Santino Ferrucci, the NTT IndyCar Series driver who resides in Dallas, is gearing up for the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington set for March 13-15. With the race taking place on a brand-new street circuit in Arlington’s Entertainment District, Ferrucci is poised to face fresh challenges as he competes on the 2.73-mile track winding through the city, an event broadcast live nationwide by FOX Sports.
Past Lessons and Unique Track Features
Ferrucci recalls an early mistake from his 2018 rookie season when he explored the DetroitBelle Isle course unauthorized during setup, a move he now knows was frowned upon. He said,
“A long time ago. So I was in my rookie season, and I went out when they were loading in, and I just drove around the track. I didn’t know any better. So apparently it’s frowned upon. [I was] still new to the series.”
The experience taught him the importance of respecting protocols, especially with new courses.
Regarding the Arlington street track, Ferrucci pointed out its unusual layout, noting how much of it lies on the opposite side of the road from the racing direction. He admitted,
“It’s kind of hard, because the way that this track runs, so much of it is actually on the opposite side of the road. So you’re going the wrong direction.”
This complexity could make pre-race reconnaissance less effective for drivers accustomed to scouting tracks on foot or by vehicle.
Active Involvement Beyond Racing
As the headline driver for A.J. Foyt Racing, piloting the patriotic No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Dallara Chevrolet, Ferrucci embraced an opportunity to promote the Grand Prix beyond the cockpit. He participated in installing promotional graphics at Globe Life Field in Arlington, gaining an elevated perspective of the race environment. Reflecting on the experience, he remarked,
Image of: Santino Ferrucci
“a little interesting going up that high”
but clarified he is simply uneasy with heights rather than afraid.
The race’s unique setting at the home venues of the Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, and Choctaw Stadium highlights the collaborative effort behind the event. Partners Penske Entertainment, the Cowboys organization, and REV Entertainment have combined resources to establish a visually compelling and strategically significant course in Texas.
Expectations for a New and Exciting Race Season
Ferrucci expressed enthusiasm about the NTT IndyCar Series’ evolving schedule, which introduces four new tracks this year, including three brand-new street courses like Arlington’s. He emphasized the added excitement this variety brings to the competition and fan engagement. He shared,
“I’m looking forward to it. I mean, we’ve got four new tracks this year on the calendar, three of which are brand-new street courses, which is so cool.”
The addition of a Texas race was especially significant for the series’ reach. Ferrucci remarked,
“We needed to be racing in Texas. Now we are. We needed a Northeast race, regardless what it was. DC is the ultimate for media visibility—for our team, especially for the likes of our sponsors, Homes For Our Troops, running the red, white, and blue flag in our car all year long. So I’m just really thrilled with everything that the series has done, especially this season on FOX, to really put us out there and put us in the spotlight.”
With FOX Sports owning a stake in the IndyCar Series, the network has a vested interest in elevating the sport’s profile, which aligns with Ferrucci’s hopes for increased exposure for his sponsors and team.
Confidence Growing Amidst Intense Competition
Ferrucci’s assertive style both on and off the track has earned respect in the racing community. His willingness to compete in diverse events like the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals earned praise from racing legend Tony Stewart, who noted Ferrucci was the only IndyCar driver he could name with the passion and courage for such an endeavor.
Earlier predictions by Ferrucci about contending for the IndyCar championship were met with skepticism, but strong performances—including runner-up at Detroit and podium finishes at the Indianapolis 500, St. Louis, and Road America—have silenced many critics. Reflecting on his trajectory, Ferrucci said,
“I think people should be nervous once we get our consistency going, because we’ll be competitive,”
and added,
“And with our partnership with Penske, our engineering staff, we’ve had no turnover in our team… There’s so many things that are just going right for us. It’s just going to be about putting it together at this point. This is going to be a good year, and I’m really looking forward to that.”
Shared Insights from Fellow Drivers
Ferrucci’s ambitions echo the experiences of fellow competitors like four-time series champion Alex Palou, who reflected on his own struggles before joining Chip Ganassi Racing:
“nobody wanted me. It’s all about timing on everything—in sports, in life.”
Ferrucci resonated with this sentiment, hopeful that his time to shine is imminent.
His visible presence in Arlington last Saturday, physically rising high above the ground to assist with race preparations, perhaps symbolizes the rising prominence he now holds within the IndyCar community.
