Four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou has expressed strong interest in attempting an Alex Palou NASCAR IndyCar double at Phoenix Raceway in 2026, where both top-tier IndyCar and NASCAR events will take place on the same weekend. This new collaboration between the two championships offers Palou the unique opportunity to compete in both series, possibly on the same day, showcasing his versatility and determination.
The 2026 IndyCar schedule has seen significant changes, with Phoenix Raceway and the Arlington Grand Prix replacing Thermal Club on the calendar. The season is set to start at St. Petersburg, with the second race planned at Phoenix Raceway. This venue will host a combined race weekend featuring the NASCAR Cup Series and the IndyCar championship, creating a major motorsport event in early rounds of the season.
The Phoenix Raceway’s event will span a weekend where the IndyCar race is scheduled for Saturday, followed by the NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday. This joint showcase marks an important moment, bringing together stock car and open-wheel racing on the same track with shared fanfare and atmosphere, echoing the last time both series competed at one venue, which was at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2020.
Alex Palou Reflects on Previous NASCAR-IndyCar Venue Experience and His Ambition at Phoenix
During the Speed Street podcast, Palou recalled the 2020 Indianapolis Motor Speedway event, emphasizing how both series operated with separate paddocks and limited interaction, making it less of a truly collaborative event. This time, he hopes the Phoenix weekend will offer more integrated opportunities.
Palou openly shared his enthusiasm for trying out NASCAR machinery, saying,
“We’re doing this together. And I would love to see the cars. I want to touch the cars. I want to see the cars like I’m interested. And if they allow me to drive one of them as well, like, let’s do it.
— Alex Palou, four-time IndyCar champion
Conor Daly, another IndyCar driver and frequent podcast co-host, cheekily added,
“There you go. Alex Palou double that day. I’m calling for that. I think that’ll be sweet. You know what we also need, Alex? We need you in a NASCAR truck on the St. Petersburg weekend, added Conor Daly
— Conor Daly, IndyCar driver
Palou quickly responded to Daly’s suggestion, stating,
“Yeah, I’m not doing that. You do that,” replied Alex Palou
— Alex Palou, four-time IndyCar champion
Potential for Scott McLaughlin to Compete in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at St. Petersburg
The upcoming NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will debut on the same race weekend as the IndyCar event at St. Petersburg’s street circuit. Both Palou and Daly expressed interest in seeing a fellow IndyCar driver participate in that NASCAR Truck race, specifically nominating Scott McLaughlin as a prime candidate to take on that challenge.
Palou made his stance clear on personally doubling in the Truck Series, saying,
“I actually would push somebody from IndyCar to do it and I would be cheering for him, but it’s not going to be me doing it,” said Alex Palou
— Alex Palou, four-time IndyCar champion
Daly enthusiastically endorsed McLaughlin’s name, adding,
“I think Scotty Mac could be a good one. I think that would be a cool one to watch for spectators for us. That’s my volunteer. I think we volunteer him to do that,” added Conor Daly
— Conor Daly, IndyCar driver
Palou concurred with Daly’s suggestion, concluding,
“I volunteer Scott McLaughlin as well,” concluded Palou
— Alex Palou, four-time IndyCar champion
Coming from a successful background in the V8 Supercars championship, Scott McLaughlin has demonstrated adaptability and skill, qualities that could translate well to NASCAR competition. His addition to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at St. Petersburg would likely enhance the cross-discipline excitement for motorsports fans attending the event.
Significance and Future Prospects of the Phoenix IndyCar and NASCAR Collaboration
The inclusion of Phoenix Raceway on the 2026 IndyCar calendar and its coordinated scheduling alongside NASCAR’s races marks a notable moment in American motorsports. By bringing together two of the country’s most prominent racing series on one weekend and venue, fans will experience a diverse and thrilling showcase of racing talent and machine.
For drivers like Alex Palou, this provides a rare occasion to expand their skill sets and perhaps seize the historic opportunity to compete in both IndyCar and NASCAR events in a single weekend. Palou’s expressed interest in attempting such a double highlights the optimism and ambition shared by many within the sport.
Looking ahead, if Palou or other drivers successfully complete a NASCAR-IndyCar double at Phoenix or St. Petersburg, it could inspire further crossover endeavors, deepen collaboration between the series, and broaden fan engagement. As NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series makes its debut at St. Petersburg, the motorsports community eagerly anticipates seeing how drivers like Scott McLaughlin perform in this new environment.
With this fresh chapter in the 2026 motorsport calendar, Alex Palou’s potential NASCAR IndyCar double could become a defining moment, showcasing both skill and daring at one of the sport’s most versatile venues.
