With a record four races in March, the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season launches at full speed. The championship begins Sunday, March 1, at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the familiar and fan‑favorite streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. It marks the quickest opening stretch in series history and sets the tone for a year built on momentum and expansion.
Phoenix, Arlington and Barber Add Early Season Punch
A return to historic Phoenix Raceway, a highly anticipated inaugural event on the Streets of Arlington and another trip to the demanding Barber Motorsports Park create a compelling early‑season lineup. These venues help shape what is expected to be another record‑setting year for North America’s premier open‑wheel series.
INDYCAR Expands to 18 Races and Record FOX Coverage
For the first time since 2014, the series will feature an 18‑race championship. FOX Sports enters its second year as the exclusive broadcast partner, airing all 18 races on FOX. With two additional network windows during PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying on May 16‑17 ahead of the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, the network will deliver a record 20 broadcast windows for the season. All INDYCAR programming will also stream live on FOX One and the FOX Sports app.
Leadership Sees Opportunity for Another Breakout Year
INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles says the series is positioned for another year of major growth. New events in Phoenix, Arlington, Markham and Washington D.C., combined with promotional integration around the FIFA World Cup 2026 on FOX, create a unique opportunity to showcase the series’ competitive racing and driver personalities. The battle for the Astor Challenge Cup begins in St. Petersburg with high expectations.
Major Milestones on the Horizon
Several drivers enter 2026 with historic milestones in reach. The next first‑time winner will become the 300th different race winner in INDYCAR SERIES history. Four‑time champion Alex Palou aims to become only the second driver to win four consecutive titles, a feat last achieved by Sebastien Bourdais in 2007.
Scott Dixon Continues His Record‑Setting Pursuit
Six‑time champion Scott Dixon looks to extend multiple all‑time records, including seasons with a win, consecutive seasons with a win, consecutive starts, total starts, podiums and top‑five finishes. Will Power, now with Andretti Global, seeks to add to his all‑time pole position record.
Drivers Approaching Their 100th Career Start
Several drivers are on pace to reach their 100th career NTT INDYCAR SERIES start in 2026. Palou is scheduled to hit the milestone at Phoenix Raceway, Rinus VeeKay at the Streets of Arlington, Santino Ferrucci at the Indianapolis 500 and Scott McLaughlin during the first Milwaukee Mile race.
Updated Tire Strategy for Street Circuits
INDYCAR is introducing new tire usage rules for all street circuits beginning in St. Petersburg. Teams must now use one set of primary tires and two sets of alternate tires, adding an extra alternate set compared to previous seasons. The rule is designed to increase strategic variety and promote more aggressive racing on higher‑degradation alternate tires. Firestone has engineered the 2026 alternates with reduced drop‑off to encourage all‑out driving and closer wheel‑to‑wheel action.
Competition Leaders Expect More Exciting Racing
INDYCAR Senior Vice President of Competition and Operations Mark Sibla says the update will challenge drivers and strategists while enhancing the quality of racing at street events. The goal is to create more memorable battles and elevate the fan experience.
Late‑Race Procedures Updated for 2026
To increase lead‑lap battles in the closing stages of races, INDYCAR is expanding the lap windows used to reposition lapped cars to the rear of the field before restarts. The change applies to nearly all races on the schedule.
Practice Format Adjustments for Road and Street Courses
Practice 2 will now mirror the group format of Practice 1, splitting the field by odd and even pit boxes. All cars receive an initial 40‑minute session before two 12‑minute group segments. Qualifying groups will be determined by results from the previous race, with the season opener using 2025 entrant points. Pre‑race warmups expand from 25 to 30 minutes, and FOX Sports will increase its coverage of these sessions to one‑hour broadcasts.
Safety‑Driven Technical Updates for the Indianapolis 500
In partnership with Dallara, INDYCAR is mandating superspeedway tire ramp flaps for all sessions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including the Indianapolis 500. These carbon fiber flaps deploy during spins to disrupt airflow and reduce lift, continuing the series’ ongoing commitment to safety and aerodynamic stability.
