The 2026 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg returns to downtown with a full schedule from Friday, February 27 through Sunday, March 1. The event marks the official start of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season and brings fans three days of racing, testing, qualifying, and fan‑focused activities. Crews prepared the 1.8‑mile, 14‑turn street circuit throughout the week as teams arrived ready to begin the new campaign.
Drivers entered the weekend with strong anticipation. Marcus Armstrong spoke about the importance of precision on the tight St. Pete layout and emphasized how a strong opening weekend can shape a championship run. The event also features a historic doubleheader atmosphere as NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series joins the schedule for the first time.
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Saturday Builds Toward Qualifying
Saturday brings another round of practice sessions across all series. IndyCar returns to the track at 9:30 a.m. ET for Practice 2 before moving into qualifying at 4:30 p.m. ET. NASCAR Truck Series runs its race at noon ET, giving fans a rare chance to see both major series compete on the same weekend. The combination of open‑wheel and stock‑car racing creates a unique atmosphere that sets this year apart.
Sunday Delivers the Season Opener
Sunday marks the official start of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg goes green at noon ET on FOX, with full radio coverage on INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls. Sports Talk Florida AM 820 and the TuneIn app carry additional race‑weekend programming for Florida listeners. Fans expect a strong field led by defending champion Alex Palou, Pato O’Ward, Will Power, and several high‑profile rookies.
The weekend closes with the traditional podium celebration along the waterfront as St. Petersburg once again delivers one of the most anticipated season openers in motorsports
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