The 2026 IndyCar Series begins with a trio of exciting races broadcast live on FOX, kicking off on Sunday, March 1, at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. This marks the start of a consecutive three-week stretch of high-profile events, attracting fans nationwide with premier coverage on FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One, and the FOX Sports app. The 2026 Indycar Series schedule includes many standout races, spotlighting classic venues and new additions, combining to create a compelling calendar for racing enthusiasts.
Expert Broadcast Team Returns to Enhance Viewer Experience
FOX INDYCAR continues its momentum following a record-breaking inaugural season, which saw a 27% increase in viewership and delivered the series’ most-watched season in nearly two decades. Leading the broadcast team, play-by-play announcer Will Buxton joins analysts James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell in the booth to bring expert insights and engaging commentary. Reporting from pit road, Jack Harvey, Georgia Henneberry, and Kevin Lee will provide up-to-the-minute updates on race developments. Celebrated motorsports broadcaster Jamie Little will join for the Desert Double weekend at Phoenix Raceway and the iconic 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24.
Pam Miller, an award-winning producer, remains at the helm as lead producer for FOX INDYCAR, complemented by Emmy-winning director Mitch Riggin. This experienced team ensures the broadcasts maintain a high standard of production quality and technical innovation throughout the 18-race schedule.
Collaboration with NASCAR Delivers Unique Double-Header Weekends
The 2026 season features an innovative blend of IndyCar and NASCAR events during shared race weekends. At the season opener in St. Petersburg, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series complements the IndyCar schedule, with its race airing on Saturday, February 28, at noon Eastern. The NASCAR broadcast will be called by Jamie Little, two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip, and Townsend Bell, with reports from Amanda Busick and Georgia Henneberry on pit road.
Adding to the crossover excitement, James Hinchcliffe will compete in the NASCAR Trucks race at St. Pete driving the Spire Motorsports No. 77 truck, while Jackson Lee, son of reporter Kevin Lee, races the No. 22 Team Reaume entry. This crossover highlights the increasing collaboration and appeal between the two motorsports series.
The following weekend, FOX showcases the Desert Double at Phoenix Raceway, where the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Good Ranchers 250 will air on Saturday, March 7, followed by the NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, March 8. This weekend represents a rare convergence of top-tier open-wheel and stock car racing across the same venue, broadening the viewing experience.
New Race in Arlington Brings IndyCar to a Prominent Sports District
For the first time, the 2026 IndyCar Series will race on a new temporary street circuit in Arlington, Texas, beginning Sunday, March 15. The Java House Grand Prix of Arlington takes place in the vibrant Entertainment District, encompassing stadiums that host the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. The event will air live on FOX, with expanded pre-race coverage starting at 12:30 PM Eastern. This addition reflects the series’ ongoing effort to bring racing action to new and dynamic metropolitan settings while expanding its fan base.
Comprehensive Broadcast Coverage and Digital Access
The complete 2026 IndyCar season will be televised exclusively on FOX networks, maintaining parity with the previous year’s record of nineteen broadcast windows, including two qualifying sessions for the Indianapolis 500. Viewers can access all events through FOX One and the FOX Sports app, ensuring broad and flexible viewing options. The combination of traditional broadcast and digital streaming aligns with evolving audience preferences and technological trends.
Highlighting Landmark Races and National Celebrations
Later in the season, two marquee events will stand out on the 2026 Indycar Series schedule. The 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500, set for May 24, remains a crown jewel of open-wheel racing, drawing deep history and widespread attention. Additionally, the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix will occur on August 23 in Washington D.C., hosted on the National Mall as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration. This historic location has not hosted a formal race since a horse race in 1801 during President Thomas Jefferson’s administration, making it a highly significant and symbolic venue for this milestone event.
Advances in Broadcast Technology Enhance Viewing Experience
FOX INDYCAR continues to push the boundaries of race coverage through innovative technology. This year, the network will expand the use of the Racing Force Driver’s Eye cameras, some of the smallest ever deployed in live sports, equipping six cars per race with dual-stream capability. The broadcasts will also feature first-person aerial footage captured by high-speed drones operated by Beverly Hills Aerials, combined with augmented reality heads-up displays and advanced graphics packages. Multiple audio enhancements offer fans an immersive experience, delivering new perspectives during every race weekend.
Expanded Coverage for Spanish-Speaking Audiences on FOX Deportes
FOX Deportes returns with increased Spanish-language coverage of key races within the IndyCar Series. Exclusive broadcasts include the season opener at St. Petersburg, the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, and the season-ending race at Laguna Seca. Other races featuring Spanish-language coverage include Arlington, Long Beach, Road America, Mid-Ohio, and Portland. Leading the FOX Deportes commentary team are veteran play-by-play announcer Tony Rivera and Emmy Award-winning analyst Jessi Losada, providing expert insights and balanced commentary.
2026 FOX INDYCAR and NASCAR Broadcast Schedule for St. Petersburg Weekend
The opening weekend schedule at St. Petersburg includes events across several days, beginning on Friday, February 27, with practices for INDYCAR NXT by Firestone and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES on FS2, followed by NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice and qualifying.
On Saturday, February 28, practices continue for INDYCAR NXT and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES on FS1, with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race airing live on FOX at noon Eastern. Qualifying sessions for INDYCAR NXT and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES take place later that afternoon on FS2.
The highlight on Sunday, March 1, features an INDYCAR NXT warm-up and race in the morning, with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES race airing live at noon on FOX and FOX Deportes, launching what promises to be a season filled with competitive racing and dynamic storylines.
