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IndyCar Announces Exciting 17-Race Lineup for 2026 Season
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Highlights
- IndyCar announces 17-race 2026 season starting March with four races
- Season opener on March 1 in St. Petersburg for fifth consecutive year
- Phoenix Raceway returns March 7 with reconfigured dogleg layout
- New Arlington street race debuts March 15, partnered with Dallas Cowboys
- Indianapolis events include May 9 road race and May 24 Indy 500
- Season finale set for September 6 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
IndyCar confirms a 17-race 2026 calendar, opening in March with four races across three consecutive weekends to front-load momentum and audience reach.
St. Petersburg starts the season on March 1 for a fifth year. The series then returns to Phoenix Raceway on March 7, sharing a weekend with NASCAR.
Phoenix returns on the reconfigured dogleg for the first time since 2018, paired with a joint NASCAR weekend.
IndyCar debuts the Grand Prix of Arlington on March 15, a 14-turn, 2.73-mile street race co-promoted with the Dallas Cowboys and REV Entertainment. Barber follows on March 29.
The early stretch blends established street circuits and a new urban venue, testing teams’ adaptability before the season reaches its traditional heartland.
Long Beach lands on April 19, preceding Indianapolis in May. The IMS road course runs May 9, with Indy 500 qualifying on May 16–17 and the race on May 24.
All 17 races, plus Indianapolis 500 qualifying, will air on FOX in 2026.
Detroit follows on May 31, then prime-time oval racing at World Wide Technology Raceway on June 7. Road America arrives June 21, with Mid-Ohio on July 5.
Nashville Superspeedway hosts the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix on July 19, a Saturday night event slotted after FOX’s FIFA World Cup Final coverage.
August turns relentless with four straight races: Portland on August 9, the inaugural Streets of Markham on August 16, and a Milwaukee Mile double on August 29–30.
The season concludes September 6 at Laguna Seca, home of the iconic Corkscrew.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca stages the finale on September 6, a technical decider likely to reward tire management and qualifying execution.
Leadership stresses a balance of fan favorites and new markets. A front-loaded start and a NASCAR collaboration aim to amplify reach before Indianapolis.
Further details, including start times and the INDY NXT calendar, will follow as organizers align broadcast windows and evolving industry trends.
The schedule’s variety underscores IndyCar’s breadth across ovals, road courses, and streets, a defining mix within the types of motorsports landscape.
Visual Summary
🏎️
The 2026 IndyCar Season:
17 races, new tracks,
and a spiral to the championship finish
17 races, new tracks,
and a spiral to the championship finish
1
St. Pete
→
2
Phoenix (dogleg!)
→
3
Arlington (NEW)
→
4
Barber
St. Pete
→
2
Phoenix (dogleg!)
→
3
Arlington (NEW)
→
4
Barber
From a four-race March blast,
to new street circuits in Arlington & Ontario,
and the legendary Laguna Seca finale.
Season features NASCAR crossover, Global TV, and packed traditions.
to new street circuits in Arlington & Ontario,
and the legendary Laguna Seca finale.
Season features NASCAR crossover, Global TV, and packed traditions.
FOX
+
All 17 Races Broadcast Live
Key races
New events
Season opener
Finale
New events
Season opener
Finale
Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.
