Category: Auto Racing

Good Ranchers 250 Fast Facts

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.Race weekend: Friday, March 6-Saturday, March 7         
Track: Phoenix Raceway, a 1-mile oval

Race distance: 250 laps / 250 miles

Hybrid energy deployment parameters: Unlimited activation with a maximum deployment of 150 kilojoules (kj) per lap
Firestone tire allotment: Ten sets primary to be used during the event weekend. One additional set is available for use during the group session on Friday.

X: @phoenixraceway, @INDYCAR, #INDYCAR
Instagram: @phoenixraceway, @IndyCar, #INDYCAR
Facebook: @PhoenixRaceway, @IndyCar, #INDYCAR
TikTok: @IndyCar, #INDYCAR
YouTube: @INDYCAR

Event website: www.phoenixraceway.com
INDYCAR website: www.indycar.com

2018 race winner: Josef Newgarden (No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet)
2018 pole winner: Sebastien Bourdais (No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser Sullivan Honda), 39.0285 seconds, 188.539 mph (two laps)
Qualifying records:
One lap: Helio Castroneves, 18.8701 seconds, 194.975 mph, April 28, 2017Two lap: Helio Castroneves, 37.7538 seconds, 194.905 mph, April 28, 2017

FOX Sports telecasts: 
Practice 10 a.m. ET, Friday, FS2 (live);
Qualifying, 2 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live);
High Line Session/Final Practice/Warmup Show, 4:30 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live);

Race, 3 p.m. ET Saturday, 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. Jack Harvey, Georgia Henneberry and Kevin Lee are the pit reporters. All FOX Sports telecasts also are available on FOX One and the FOX Sports app

.INDYCAR Radio, powered by OnlyBulls broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside driver analyst Davey Hamilton. Alex Hayden is the turn announcer. Alex Wollf, DJ Clark and Chris Wilner are the pit reporters. The Good Ranchers 250 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.

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

Friday, March 6
8-9 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice, FS2
12:05-1:05 p.m. – Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (single car, two timed laps), FS2
2:30-3 p.m. –  NTT INDYCAR SERIES Group Session (Two groups, 15 minutes each), FS2
3:10-4 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Final Practice, FS2

Saturday, March 7
12:30 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Driver Introductions
1 p.m. – FOX Sports on air
1:15 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines.”
1:20 p.m. – Good Ranchers 250 (250 laps / 250 miles), FOX, FOX One, FOX Sports App (Live)

‘WHAT TO LOOK FOR’ AT PHOENIX:
Palou continues historic title chase at Phoenix: Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou claimed the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg for the second consecutive season. The driver of the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda is scheduled to make his 100th series start in Saturday’s Good Ranchers 250. With 20 career wins, Palou is already assured of winning at least 20 percent of his first 100 races, something no other active driver has accomplished. Palou has led the NTT INDYCAR SERIES point standings after every race since Laguna Seca in June 2024 – a span of 28 straight races.
Phoenix familiar to a few: While most of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field will compete at Phoenix Raceway for the first time, five drivers in the field have raced at the 1-mile oval previously, and two of the three most recent winners are entered – Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden. Dixon won the series’ last return race to Phoenix Raceway in 2016 while Newgarden won the most recent race at the track in 2018. Alexander Rossi, Graham Rahal and Will Power also have raced at Phoenix Raceway from 2016-18.
“Desert Double” with NASCAR: This weekend’s event at Phoenix is one of three Saturday races on the 2026 schedule, as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is competing on a rare doubleheader with the NASCAR Cup Series on the same weekend in a “Desert Double.” NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series also races Saturday at Phoenix.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race Notes: The Good Ranchers 250 will be the first INDYCAR SERIES event conducted at Phoenix Raceway since 2018 and the 65th INDYCAR SERIES race held on the 1-mile oval since it opened in 1964.The Good Ranchers 250 is the first of six oval races on the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule. Other oval events scheduled are the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (May 24), Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway (June 7), Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway (July 19) and a doubleheader at the Snap-on INDYCAR Weekend at Milwaukee Mile (Aug. 29-30).Five drivers have previously raced INDYCAR SERIES cars at Phoenix Raceway:
 Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Will Power, Graham Rahal and Alexander Rossi. Al Unser has the most wins by an INDYCAR SERIES driver at the track (six). Dixon (2016) and Newgarden (2018) are the only past Phoenix winners entered in this year’s race.Eleven drivers have won the Phoenix race from the pole: Helio Castroneves (2002), Arie Luyendyk (1996), Rick Mears (1982, 1989, 1990), Al Unser (1969, 1985), Tom Sneva (1984), Teo Fabi (1983), Johnny Rutherford (1977), Gordon Johncock (1973), Bobby Unser (1968, 1972), Lloyd Ruby (1967) and Mario Andretti (1966).Drivers who have won at Phoenix have gone on to win the INDYCAR SERIES championship nine times: A.J. Foyt (1964, first race; 1975, second race), Mario Andretti (1966, second race), Bobby Unser (1968, first race), Al Unser (1970, first race; 1985), Rick Mears (1982, first race), Bobby Rahal (1992), Buddy Lazier (2000), Sam Hornish Jr. (2001) and Tony Kanaan (2004).Milestones: Scott Dixon is expected to make his 421st INDYCAR SERIES start, extending his INDYCAR SERIES record. Dixon has made 357 consecutive starts heading into the weekend, the longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history…Alex Palou is expected to make his 100th NTT INDYCAR SERIES start…Josef Newgarden needs to lead 66 laps to pass Dario Franchitti for ninth on the INDYCAR SERIES all-time laps led list…Rookies Caio Collet, Dennis Hauger and Mick Schumacher will make their first INDYCAR SERIES oval start this weekend at Phoenix. 

St. Pete: New Year, Same Result

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Here we go again. The calendar flipped, and Alex Palou still leads the IndyCar series points. Palou opicked up weher he left off in2025, when he led the championship from start to finish.

Palou repeated his victory in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg virtually the same wat he did last year. Palou stayed out the longest before his first pit stop, which allowed him to build up a lead e only lost briefly after his second stop.

Scott McLaughlin dominated the first third of the race from pole, but Palou quickly moved to second from his fourth starting spot, and from that point forward it was just a matter of time before Palou would assume his usual position.

Palou has won nine of the previous 18 races dating back to St. Pete last year. We are witnessing a generational talent along the lines of Scott Dixon, A. J. Foyt, and Mario Andretti. While it may be boring to see him in Victory Circle every week, we need to enjoy and appreciate his talent.

Quick Thoughts

While Palou was on his typical Sunday stroll, a terrific battle for second happened behind him between Kyle Kirkwood, Scott McLaughlin, and Christian Lundgaard. Kirkwood’s tires eventually faded, and the Andretti driver had to settle for fourth. McLaughlin and Lundgaard continued their fight to the end of the race.

Rookies Dennis Hauger played it smart today and ended with a top 10 finish. The rookie driving for Dale Coyne started third after an impressive qualifying effort. he dropped back at the start, choosing wisely to not battle with the three former race winners as the race began.

Hauger’s fellow rookies did not fare as well. Mick Schumacher’s debut ended in less than a lap as he was involved in a crash. Caio Collet struggled all day and finished 17th on the lead lap.

Difficult Debuts– Will Power ‘s first race for Andretti Global did not end well. Power had wall contact as the same suspension issue which plagued the team all weekend reappeared. He returned 30 laps down and ended22nd.

His replacement at Penske, David Malukas, had a promising day ruined when he flat spotted a tire after running in the top five. Malukas finished 13th.

Biggest Movers–

Josef Newgarden moved up to seventh after starting 23rd. The result is a hopeful sign that Newgarden may have a better season than he did in 2025.

Rinus VeeKay moved up 10 spots to finish ninth.

Team results

Four teams had two cars in the top 10 Team Penske, Andretti Global, McLaren, and Dale Coyne.

This weekend was a great one for Dale Coyne Racing, and I hope we see more results like this from them.

While St. Pete isn’t always the nost thrilling event on the schedule, Palou’s 12.4948 margin of victory is a record for the season opener.

Before you hand Palou the title, keep in mind the packed opening schedule, I think he will experience a challenge at Phoenix.

Thanks for following along this weekend. I will have a wra pup tomorrow morning.

Results

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Race Day at St. Pete; 2026 Starts Today

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Today’s Schedule Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg:

Warmup and IndyNXT race on FS1; IndyCar race on FOX.

The waiting and wondering is over. The 2026 NTT IndyCar series begins just after noon today. There were many storylines coming into the weekend- Alex Palou’s quest for four titles in a row, Team Penske looking to rebound from a subpar 2025, Will power’s move to Andretti- and more were added yesterday as a result of qualifying.
How will Dennis Hauger race after a spectacular qualifying run? Is Josef Newgarden in for another difficult year? Is Meyer Shank racing in for a very good season?

Tire strategy is key in today’s race with the two mandated stints on alternate tires. Some teams may not have an idea of what to do until after the morning warmup. If it comes down to tie calls, Plou has the upper hand, but with Tim Cindric calling the shots for McLaughlin, don’t count them out, either.

Today is just one race, bu some teams are poised to enter the conversation. We will have a better idea at the end of this month where things are headed, but today let’s enjoy the race.

I’ll be back with the starting tire selections ariund 11 am Eastern.

Practice 2 at St. Pete

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Yellow cars had a difficult time in the first segment of practice this morning. Will Power found the wall in turn 10, causing heavy damage to the right front of his car. Christian Rasmussen then crashed between turns 2 and 3 and suffered damage.

Christian Lundgaard led this morning’s practice. his time 1:01.657 was a half second slower than Scott McLaughlin’s fast time from yesterday.

Another huge crowd is on site today for the NASCAR Truck race, which started just a few minutes ago, and is currently under caution.

As far as I am concerned, the jury is still out on the new practice format. I can see a benefit of the split groups to help the teams get a feel for a qualifying round, but I think IndyCar needs to provide a separate result sheet for each segment of the practice hour. An overall time sheet is misleading.

I’ll be back after qualifying with a quick summary and then I will have a more detailed wrap up later this evening.

Results

Saturday at St. Pete

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Today’s Schedule:

All times Eastern.

TimeSeriesSession
7:00 AMGates Open 
7:30 AM – 8:15 AMMazda MX-5 CupRace 1
8:35 AM – 9:15 AMINDY NXT by FirestonePractice 2 FS1
9:35 AM – 11:00 AMNTT INDYCAR SERIESPractice 2 FS1
11:00 AM – 11:45 AMINDY NXT by FirestoneAutograph Session – American Legion in Firestone Fan Experience
11:35 AMNASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck SeriesDriver Introductions
12:23 PMOnlyBulls Green Flag 150 at St. PetersburgNASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series – Race (80 Laps) FOX
3:45 PM – 4:15 PMINDY NXT by FirestoneQualifying FS2
4:35 PM – 6:00 PMNTT INDYCAR SERIESQualifying FS2

Good morning from St. Pete. Today IndyCar and Indy NXT comprise the bun around a NASCAR Truck sandwich.

I am sort of okay with the two series sharing a weekend, but I think IndyCar is better served having a standalone opening weeken

The weather has cleared and it appears the threat of rain is gone for the weekend.

Scott Dixon’s car can be repaired, so the teams will not have to go to a backup.

Mazda MX-5 Cup just finished their first race of the weekend. Bobby Gossett won. Earl bamber finished 8th and Sebastien Bourdais came home 11th. This series concludes the weekend program with race 2 at 4 pm tomorrow.

I’ll be back after IndyCar practice. The format remains the same as yesterday, butthe group morder is rversed.

Today’s practice groups.

AQualifying groups will be out later.

St. Pete Day 1 Wrap Up

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Scott McLaughlin has always been fast at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, and today was no exception. McLaughlin turned the fastest lap in the opening practice session during a Friday practice which had several red flags.

In the first small group session, Josef Newgarden got loose,slid through the grass, and made slight wall contact. In the biggest incident of the day, Scott Dixon had a major head hit in turn 8. David Malukas tried toed to squeeze between the wall and Dixon’s disabled car. Malukas ran over some large pieces of debris.

Late in group 2 Louis Foster hit the wall in turn 14. Dennis Hauger lost a spring and also brought out a red flag.

In a press availability after practice, Newgarden said that tires are still an unknown factor, but he believes the red alternate might be the better tire this weekend. A warmer sunnier Sunday may change that thinking. Newgarden said no one knows how the Firestone tires will perform with the rubber from the truck race on the track for qualifying.

Results

Notes

The St. Pete Grand Prix does very little wrong, but one thing needs to be addressed. The Victory Circle behind the main grandstand has not added a new winner’s plaque since Colton Herta affixed his sign in 2022 for his 2021 win.

While Herta’s name completed the front side of the pillar, the other side has holes predrilled for subsequent winners, yet it stands barren.

Through 2022, the previous year’s winner attaching the plaque with his name on it to the wall was a part of the weekend schedule. It hasn’t been done for the last few years. Imagine IMS not attaching the winner to te the Borg Warner trophy. I hope Green Savoree restores this tradition soon.

Friday saw one of the largest Friday crowds I have ever seen at St. Pete. On my way to the the turn 10 grandstand for IndyCar practice, the stand looked completely full- for practice; on a Friday. It makesme think tomorrow and Sunday are going to be jam packed.

Thanks for following along today. I’ll be back in the morning with a preview of qualifying.