Tag: NTT Indycar Series

Content Days Begin with Incomplete Grid, Scheduling Questions

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IndyCar Content days begin at noon today with driver interviews and continue through tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately, the complete full time field will, not be present. Dale Coyne has not yet named the driver of his second car, and last night we learned that Prema drivers Robert Shwartzman and Callum Ilott will miss the sessions as well.

Prema is undergoing an ownership change and will likely not participate in the season opener at St. Pete. This morning Prema’s sporting director, Ryan Briscoe, was announced as a driver coach for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.

Prema struggled last year, and with no shot at Leaders’ Circle money, it was going to be difficult to continue long term without major sponsorship. One of my concerns about the charter system is being realized- that the system inhibits growth of the series, making it a challenge for a new team to enter the series.

DC Race?

Talk of a possible race in Washington, DC, in August was raised last week. I have several issues with this particular event, although I am not opposed toa race in the Nation’s capital in general,

Adding a race min one of IndyCar’s busiest months would be difficult. There are already four races on three weekends in August. Taking away one of the Milwaukee races doesn’t help since the double header is just one weekend.

Sponsors have paid and budgeted for 17 races. Who pays for the 18th race?

Engine and tire limits also have leases based on 17 races. Do teams get a fifth engine?

If the series wants a race in Washington, iun a region that has been ignored by the series for way too long, fine. But to put an event together in less than six months’ time is probably not a smart decision.

Wait until next year and do it the right way. And don’t replace an oval race for it.

FOX New Commercials

Last year FOX began promoting the upcoming season with ads during the NFL playoffs. The ads featured Josef Ne3wgarden, Pato O’Ward, and Alex Palou. They were witty, fast paced, and clever.

Last week FOX rolled out new ads for the 2026 season featuring the same three drivers. The first two, with Newgarden and O’Ward, lacked a lot of the zip and pizzazz of the initial promos. In my opinion, they ranged from dark to silly.

I hope the next two ads are better, but I’m not optimistic. Maybe so0meday FOX will learn that there are more than three drivers in the series who merit attention.

I will be posting off and on during the next two days.

Phoenix Open Test To Salute Unser Family 

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 INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026) – The incredible legacy of the Unser family at Phoenix Raceway will be honored when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES conducts an Open Test on Feb. 17-18 at the desert oval in advance of the series’ highly anticipated return to the track
.The Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway is open to all teams as they prepare for the Good Ranchers 250 on Saturday, March 7 as part of a buzzworthy weekend alongside NASCAR, providing a joint showcase of North American racing in partnership with FOX Sports. It’s the first INDYCAR SERIES race at the historic, 1.022-mile Phoenix oval since 2018.
Cars will be on track from 2-6 p.m. ET (noon-4 p.m. MT) on Tuesday, Feb. 17, with testing scheduled for 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ET (9 a.m.-noon MT) and 3:30-6:30 p.m. ET (1:30-4:30 p.m. MT) Wednesday, Feb. 18. The Wednesday sessions will be open and free to the public, with an autograph session at 2:45 p.m. ET (12:45 p.m. MT).
“The name Unser is synonymous with Phoenix Raceway,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “We’re honored to salute this family’s incredible accomplishments at their home track for this important Open Test, which sets the stage for INDYCAR’s return to Phoenix in March. As a longtime fan of the sport, I also really appreciate that the logo for this special test features some familiar colors from cars driven by Al and Bobby, which I’m sure will bring back many great memories for our loyal fans.”
Phoenix was the home INDYCAR SERIES track for the Unser family, which lived in and proudly represented Albuquerque, New Mexico. And no name is more linked with success at the desert oval.
Al Unser won a track-record six INDYCAR SERIES races at Phoenix since the track first started hosting series events in 1964. He also won six poles at the track as part of an illustrious career that included three series championships and a record-tying four victories in the Indianapolis 500
.Bobby Unser took the checkered flag four times at Phoenix but powered to a track-record 11 poles at the tricky desert oval. He also won two series titles and three Indianapolis 500s.Two-time series champion and two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr. finished runner-up at Phoenix four times.
“I’ll speak for our family and say how pleased we are to be honored in this way by INDYCAR,” Al Unser Jr. said.
“Dad simply loved racing at Phoenix, and no one took it to the edge in qualifying there quite like Uncle Bobby. It was exciting to see the track added to the schedule this year, and the Open Test will be crucial for drivers and teams as they get ready for the race in March. I can’t wait to see the NTT INDYCAR SERIES back at Phoenix.””
Live timing and scoring from both days of the Open Test will be provided on INDYCAR.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. Fans unable to attend the test also can follow along on INDYCAR social channels.
The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season starts Sunday, March 1 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. 

ECR FOCUSES ON ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH AS THE TEAM ENTERS SEASON FIFTEEN

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Editor’s note: ECR also confirmed that Ed Carpenter will drive a third car in the Indianapolis 500.

From ECR;

Team Development at the Forefront of ECR’s Preparation for Its Fifteenth NTT INDYCAR SERIES Season
(INDIANAPOLIS) January 21, 2026 – ECR announced today a series of organizational improvements and team growth ahead of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The Indianapolis-based race team heads into Season Fifteen on the heels of its best campaign in several years, highlighted by Christian Rasmussen’s victory at the Milwaukee Mile. ECR will strive for more in 2026 with an expanded leadership team, a more robust engineering department, and an increased emphasis on pit lane performance.
Ted GelovOwner and Chairman Ted Gelov joined the team prior to the 2025 season and continues to guide the organization through a rejuvenated era. Co-owner Ed Carpenter also serves as CEO, making him the only individual in the 33-car Indianapolis 500 field who handles both the responsibility of driving the racecar while owning and operating his own team.Ed Carpenter
Tim BroylesFrom ECR’s inception, the team has operated under the direction of Team President Tim Broyles. He became the organization’s first employee in late 2011 and shaped the program into a race-winning operation within its first year. Broyles is one of the most experienced individuals in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES paddock, now in his 38th year of working in professional motorsports.
Derek DavidsonJoining the competition management side of the team is Derek Davidson, who works alongside Broyles as Team Manager. Davidson was an accomplished USAC racer before beginning his INDYCAR career as a fabricator, mechanic and Crew Chief. Over the past 20 years, Davidson worked his way up through the ranks of race team operations. He spent the last decade in team management roles before joining ECR’s leadership.
Matt BarnesAfter serving as Race Engineer for one of ECR’s two entries and most recently as Chief Engineer, Matt Barnes will step into the role of Vice President of Competition. Drawing on 23 years of expertise, he now oversees all aspects of the engineering department. Like Broyles, Barnes joined ECR before the team’s first season and is one of the 10 original hires still with the organization.
With Barnes assuming management of the engineering department, Quentin Montigaud has been promoted to Race Engineer of Alexander Rossi’s No. 20 Chevrolet. Montigaud, from France, began his engineering career nine years ago in Formula E. He has spent his entire INDYCAR career with ECR and was most recently Performance Engineer on the No. 20.
As Montigaud begins his first season as Race Engineer, he will have the guidance of both Barnes and Pete Craik. Craik will remain Race Engineer of the No. 21, a role he has held since Rasmussen’s first race at ECR. The Australian began his career in Supercars before moving to the United States and has spent 19 years engineering Supercars, INDYCAR, and NASCAR. He has led of one of ECR’s two entries as Race Engineer for the past seven years.
ECR’s engineering department gains additional depth with the addition of Robert Gue. A 23-year motorsports engineering veteran, Gue will lead development efforts for the team as Senior Project Engineer.
With an increased emphasis on pit lane performance, ECR has added a full-time Strength and Conditioning Coach. Before joining ECR, Chase Campbell worked with collegiate and professional athletes for 10 years. He leads routine workouts for the No. 20 and No. 21 crews, as well as open lift sessions for all team members. Campbell also oversees daily pit stop practice for both crews and serves as the team’s Pit Stop Coach. Additionally, he has taken on the role of Strength and Conditioning Coach for Carpenter, Rasmussen, and Rossi.
Rasmussen and Rossi will be on track for the first time this year at Phoenix International Raceway on February 17-18 as part of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Open Test. The 2026 season begins in the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., on Sunday, March 1.
About ECRECR (Ed Carpenter Racing) first entered the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2012. The Indianapolis-based race team is led by owners Ted Gelov and Ed Carpenter and has proven its versatility by collecting wins across every type of track the series competes on – street and road courses, short ovals, and speedways. For the 2026 season, Indianapolis 500 champion Alexander Rossi will return as driver of the No. 20 Java House Chevrolet, while new NTT INDYCAR SERIES race winner Christian Rasmussen remains in the No. 21 Splenda Chevrolet. Carpenter, a three-time pole winner of the Indianapolis 500 (2013, 2014, and 2018), will round out ECR’s three-car lineup for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. More information on ECR can be found at www.ecrindy.com.

IndyCar Drivers In the Rolex 24

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Photo: Will Power taking his first laps at Daytona

Ten current IndyCar drivers, possibly an 11th, will get their seasons going early as they drive in this weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona Internation Speedway. Colton Herta, who will drive in F2 in 2026, will also join the field.

Will Power makes his Rolex 24 debut. From what I have read, he really enjoyed the Roar Before the 245 last weekend.

Here is a list of the cars and classes where IndyCar drivers will be driving: Romain Grosjean is included. Rumors are strong that he will get the final open seat in the Dale Coyne Racing number 19.

GTP

Car 40 Colton Herta Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac

Car 60 Scott Dixon Meyer Shank Racing Acura

Car 94 Alex Palou Meyer Shank Racing Acura

LMP2

Car 8 Kyffin Simpson Tower Motorsport Oreca (Teammate Sebastien Bourdais)

Car 99 Christian Rasmussen AO Racing Oreca

Car 343 Nolan Siegel Inter Europol Oreca

GTD Pro

Car 14 Kyle Kirkwood Vasser Sullivan Lexus


Car 75 Will Power 75 Express Mercedes AMG

Car 45 Marcus Ericsson Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini

GTD

Car 16 Romain Grosjean Myers Riley Mustang

Car 36 Scott McLaughlin DXDT Corvette

Car 129 Callum Ilott Wright Motorsport Porsche

I will have a story about the Rolex every day this week as I watch the happenings remotely from home this time.

Long Beach Grand Prix Announces Leadership Change

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Editor’s note: After Doug Boles, I have had more conversations with Jim Michaelian than any other track principal. I will miss his passion for the event, and he set a high bar for delivering an outstanding race weekend.

The following is from the Long Beach Grand Prix:

President & CEO Jim Michaelian Transitioning to New Role Effective June 30; Jim Liaw Named as Replacement

The Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, organizers of the annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, announced that President and CEO Jim Michaelian will assume a new role in Penske Entertainment effective June 30, 2026, and that Jim Liaw has been named as the organization’s new President and CEO, starting July 1, 2026.

Jim Michaelian (left), Jim Liaw (right)

Michaelian, 82, who has been a part of the Grand Prix Association since its founding in 1975, has served as Controller, Chief Operating Officer and was named President & CEO in Dec. 2001. He has served on the boards of the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach, Visit Long Beach and the Los Angeles Sports Council over the years.

Michaelian will continue to guide the event and company through the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend and will work closely with Liaw to ensure a smooth leadership transition. On February 9, 2026, Liaw, 50, will assume the temporary title of General Manager for the 2026 event.

“Leading the Grand Prix Association and the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach has been the privilege of a lifetime,” said Michaelian. “This event and this community mean a great deal to me, and I’m proud of what our team has built together. Coming off our very successful 50th celebration, I feel this is the right time to make this transition. For 50 years, I have been given the unique opportunity to merge my passion for motorsports with involvement with the longest-running street race in America, which has been a distinct privilege.

“I’m grateful to the City of Long Beach, our sponsor partners, participants, volunteers, and fans for their continued support, and thanks also to Chris Pook, the originator of the Grand Prix of Long Beach, and Kevin Kalkhoven and Jerry Forsythe for their invaluable support during the challenging times in the past 50 years. And with the leadership of Penske Entertainment, the new owners of the Grand Prix Association, the future of the event is in excellent hands.”

Michaelian, a competitive sports car racer who, for more than 25 years has competed at such tracks as LeMans, Daytona, Nürburgring, and Sebring, hopes to be able to participate in a few more events before hanging up his helmet.

Liaw brings extensive motorsports industry experience and leadership from his position as General Manager of Performance Racing Industry (PRI), an organization that supports and advocates for the interests of racers, enthusiasts, builders, tracks, sanctioning bodies, and businesses. PRI runs the largest annual motorsports trade show in the world.

An entrepreneur by nature, Liaw has leveraged his experience and passion for motorsports into a successful career that has introduced and launched some of the hottest youth culture programs in America. Prior to joining PRI in 2021, Liaw served as President of Formula Drift, which he co-founded with Ryan Sage in 2003 and helped turn into the premier drifting series in the world. He and Sage were the first to take the unknown motorsport of drifting out of Japan and introduce it to America, eventually making it the global benchmark for professional drifting. Formula Drift’s invitational “Super Drift Challenge” has been a fixture at the Grand Prix since 2005.

“I’m honored to join the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach and to help lead one of the most recognized and respected events in motorsports,” said Liaw. “The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is incredibly meaningful to me – it was the first major race I ever attended nearly 30 years ago, and it helped spark a lifelong connection to motorsports. Southern California has been home since I was six, so it’s truly an honor to represent Long Beach and the region while leading such a special event. I’m excited to be part of this iconic race and to help shape its future for generations to come.”

When he’s not binge-watching historical documentaries or traveling, Liaw enjoys spending time with his wife, Angela, and their two daughters.

“INDYCAR owes an immense debt of gratitude to Jim Michaelian,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “From Day One, his guidance, management and exemplary leadership, has made the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach a marquee event and a beloved fan-favorite on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar. I know our paddock – past and present – and decades of racing champions and legends join me in congratulating Jim on the impactful legacy he leaves.

“As we look to the future, we believe Jim Liaw is an ideal fit to expand the recent growth and popularity of a race weekend, which is strategically important and a big priority for INDYCAR. His unique background and passion for motorsports will serve this historic event in a powerful way.”

The 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will take place April 17-19, 2026. For the latest news and information on the event, visit gplb.com or follow on Facebook (GrandPrixLB), X (@GPLongBeach #AGPLB), Instagram (@GPLongBeach) and TikTok (GPLongBeach).

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If Cars are on Track Can Spring be Far Behind?

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I hope everyone had a great holiday. I have had a tumultuous winter as I had a brief hospitalization, and I am preparing to liquidate Winter Headquarters. I’m ready for racing. There is hope in the air and cars on track.

Yesterday the first tire test of 2026 took place at Phoenix as Firestone rechecked the data from the fall test, Will Power turned his first laps for Andretti Global, and Josef Newgarden ran his Team Penske car. I wonder how awkward it was for the former teammates.

It might take me a race or two to have a full grip that Power is not in the 12 car, and that he now pilots the number 26 entry. Power sounded very positive after yesterday’s run.

The grid is still not complete, as Dale Coyne Racing has yet to name the driver of car 19. We know it will not be Jacob Abel, who will be running an LMP2 car in IMSA, nor will Conor Daly have the seat. He announced that he is no longer in the running.

Other Loose Ends

The Independent Officiating Board has met and will soon name the officiating staff for the 2026 season. IndyCar president Doug Boles said in an interview with Marshall Pruett that he would like to have the team in place to work an open test as a dress rehearsal for the season.

We are awaiting word from both Honda and Chevrolet about their status beyond this year. I feel that both will return beyond this year, and I hope another manufacturer joins them.

Prema has reserved spots at upcoming tests but has not said whether they return to the grid. If they do, will the team have a different name? One of my concerns about the charter system is that it would stifle an increase in the number of teams. Prema survived last season without a chance to get Leaders’ Circle money, and they entered each race hoping that another team did not add an entry. It’s t5ough to run all year like that without gigantic funding.

Early, Early Predictions

These are subject to change after open testing:

Caio Collet will win Rookie of the Year. A. J. Foyt Racing has evolved to the point where Collet will be competitive enough to do well, Dennis Hauger will struggle in the Coyne car because of the equipment, and Mick Schumacher needs to learn the circuits.

Pato O’Ward will win the Indianapolis 500. Finally.

Alex Palou will be difficult to beat for the championship again.

Either David Malukas or Marcus Armstrong will win their first IndyCar race in 2026.

Looking Ahead to 2026

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I trust everyone had a nice holiday last week, and as we look ahead to 2026, I want to say thank you to everyone who visited this site during the year. It was another great year, and next May will mark 10 years of writing this humble column.

What can we look forward to in 2026? First, I don’t see Alex Palou dominating again as he did this past season. He is still the favorite for the title, but winning eight races in 2026? Probably not.

The new officiating board has more distance from Penske Entertainment, but the series ownership is still paying for it. We should know the officiating staff early next month. Will there much change in the philosophy of running the races? I doubt that we will notice any difference. One change I want to see is when a yellow is warranted, throw it without regard to pit cycles or whatever. If it ruins someone’s race, that’s the breaks.

I’m sad to see that Conor Daly won’t have a full-time ride in 2026. Daly always seems to help a team improve, and I’m not going to be happy with whomever gets the Dale Coyne seat.

For me, the most exciting possibility is the chance of Katherine Legge returning to the Indianapolis 500. Legge may have an opportunity to secure a ride, and she says she would like to do the IndyCar race at Phoenix along with driving in a NASCAR race that same weekend.

I have always considered Legge the best of the female drivers, and I hope she gets another shot at Indy. Legge has never had the best equipment at the 500, and I hope 2026 marks a change in her 500 career.

FOX Sports, INDYCAR Announce 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone Schedule on FS1, FS2 

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Photo: Myles Rowe in Victory Circle at Iowa, 2025.

From IndyCar:

 12-19-NXT-TV-Email.png   INDIANAPOLIS (Friday, Dec. 19, 2025) – FOX Sports and INDYCAR have revealed the race broadcast start times for the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone schedule.As part of INDYCAR’S partnership with FOX Sports, all INDY NXT races will be shown on live television for the second consecutive year with a series-record 17 races on live TV in 2026. Fifteen INDY NXT races are scheduled to appear live on FOX Sports’ FS1, with two airing on FS2.Once again in 2026, all INDY NXT practice and qualifying sessions also will air on a combination of FS1, FS2, the FOX Sports app and FOX One.
“Our immersive partnership with FOX Sports has fueled impressive gains across our ecosystem, most especially within INDY NXT by Firestone,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said.
“In 2026, we expect that significant growth to continue with additional races providing even more intense on-track action for our development series. The competition will be fierce for the drivers vying to advance to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, and FOX Sports’ coverage will provide another remarkable showcase.”
The battle for the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone championship begins at 10 a.m. (all times Eastern) Sunday, March 1 on FS1 from the sunny streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. Round two of the championship takes the series to the much-anticipated inaugural race on the 14-turn, 2.73-mile Streets of Arlington circuit and the Grand Prix of Arlington at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 15, also on FS1.
The first of three new doubleheaders in 2026 begins at Barber Motorsports Park with races at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28 and 11 a.m. Sunday, March 29 on FS1.
The summer stretch of races at Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Nashville Superspeedway will coincide with FOX Sports’ expansive coverage of FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The doubleheader in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, will take place at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20 at and at noon Sunday, June 21, with both races airing on FS1.
FOX Sports’ coverage at Mid-Ohio begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 4 and at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 5 – again, with both races scheduled for FS1.
The television tune-in time for the INDY NXT race at Nashville will be announced in the coming weeks.
The championship concludes with the final doubleheader of 2026 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a race at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 on FS2 followed by the season finale and the crowning of the INDY NXT champion at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6 on FS1. It is the 15th time in series history that the legendary and historic track on California’s central coast will play host to the title celebration.
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.

FOX SPORTS’ 2026 INDY NXT BY FIRESTONE RACE COVERAGE SCHEDULE:

DateVenueTVTime (ET)
Sunday, March 1Streets of St. PetersburgFS110 a.m.
Sunday, March 15Streets of ArlingtonFS111 a.m.
Saturday, March 28Barber Motorsports Park Race 1FS11 p.m.
Sunday, March 29Barber Motorsports Park Race 2FS111 a.m.
Friday, May 8Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Race 1FS24 p.m.
Saturday, May 9Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Race 2FS12:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 31Streets of DetroitFS110:30 a.m.
Sunday, June 7World Wide Technology RacewayFS15:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 20Road America Race 1FS112:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 21Road America Race 2FS1Noon
Saturday, July 4Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Race 1FS11 p.m.
Sunday, July 5Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Race 2FS110 a.m.
Sunday, July 19Nashville SuperspeedwayFS1TBA
Sunday, Aug. 9Portland International RacewayFS12 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 30Milwaukee MileFS111 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 1FS26:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 6WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 2FS112:30 p.m.

Note: Dates and times are subject to change.

FOX Sports, INDYCAR Unveil 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race Broadcast Start Times 

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From IndyCar and FOX:

 Fastest Racing on Earth Featured with Record-Tying 19 Network Windows, FIFA World Cup 2026™ Lead-ins, Six Hours of Live Coverage for Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025) – FOX Sports and INDYCAR have announced the race broadcast start times for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule.
For the second consecutive year, FOX will highlight the dynamic and hyper-competitive championship with a record 19 network windows, with all 17 races featured on broadcast television. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is once again the only premier motorsports series in North America with all races broadcast on network television.
The 2026 broadcast schedule also includes a summer stretch that coincides with FOX Sports’ coverage of FIFA World Cup 2026™, providing a massive and historic showcase for North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series. The opening match on Sunday, June 21 will lead into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ annual trip to the exhilarating, demanding layout at Road America and the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America scheduled for 2 p.m. (all times Eastern).
FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 16 action will follow the 12:30 p.m. start of FOX’s broadcast at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid Sunday, July 5.
The biggest match in world soccer, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final, and the celebration of an epic champion on FOX will provide a massive lead-in for INDYCAR’s annual thriller at Nashville Superspeedway. Broadcast tune-in time for the 2026 edition of the 400-mile Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix will be announced at a later date.
In 2025, during the first year of a multiyear partnership with FOX Sports, viewership of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season increased 27 percent from the previous season, generating the fastest growth curve of any major sport.
“Once again FOX Sports is providing an unparalleled platform to showcase the most competitive and dynamic racing series on the planet,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said.
“On the heels of significant milestones and momentum last year, this new season will provide meaningful opportunities to reach new audiences and build upon the best growth trajectory in all of sports.”
Other highlights of FOX’s 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES broadcast schedule include:
A supercharged set of three consecutive weekends to kick off the season as part of a record four races during the month of March, which includes the series’ return to Phoenix Raceway for the Good Ranchers 250 at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 7.
A highly anticipated event on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar, the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington on the Streets of Arlington on Sunday, March 15, featuring a 30-minute prerace that begins at 12:30 p.m.
Coverage of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying – setting the field for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge – beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17
.For the second consecutive year, an extensive six-hour broadcast – beginning at 10 a.m. – for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24.
The return of fan-favorite primetime racing under the lights at World Wide Technology Raceway and the 10th annual Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline at 9 p.m. Sunday, June 7.
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ return to Canada for the debut of the Streets of Markham layout and the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham at noon Sunday, Aug. 16.
The return of the popular doubleheader at the historic Milwaukee Mile at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 and 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30.
The crowning of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and a Labor Day weekend return to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Coverage of the season finale begins with a prerace show at 2:30 p.m. Sunday Sept. 6.
WHAT NTT INDYCAR SERIES DRIVERS ARE SAYING:“2025 was an incredible year not only for me but also for INDYCAR on FOX, and I know we are both prepared to build on our accomplishments. Needless to say, I’m excited to get 2026 started as we go for a fourth straight NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship with the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda and cannot wait for the opener at St. Pete.” – Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing
“There is so much to look forward to on the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule, including our first race at Arlington. As we have already seen in this new partnership, it is one of the most exciting, new additions to our calendar in the recent years, and FOX Sports will provide the perfect showcase for our fans watching on TV. The new season can’t get here soon enough.” – Pato O’Ward, Arrow McLaren
“I’m a big sports fan, so having the 2026 INDYCAR schedule share the stage with FOX’s coverage of the World Cup next summer is going to be exciting. 2025 was a breakout year for me, and it was especially rewarding to see it all play out on FOX in their first INDYCAR season. We’re looking forward to another strong season for the No. 27 Andretti Global Honda, and I’m eager to see what FOX has in store for the upcoming season.” – Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global
Coverage of all 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice and qualifying sessions will be featured on either FS1 or FS2, FOX One and the FOX Sports app.
The coverage schedule for the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone championship, the developmental series for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, will be announced in the coming days




FOX SPORTS’ 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES RACE COVERAGE SCHEDULE:

DateVenueTVTime (ET)
Sunday, March 1Streets of St. PetersburgFOXNoon
Saturday, March 7Phoenix RacewayFOX3 p.m.
Sunday, March 15Streets of ArlingtonFOX12:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 29Barber Motorsports ParkFOX1 p.m.
Sunday, April 19Streets of Long BeachFOX5:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 9Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road CourseFOX4:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 24The 110th Indianapolis 500FOX10 a.m.
Sunday, May 31Streets of DetroitFOX12:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 7World Wide Technology RacewayFOX9 p.m.
Sunday, June 21Road AmericaFOX2 p.m.
Sunday, July 5Mid-Ohio Sports Car CourseFOX12:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 19Nashville SuperspeedwayFOXTBA
Sunday, Aug. 9Portland International RacewayFOX4 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16Streets of MarkhamFOXNoon
Saturday, Aug. 29Milwaukee Mile Race 1FOX2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 30Milwaukee Mile Race 2FOX1 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 6WeatherTech Raceway Laguna SecaFOX2:30 p.m.

Note: Dates and times are subject to change