Palou (No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)

INDY NXT by Firestone

Dennis Hauger (No. 28 Andretti Global)

2025 NTT P1 Award winner: Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 DEX Imaging Team Penske Chevrolet), 59.4624 seconds, 108.976 mph

2025 INDY NXT by Firestone pole winner: Dennis Hauger (No. 28 Andretti Global), 1 minute, 3.8801 seconds, 101.440 mph

Qualifying records:

NTT INDYCAR SERIES

Felix Rosenqvist, 59.2706 seconds, 109.329 mph, March 9, 2024 (set in Round 2 of qualifying)

INDY NXT by Firestone

Dennis Hauger, 1 minute, 3.8801 seconds, 101.440 mph, March 1, 2025

FOX Sports telecast: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Practice 1, 1:35 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live); Practice 2, 9:35 a.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live); Qualifying, 4:35 p.m. ET Saturday, FS2 (live); Warmup Show/Final Practice, 9 a.m. ET Sunday, FS1; Firestone Grand Prix of St, Petersburg, Noon ET, Sunday, FOX (live). Will Buxton is the play-by-play announcer for FOX’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Georgia Henneberry, Kevin Lee and Jack Harvey are the pit reporters. | INDY NXT by Firestone: Practice 1, 12:30 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live); Practice 2, 8:30 a,m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live); Qualifying, 3:45 p.m. ET Saturday, FS2 (live); Race, 10 a.m. ET Sunday, FS1 (live). Kevin Lee is the play-by-play announcer for FOX Sports’ coverage of INDY NXT by Firestone alongside analyst Jack Harvey. Georgia Henneberry is the pit reporter.

INDYCAR Radio Network broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside driver analyst Davey Hamilton. Michael Young, Jake Query and Alex Hayden are the turn announcers. Alex Wollf and Ryan Myrehn are the pit reporters. The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg race and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practices and qualifying sessions air live on network affiliates, SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. All INDY NXT by Firestone practices, qualifying sessions and races are available on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

At-track schedule (All Times Local/Eastern Time):

Friday, Feb. 27

12:30-1:15 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone practice, FS2

1:35-3 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice (two groups), FS2

Saturday, Feb. 28

8:35-9:15 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone practice, FS1

9:35-11 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice (two groups), FS1

3:45-4:15 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone qualifying (Two groups, 10-minute session), FS2

4:35-6 p.m. – Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (three rounds of knockout qualifying), FS2

Sunday, March 1

9:05-9:35 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES warmup, FS1

10:06 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (45 laps / 81 miles / 55 minutes), FS1, FOX One and FOX Sports App (Live)

Noon – FOX Sports on air

12:22 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines.”

12:29 p.m. – Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (100 laps / 181 miles), FOX, FOX Sports Deportes, FOX One and FOX Sports App (Live)

“WHAT TO LOOK FOR” AT ST. PETERSBURG:

Palou begins historic title chase: Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou arrives at the season opener as the defending NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion for the fourth time in five seasons. The four-time series champion from Spain (2021, 2023-25) will look to make history by becoming the first driver since Sebastien Bourdais won four titles in a row for Newman/Haas Racing from 2004-07.

Dixon eyeing first St. Pete win: Scott Dixon has six NTT INDYCAR SERIES championships, which trails only the seven INDYCAR SERIES titles collected by A.J. Foyt. His 59 wins rank second on the all-time INDYCAR SERIES victory list, behind Foyt’s 67. However, the streets of St. Petersburg might be his kryptonite. It is one of five tracks on the schedule where Dixon is winless and the one where he has the most starts (21). Dixon has been successful on the streets of St. Petersburg. Dixon has five runner-up finishes at the circuit and has an average finish of 7.33 in his 21 previous starts. He has finished in the top 10 in his last 10 starts, including second in 2025.

Power plays poles at will: Will Power is the greatest qualifier in modern INDYCAR SERIES history, as his 71 career poles are the INDYCAR SERIES record. The tale of Power’s qualifying success is best told through the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, where he has won nine of the last 16 poles. The only drivers to score a pole in the last 10 years in St. Petersburg not named Will Power are Robert Wickens in 2018, Colton Herta in 2021, Romain Grosjean in 2023, Josef Newgarden in 2024 and Scott McLaughlin in 2022 and 2025.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Notes:

  • The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be the 23rd INDYCAR SERIES race on the streets of St. Petersburg. Alex Palou won the 2025 race, while Scott McLaughlin won the NTT P1 Award. Paul Tracy won the inaugural INDYCAR SERIES race on Feb. 23, 2003, under CART sanction, while Sebastien Bourdais started from the pole that year.
  • The St. Petersburg INDYCAR SERIES race has been held every year since 2003, except in 2004. No driver has competed in every St. Petersburg race, but Scott Dixon has started 21 consecutive races.
  • Will Power (2010, 2014) and Josef Newgarden (2019, 2020) are the only entered drivers to win at St. Petersburg more than once. Seven past winners are entered: Power, Newgarden, Graham Rahal (2008), Scott McLaughlin (2022), Marcus Ericsson (2023), Pato O’Ward (2024) and Alex Palou (2025).
  • Team Penske has won at St. Petersburg 11 times, including seven of the last 14 races with Helio Castroneves (2012), Will Power (2014), Juan Pablo Montoya (2015-16), Josef Newgarden (2019-2020) and Scott McLaughlin (2022).
  • Four drivers have won the race from the pole – Helio Castroneves (2007), Will Power (2010), Colton Herta (2021) and Scott McLaughlin (2022). The St. Petersburg winner has qualified fourth in five of the last 21 races.
  • Milestones: Scott Dixon is expected to make his 420th INDYCAR SERIES start, extending his INDYCAR SERIES record. Dixon has made 356 consecutive starts heading into the weekend, which is the longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history…Rookies Caio Collet, Dennis Hauger and Mick Schumacher will make their NTT INDYCAR SERIES debuts at St. Petersburg. Both Collet and Hauger have raced at St. Pete in INDY NXT by Firestone.

INDY NXT by Firestone Notes:

  • Season starter: INDY NXT by Firestone drops the green flag on a new season on the streets of St. Petersburg for the 14th time in series history. The 17-race 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone calendar brings the series to many of North America’s most revered tracks joining the NTT INDYCAR SERIES at the streets of St. Petersburg, Streets of Arlington, Barber Motorsports Park, Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, streets of Detroit, World Wide Technology Raceway, Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Nashville Superspeedway, Portland International Raceway, Milwaukee Mile and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
  • Local favorite: Nikita Johnson of Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR is one of five native Floridians competing this weekend in INDY NXT by Firestone. The 17-year-old from St. Petersburg made his series debut in his hometown event in 2025 and won races at St. Petersburg in the series that feed INDY NXT. Other Florida drivers in the field include second-year driver JM Correa and rookie drivers Alessandro de Tullio, Enzo Fittipaldi and Max Garcia. All four hail from Miami.
  • International flair: This weekend’s race will feature drivers representing nine countries. A total of 13 drivers represent the United States. There are three drivers from Australia, two from Mexico and one each from Brazil, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Scotland.
  • Welcome back: For the third consecutive season, INDY NXT by Firestone welcomes a new team to the paddock. Former series champions AJ Foyt Racing and Juncos Hollinger Racing return to the series in 2026, running a pair of full-time cars beginning at St. Petersburg. The Foyt team won the first INDYCAR-sanctioned development series title in 2002. Indianapolis 500 competitor Cusick Morgan Motorsports also debuts in the series with a two-car effort.
  • St. Pete precursor? Since 2005, a driver who won at least one race at St. Petersburg has gone on to win the INDY NXT by Firestone title seven times, the most recent being Dennis Hauger, who won the race in 2025.

    Rudy Pankow To Kick Off NTT INDYCAR SERIES Season in Fastest Seat in Sports

    INDIANAPOLIS (Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026) – Actor Rudy Pankow will ride in the Fastest Seat in Sports at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg this Sunday, March 1.

    The race marks the start of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, featuring a global roster of superstar drivers bringing the “Fastest Racing on Earth” to a full schedule of exhilarating and hyper-challenging events.

    Pankow will next star in Universal’s upcoming feature film adaptation “Reminders of Him,” in theaters Friday, March 13, and also will soon be seen in Hulu’s “Never Change!” and in the rodeo drama, “Cowboy.” He is most widely known for his portrayal of “JJ” in the hit Netflix series “Outer Banks.”

    Pankow joins a long list of celebrated INDYCAR Fastest Seat in Sports passengers as he leads the field to green in a custom INDYCAR SERIES car with a special back passenger seat. This high-speed, high-octane, super-charged thrill ride has been taken by the likes of Tom Brady, Simu Liu, Jon Bon Jovi, Lady Gaga and Channing Tatum.

    Coverage of the Firestone Grand Prix of. St. Petersburg begins at noon ET on FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

    The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is North America’s premier open-wheel racing series, with drivers competing at speeds of 200+ mph across a thrilling and demanding set of ovals and road and street circuits. More information is available on INDYCAR.com.

     

    •

 

Competition Updates, Race for Milestones To Begin on Streets of St. Petersburg

for NTT INDYCAR SERIES, INDY NXT by Firestone

INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Feb. 23, 2026) – With a record four races in March, there has never been a faster-paced start to an NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, and the 2026 championship begins Sunday, March 1, at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.

A return to historic Phoenix Raceway, a can't-miss and much-anticipated inaugural event on the Streets of Arlington and another trip to the picturesque and physically demanding Barber Motorsports Park will set the stage for another record-making 2026 season.

For the first time since 2014, North America's premier open-wheel series will feature an 18-race championship. For the second year, FOX Sports will provide coverage of all on-track sessions, including all 18 races scheduled to air on FOX. With two additional appearances on broadcast television during PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on May 16-17 ahead of the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, FOX will provide a record 20 network windows for "The Fastest Racing on Earth."

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is the only premier motorsport series in North America with all races broadcasting on network television. All INDYCAR programming also streams live on FOX One and the FOX Sports app.

"Coming off a 2025 season of massive and historic growth with FOX Sports, 2026 has all the makings of another incredible year," INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. "The addition of new events at Phoenix, Arlington, Markham and Washington D.C., combined with integration around this summer's FIFA World Cup 2026™ on FOX, will provide even greater opportunity to showcase the ultra-competitive, wheel-to-wheel racing and dynamic driver personalities that the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is known for.

"We cannot wait to see what happens during the 2026 championship and the battle for the Astor Challenge Cup, beginning with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg."

Milestones in the Making

Drivers will take aim at several milestones throughout the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The next first-time winner in the series will mark the 300th all-time race winner in the history of the INDYCAR SERIES.

Four-time series champion and winner of three consecutive titles, Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing, looks to become only the second driver to win four consecutive championships, joining Sebastien Bourdais in 2007.

Six-time series champion Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing will attempt to extend all-time records for:

  • Seasons with a win (23)
  • Consecutive seasons with a win (21)
  • Consecutive starts (356)
  • Starts (419)
  • Podiums (145)
  • Top fives (216)

Will Power, who joined Andretti Global starting this season, looks to extend his all-time record for pole positions earned (71).

Several other drivers are on pace to make a milestone 100th career NTT INDYCAR SERIES race start:

  • Palou: scheduled at Phoenix Raceway
  • Rinus VeeKay (Juncos Hollinger Racing): scheduled at Streets of Arlington
  • Santino Ferrucci (AJ Foyt Racing): scheduled at Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge
  • Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske): scheduled for Milwaukee Mile race 1

Doubling Down on the Streets

INDYCAR is updating the race tire usage requirements for all street circuit events in 2026. Beginning with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, teams will be required to use:

  • One set of primary compound tires
  • Two sets of alternate compound tires (one more than previously required)

There are no requirements in terms of new (sticker) sets of tires used in the race. The two completed laps needed to satisfy the tire requirement rule, where one lap must begin once the Green Flag has been displayed to the Race Leader (Rule 15.3.3.2.3.) for each of the three sets (Rule 15.3.3.2.) remains in effect.

The update challenges drivers and teams to compete with a more varied strategy choice on higher drop-off (alternate) Firestone race tires, which INDYCAR believes will bring race quality to an even higher level and create even more wheel-to-wheel action.

Ultimately, doubling the use of street circuit alternate tires, which Firestone has designed to have less drop-off in 2026, strives to ensure an all-out driving on the limit, a thrilling and entertaining product for fans that generates even more strategic challenges.

"INDYCAR is always looking into ways to improve the quality of what is already exceptional on-track action," INDYCAR Senior Vice President, Competition and Operations Mark Sibla said. "This street circuit update will challenge drivers and strategists alike and provide an avenue for even more memorable wheel-to-wheel action at our fan-favored street events in 2026."

Process and Practice

INDYCAR is also updating late-race procedures for 2026. To generate more lead-lap battles in the closing stages of races, the lap windows – in which cars that are a lap down to the leader and moved to the rear of the field before restarts – will be expanded at almost all races.

Additionally, updates to NTT INDYCAR SERIES road and street course practices include:

  • Practice 2 will now mirror the "group" format of Practice 1, where the field is split by odd and even numbered pit boxes. All cars will receive an initial 40-minute practice segment before the start of two 12-minute group segments.
    • With the change to Practice 2, qualifying groups will now be determined by the qualifying results from the previous 2026 race (2025 championship entrant points for the season opener on the Streets of St. Petersburg).
  • Traditional pre-race "warmup" sessions will expand from 25 to 30 minutes in 2026. FOX Sports' coverage of warmup sessions will also increase to robust one-hour telecasts.

Technical Updates Focus on Safety at Indianapolis 500

In collaboration with Dallara, INDYCAR is mandating the use of superspeedway tire ramp flaps for all sessions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including the Indianapolis 500.

The carbon fiber flaps, connected to the aerodynamic "ramps" located directly in front of the rear tires, are a continuation in the effort to increase aero stability of cars and will deploy – rising from the aft area of the flap – to disrupt air flow "lift" during a spin.

Flap Photo-USE.png
 

"Dallara is a tremendous partner and have joined us to closely examine spins that have occurred over the last few years at IMS," INDYCAR Director of Aerodynamic Development Engineering Tino Belli said. "This update to the rear tire ramps has proven in computational fluid dynamics testing to decrease, by nearly 9 percent, the likelihood of a car at speed 'lifting' after a 180-degree spin. We are always evaluating safety and, from a car perspective, believe this is an effectual development for a superspeedway."

Use of these new tire ramp flaps will be required beginning at the Indy 500 Open Test on April 28-29 at IMS.

Additionally, oval testing at IMS performed by "500" champions Alexander Rossi and Takuma Sato in October 2025 validated the performance of Performance Friction Corporation's speedway-specific brake configuration. In recent Indy 500s, incidents have occurred where drivers have struggled to slow or control their cars coming off Turn 4 and entering pit lane. The new brake configuration is more predictable and responsive, increasing safety.

What's NXT: Larger Field, More Opportunities on FOX Sports for INDY NXT

An era of unprecedented exposure continues for INDYCAR'S development series, INDY NXT by Firestone, as a record 17 races will air on live television. Last year marked the first year a full INDY NXT season was available on live TV. In 2026, 15 of the 17 championship rounds will air on FOX Sports' FS1, with two airing on FS2.

Once again this season, all INDY NXT practice and qualifying sessions also will air on a combination of FS1, FS2, the FOX One and the FOX Sports app.

The 17-race schedule includes a series-record-tying four races in March and the addition of three new doubleheader weekends as the series looks to better prepare drivers and team personnel for the skills required to advance to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

For the second consecutive season, a growing paddock will compete for the championship, with 24 drivers representing 11 countries beginning the season on the Streets of St. Petersburg. It is the most entries to start a season since 2009 (27 entries).

Team lineups again will be a key storyline, with eight powerhouse organizations helping fuel the series' competitive balance and championship intrigue. AJ Foyt Racing will make its second foray in INDY NXT and first full-time effort since 2004.

Cusick Morgan Motorsports competes in INDY NXT for the first time, fielding two cars in the championship. Chip Ganassi Racing enters its second consecutive season and expands to four cars this season.

Additionally, Cape Motorsports powered by ECR marks ECR's debut in the INDY NXT paddock, entering two cars into the championship. Juncos Hollinger Racing also returns for its 10th season in INDY NXT.

"The 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season reflects the momentum our series has built over the past few years, with an expanded number of races that deliver more competition, more chances for drivers to sharpen their race craft and more value for the series overall," INDY NXT director Kirk Dooley said. "That added on-track action comes alongside growth in car counts and new teams joining the grid, making 2026 one of our most exciting seasons yet."

From a rules perspective, group qualifying sessions on road and street courses have been updated to 10-minute sessions, with the provision of one clock stoppage should a red flag occur in each group. The updated timing format more closely matches that of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and continues the series' integration with INDYCAR, which began in 2022.

The pathway to North America's premier open-wheel series once again features a total purse of just over $1 million. The series champion will receive $850,000 to be applied to a rookie oval test, the Indy 500 Open Test and Rookie Orientation Program, an entry for the 2027 Indianapolis 500 and an entry for an additional NTT INDYCAR SERIES event.

INDYCAR's worldwide direct-to-consumer streaming platform, INDYCAR LIVE, has access to a full library of archived INDY NXT practices, qualifying sessions, races and additional content. 2026 INDY NXT sessions and races will stream live in certain countries and territories. More information is available here.

Coverage of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season debut at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg begins at noon ET Sunday, March 1 on FOX. A Spanish-language version will be available on FOX Deportes.

INDY NXT by Firestone's season opener begins earlier that day on the Streets of St. Petersburg at 10 a.m. ET on FS1.

The award-winning INDYCAR Radio Network also will provide coverage throughout the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT seasons with audio available via SiriusXM channel 218 and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

 

INDYCAR Officiating Ready for 2026 Season Opener in St. Petersburg

 

INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Feb. 23, 2026) - The Independent Officiating Board (IOB) remains focused on establishing and launching INDYCAR Officiating to clearly define operational and governance separation and transparency as preparations continue for the upcoming 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone seasons.

In the last few months, the IOB, with chairman Raj Nair, secretary and treasurer Ray Evernham and FIA appointee Ronan Morgan, has been diligent in the work needed to arrive to this point of the year, which has included the following:

  • Establishment of the not-for-profit INDYCAR Officiating Inc. corporation
  • Finalizing the 2026 INDYCAR Officiating budget
  • Reviewed INDYCAR’s established processes and personnel
  • Determined a need for additional experienced personnel for the tech team
  • Determined the need for a separate INDY NXT race director
  • Reviewed the steward positions and determined to make no changes

“The board has been meticulous and thorough in our review of INDYCAR’s officiating process and procedures,” board chairman Nair said. “While we are pleased with the early achievements, there is plenty of work still to do. Among our major goals is to implement a more detailed transparency reporting structure to teams – related to technical and race infractions – as well as establishing consistency of rule implementation and enforcement. As a collective, we are confident in the results our team will achieve over the season.”

The IOB also continues to interview candidates to find the perfect fit for the roles and responsibilities of the managing director of officiating (MDO). As the process of identifying the ideal person continues and until that hire is announced, the board plans to oversee general independent officiating operations.

“One of the clear takeaways as we analyzed INDYCAR officiating and operations has been that INDYCAR already greatly benefits from the knowledgeable and professional personnel in race control and technical inspection,” said board member Evernham. “With that, combined with the expertise that the board brings, we are going to work with the current team members of each but will add additional resources and support.”

The three members of the IOB will attend and provide oversight for INDYCAR Officiating at the season opener on the Streets of St. Petersburg and will then share responsibilities over the initial races until the MDO can be secured.

Kyle Novak will continue as the race director and vice president of INDYCAR Officiating. Novak has served as the sport’s race director since the 2018 season and leads race control and circuit safety development. He is responsible for developing and enforcing NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone competition regulations.

Also an attorney, Novak serves as one of 36 judges on the FIA Courts and hears cases as a member of the FIA International Tribunal and International Court of Appeal.

On the technical side, the IOB has determined that Kevin “Rocket” Blanch will continue as the INDYCAR Officiating’s technical director. Blanch will oversee the technical inspection process and will provide technical oversight and ensure compliance of aerodynamic and chassis regulations.

Blanch joined INDYCAR in 2003 after serving six-plus seasons with Panther Racing, where he served as the team’s crew chief. During his tenure there, the team won two INDYCAR SERIES championships and earned 11 victories and five pole positions.

Arie Luyendyk and Max Papis will continue to lend their expertise as chief stewards for INDYCAR Officiating. Luyendyk, who has seven INDYCAR SERIES race wins – including two Indianapolis 500 victories, and Papis, a three-time INDYCAR SERIES race winner, have served as series stewards since their original appointment in 2016. Both officials are stationed in race control and monitor on-track sessions, review incidents for rule violations and enforce penalties.

Working with Blanch, the IOB has added Nick Allen as a technical inspection manager for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Allen brings over 20 years of experience as an INDYCAR race team mechanic and chief mechanic. In the coming weeks, INDYCAR Officiating will add a tech inspection manager for INDY NXT and, working with Novak, a dedicated INDY NXT race director.

“The officiating in INDYCAR is not broken; in fact, racing series around the world could learn from its procedures and operation,” said board member Morgan. “At this point, our opinion is that independent INDYCAR Officiating should be framed as a sensible evolution when it comes to general process. By providing and overseeing additional support, transparency and added separation between officials and series management, we firmly believe that INDYCAR Officiating is primed to be successfully implemented for the 2026 season.”

Coverage of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, round one of the 18-race 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship, begins at noon ET Sunday, March 1 on FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One and the FOX Sports app. Coverage will also be provided by the INDYCAR Radio Network via SiriusXM Channel 2018 and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

 

NXT SERIES

 

www.indynxt.com

Indy NXT (pronounced "Indy Next"), previously Indy Lights, is an American developmental automobile racing series sanctioned by IndyCar, currently known as INDY NXT by Firestone for sponsorship reasons. Indy NXT is the highest step on the Road to Indy, a program of racing series leading up to the IndyCar Series.

 

Johnson Feasts on Home Cooking To Earn First Win at St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Sunday, March 1, 2026) – Nikita Johnson earned his first INDY NXT by Firestone victory Sunday, winning his hometown Grand Prix of St. Petersburg after prevailing in a duel of talented teenagers.

Johnson, from St. Petersburg, delivered his first victory in just his fourth career start in the INDYCAR development series. It also was the first INDY NXT victory for Cape Motorsports, which Johnson joined this offseason after a part-time foray last season in the series with HMD Motorsports.

SEE: Race Results

“I can’t thank the boys from Cape Motorsports enough and everyone from ECR who has been helping us,” Johnson said. “It’s a pretty amazing feeling to get my first win in INDY NXT and Cape’s first win in INDY NXT. I can’t wait to see all my friends and family.”

Series rookie Johnson, 17, drove his No. 21 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR entry to victory by .6990 of a second over pole sitter Max Taylor, 18, in the No. 28 Susan G. Komen car of Andretti Global. Rookie Tymek Kucharczyk rounded out the podium finishers in his first INDY NXT start by placing third in the No. 71 HMD Motorsports entry, 5.055 seconds behind Johnson.

Andretti Global took three of the top five spots. Seb Murray placed fourth in the No. 27 Prosperity machine, while Lochie Hughes rounded out the top five in the No. 26 car.

Johnson wasted no time asserting his command of this race, scheduled for 45 laps but halted on time after 55 minutes. He started second and used a bold, sweeping move to the outside of Taylor in Turn 1 at the start to grab a lead he would never relinquish.

“It was pretty straight up,” Johnson said. “I reviewed some video from previous years on YouTube, the INDY NXT channel. I knew I wanted to get up front quickly, and I did just that. I went into Turn 1 and knew what he (Taylor) was going to do before he did it and just went around the outside. After that, I kept it pretty simple, tried to keep a nice gap.”

Caution periods ended up being Johnson’s biggest foe besides Taylor. The race was slowed by four full-course yellows, but Johnson held off Taylor on each of the restarts.

Perhaps Taylor’s best chance came on a restart on Lap 20. He tried the same move Johnson used to gain the lead on Lap 1, but his attempt at a sweeping, outside pass was unsuccessful.

“All the restarts were pretty difficult,” Johnson said. “He (Taylor) caught on at one point, and I had throw in a little curve ball and change it up.”

Taylor maintained pressure on Johnson for the entire race, never trailing by more than a second and keeping his car usually within six- or seven-tenths of the leader. But Taylor also never got close enough after restarts to mount a serious challenge to the race lead.

The two teens traded blows over the closing laps. Johnson turned his quickest lap of the race on Lap 38, but Taylor countered with the speediest lap overall on Lap 39.

“Good race overall, good points,” Taylor said. “Showed a lot of pace but just messed up on the start.

“The restarts were very difficult to get right. Just kept trying to apply the pressure, trying different things. Probably could have had an opportunity to pass him there, but you live and you learn.”

The next INDY NXT by Firestone race is the Grand Prix of Arlington on Sunday, March 15 on the streets of Arlington, Texas.

 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026) – Max Taylor kept his season-opening weekend in INDY NXT by Firestone perfect by winning the pole Saturday for the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Taylor’s first career pole was the exclamation point of an event in which he also has led both practice sessions on the 14-turn, 1.8-mile temporary street circuit at the start of his first full season in the INDYCAR development series. He claimed the pole at 1 minute, 4.8887 seconds on his final lap during the second group of qualifying in the No. 28 Susan G. Komen machine that Dennis Hauger drove to the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone championship last season for Andretti.

SEE: Qualifying Results

Connecticut native Taylor, 18, joined Andretti Global full time this season after making six INDY NXT starts last season amid a full campaign in USF Pro 2000.

“First pole position, so I’m over the moon,” Taylor said. “P1 every session this weekend so far, so I’m just excited to keep attacking. I love this car, love this track, and I love my team.”

Up next is the 45-lap race at 10 a.m. ET Sunday (FS1, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio, powered by OnlyBulls).

Rookie Nikita Johnson will start on the front row at his hometown race. Johnson, from St. Petersburg, led the first qualifying group at 1:05.2148 in the No. 21 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR entry.

Andretti Global dominated qualifying, taking three of the first four spots on the starting grid. Besides Taylor on pole, Seb Murray qualified third at 1:05.3912 in the team’s No. 27 Prosperity car, while Lochie Hughes qualified fourth at 1:05.3105 in the No. 26 Andretti Global machine.

Polish rookie Tymek Kucharczyk will start fifth after a top lap of 1:05.4028 in the No. 71 HMD Motorsports car, while Josh Pierson put four Andretti cars in the top six with his lap of 1:05.5975 in the No. 29 Starchive Andretti entry.

Accidents ended the sessions of two drivers who hoped to qualify near the front.

Enzo Fittipaldi, the grandson of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, clipped the wall with his No. 67 HMD Motorsports entry. He will start last in the 24-car field.

Toward the end of the second group, INDY NXT race winner Matteo Nannini hit the barrier twice in an accident that inflicted heavy damage to the front of his No. 20 Enve Motorsports car fielded by Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR. He will start 23rd.

 

 

Max Taylor Sets Pace To Lead Andretti 1-2-3 in Opening St. Pete Practice 
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Friday, Feb. 27, 2026) – Max Taylor backed up his preseason performance in the first practice session of the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season Friday at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, leading a 1-2-3 sweep for Andretti Global.

Connecticut native Taylor, entering his first full season in the INDYCAR development series, topped the 45-minute session with a best lap of 1 minute, 5.0852 seconds in the No. 28 Susan G. Komen entry fielded by Andretti Global. That’s the same machine that Dennis Hauger drove to the INDY NXT championship last season before a promotion to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season this year.

SEE: Practice Results

Taylor, who made six INDY NXT starts in 2025 amid a full-time effort in USF Pro 2000, led the INDY NXT Group Test last November at Barber Motorsports Park, was second fastest at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test in October on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and ranked in the top two in all four sessions at a group test last month at Sebring International Raceway.

“A good first session,” Taylor said. “Always loved driving around this place. Missed it. It was a really good session working with team, developing the setup, fixing my driving, as well. A really good start to the weekend, and I’m excited to keep on attacking it.”

Series veteran and Andretti newcomer Josh Pierson was a distant second behind Taylor with a best lap of 1:05.5358 in the No. 29 Starchive Andretti entry. Second-year INDY NXT driver Seb Murray completed Andretti Global’s sweep of the top three spots with his best time of 1:05.5368 in the No. 27 Prosperity entry.

Myles Rowe was fourth at 1:05.5845 in the No. 99 Abel Motorsports with Force Indy car. Series rookie Enzo Fittipaldi, the grandson of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, rounded out the top five at 1:05.7017 in the No. 67 HMD Motorsports entry.

The session was slowed by two red flags.

Rookie Jack Beeton backed into the wall in Turn 10 in the No. 45 HMD Motorsports about 15 minutes into the session. The rear of the car was damaged, but Beeton was able to drive to the pits for repairs.

About 20 minutes later, Lochie Hughes nosed into the barrier in Turn 7 in the No. 26 Andretti Global entry. Hughes, the top returning driver this season in the series, drove to the pits without a front wing for a replacement.

Up next is another practice at 8:35 a.m. ET Saturday, followed by qualifying at 3:45 p.m. ET. FS1 will televise practice live, with qualifying on FS2. FOX One, the FOX Sports app and INDYCAR Radio, powered by OnlyBulls also will provide live coverage of both sessions.

The 45-lap race starts at 10 a.m. ET Sunday.

 

 

INDYCAR SERIESNXT SERIES
 

2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES SCHEDULE

Date Venue
Sunday, March 1 Streets of St. Petersburg
Saturday, March 7 Phoenix Raceway
Sunday, March 15 Streets of Arlington
Sunday, March 29 Barber Motorsports Park
Sunday, April 19 Streets of Long Beach
Saturday, May 9 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course
Sunday, May 24 The 110th Indianapolis 500
Sunday, May 31 Streets of Detroit
Sunday, June 7 World Wide Technology Raceway
Sunday, June 21 Road America
Sunday, July 5 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Sunday, July 19 Nashville Superspeedway
Sunday, Aug. 9 Portland International Raceway
Sunday, Aug. 16 Streets of Markham
Saturday, Aug. 29 Milwaukee Mile Race 1
Sunday, Aug. 30 Milwaukee Mile Race 2
Sunday, Sept. 6 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
 

2026 INDY NXT BY FIRESTONE SCHEDULE

Date Venue
Sunday, March 1 Streets of St. Petersburg
Sunday, March 15 Streets of Arlington
Saturday, March 28 Barber Motorsports Park Race 1
Sunday, March 29 Barber Motorsports Park Race 2
Friday, May 8 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Race 1
Saturday, May 9 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Race 2
Sunday, May 31 Streets of Detroit
Sunday, June 7 World Wide Technology Raceway
Saturday, June 20 Road America Race 1
Sunday, June 21 Road America Race 2
Saturday, July 4 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Race 1
Sunday, July 5 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Race 2
Sunday, July 19 Nashville Superspeedway
Sunday, Aug. 9 Portland International Raceway
Sunday, Aug. 30 Milwaukee Mile
Saturday, Sept. 5 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 1
Sunday, Sept. 6 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 2

 

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