The 2026 NTT IndyCar Series kicks off this weekend on the vibrant streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, from February 27 to March 1. Drivers will tackle the challenging 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street course that snakes through downtown St. Pete and a runway at Albert Whitted Airport during the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the 23rd IndyCar race to take place on this demanding track.
Alex Palou Aims for Unprecedented Fifth Championship
Four-time champion Alex Palou, a key figure in this season’s story, arrives at St. Petersburg as the reigning series champion for the fourth time in five years, boasting titles from 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025. Driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, Palou also enters as last year’s race winner here. Securing a fifth championship would make him the first driver since Sébastien Bourdais, who won four straight from 2004 to 2007, to claim four consecutive IndyCar titles.
Recap of Last Year’s Thrilling Firestone Grand Prix
The previous St. Petersburg race offered an intense start when Nolan Siegel, Will Power, and Louis Foster collided in a multi-car incident on the first lap, scrambling the field. Pole sitter Scott McLaughlin from Team Penske led early, but it was Palou who delivered a commanding performance. Managing strategy, tires, and pace flawlessly in his No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, Palou captured the lead and maintained it to win by 2.8669 seconds over teammate Scott Dixon.
Dixon, notable for running the last 90 of 100 laps without radio contact, impressively secured second place. Josef Newgarden completed the podium in third, setting the tone for Palou’s dominant run through 2025.
Palou’s Quest to Cement Racing History
Palou’s pursuit of a fifth title in six years commands attention as he faces steep competition on a circuit where he excelled last season. His consistent excellence makes him a favorite to make IndyCar history.
Scott Dixon’s Elusive Victory at St. Pete
Despite being a six-time series champion and the second-most winning driver in IndyCar history behind A.J. Foyt, Scott Dixon has never won in 21 starts at St. Petersburg. This is the longest active winless streak at a single venue among current drivers. Nonetheless, Dixon’s consistency here is remarkable—with five second-place finishes, an average finish of 7.33, and top-10 results in his last ten visits, including a runner-up spot last year. Driving the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda, Dixon is determined to end this streak.
Will Power’s Qualifying Supremacy on the Streets
Will Power, known as the modern era’s pole position leader with 71 career poles, dominates St. Petersburg qualifying. Representing Team Penske, he has secured nine of the last sixteen poles at this track. Only a few drivers, including Robert Wickens, Colton Herta, Romain Grosjean, Josef Newgarden, and Scott McLaughlin, have interrupted his qualifying dominance over the past decade.
Team Penske’s Stronghold and Notable Winners at St. Pete
Team Penske commands the St. Petersburg venue with 11 victories, including seven of the last 14 races. Winning from pole position remains a rare feat here, achieved only by four drivers: Hélio Castroneves (2007), Will Power (2010), Colton Herta (2021), and Scott McLaughlin (2022). Previous winners racing this weekend include Will Power (two wins), Josef Newgarden (twice), Graham Rahal (2008), Marcus Ericsson (2023), Pato O’Ward (2024), and Alex Palou (2025).
Scott Dixon will be making his record-extending 420th IndyCar start, marking his 22nd consecutive event at St. Petersburg, the longest active streak for any driver at this venue.
Rookies and New Teams Bring Fresh Talent to the Streets
The developmental INDY NXT series also starts its 17-race season here, marking its 14th appearance in St. Pete. Local favorite Nikita Johnson of Cape Motorsports leads five Florida-based drivers. The field this year represents nine countries and includes new teams like AJ Foyt Racing, Juncos Hollinger Racing, and Cusick Morgan Motorsports. Notably, Dennis Hauger, the 2025 INDY NXT winner on this very circuit, moves up to IndyCar this season, suggesting a bright future.
Race Weekend Schedule and Broadcast Details
The race weekend begins on Friday, February 27, with INDY NXT practice at 12:30 p.m. followed by IndyCar practice at 1:35 p.m. Saturday features morning practices for both series, followed by qualifying sessions in the afternoon. Sunday starts with an IndyCar warmup at 9:05 a.m., then the INDY NXT Grand Prix of St. Petersburg at 10:06 a.m., and concludes with the main event, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, at 12:29 p.m.
Live coverage will appear on FS1 and FS2, with the race airing on FOX at noon ET. The broadcast team includes Will Buxton, Townsend Bell, and James Hinchcliffe, supported by pit reporters Georgia Henneberry, Kevin Lee, and Jack Harvey. The IndyCar Radio Network will provide live commentary on SiriusXM channel 218 and online platforms.
Technical Regulations and Tire Strategy at St. Petersburg
Teams in the IndyCar Series are allowed 150 seconds of total hybrid deployment, capped at 15 seconds per activation with a maximum of 310 kJ per lap. INDY NXT cars have 50 seconds total. Firestone supplies five sets of primary and five sets of alternate tires to teams, with rookies receiving an additional primary set. During the race, competitors must use at least one set of primary tires and two sets of alternate tires for a minimum of two laps each.
Anticipation Builds as Green Flag Approaches
With the green flag dropping at 12:29 p.m. on Sunday, the St. Petersburg streets will once again showcase intense racing, strategic battles, and the pursuit of championship glory. As Alex Palou strives for historic achievements, Scott Dixon seeks to end his winless streak, and rising talents debut, this weekend promises to ignite the passion and drama of the IndyCar Series at one of its most exciting venues.
