The 2026 IndyCar season is set to kick off with the opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Alex Palou enters as the defending champion, and dominant driver Chip Ganassi Racing is aiming for a fifth crown.
There are several faces in new places, including a veteran Willwho is leaving Penske for a new home in Andretti. David Malukas will take Power’s place as driver of the No. 12, with three rookies competing full-time. These new challengers are Mick Schumacher, Dennis Hauger and Caio Collet.
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IndyCar will be joined by the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in St. Pete, as the third tier of NASCAR takes to a street course for the first time in its more than 30 years of existence. Former IndyCar stars Dario Franchitti and James Hinchcliffe will be on the grid, as will the IMSA veteran Colin Braun.
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Friday February 27
12:30 p.m. EST – Indy NXT Practice – FOX SPORTS 2
1:35 p.m. EST – IndyCar Practice #1 – FOX SPORTS 2
4:00 p.m. EST – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Practices – FOX SPORTS 2
5:00 p.m. EST – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying – FOX SPORTS 2
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Saturday February 28
8:30 a.m. EST – Indy NXT Practice – FOX SPORTS 1
9:35 a.m. EST – IndyCar Practice #2 – FOX SPORTS 1
12:00 p.m. EST – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race (80 laps) – FOX
3:05 p.m. EST – Indy NXT Qualifying – FOX SPORTS 2
4:30 p.m. EST – IndyCar Qualifying – FOX SPORTS 2
Sunday March 1st
9:05 a.m. EST – IndyCar Warm-Up – FOX SPORTS 1
10:05 a.m. EST – NXT Indy Race (45 laps) – FOX SPORTS 1
12:00 p.m. EST – IndyCar Pre-Race – FOX
12:22 p.m. EST – Green flag for IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (100 laps) – FOX
Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske
Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske
How can I watch the IndyCar season opener in St. Pete?
Date: Sunday March 1st TV start time: 12:00 p.m. EST TV channel: FOX | TSN (Canada) | Other international viewing options Streaming: FOX Sports app Radio: Radio IndyCar
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Weather forecast
Even though Sunday looks clear, there is a 50% chance of thunderstorms late Friday afternoon, and that chance increases to over 80% throughout the day Saturday.
Who is racing this weekend?
There are 25 cars on the entry list at St. Pete, including no Prema as the team focuses on restructuring after some recent upheaval.
|
Car number – Driver |
Team |
Manufacturer |
|
#2 – Joseph Newgarden |
Team Penske |
Chevrolet |
|
#3 – Scott McLaughlin |
Team Penske |
Chevrolet |
|
#4 – Caio Collet |
AJ Foyt Enterprises |
Chevrolet |
|
#5 – Pato O’Ward |
McLaren Arrow |
Chevrolet |
|
#6 – Nolan Siegel |
McLaren Arrow |
Chevrolet |
|
#7 – Christian Lundgaard |
McLaren Arrow |
Chevrolet |
|
#8 – Kyffin Simpson |
Chip Ganassi Racing |
Honda |
|
#9 – Scott Dixon |
Chip Ganassi Racing |
Honda |
|
#10 – Alex Palou |
Chip Ganassi Racing |
Honda |
|
#12 – David Malukas |
Team Penske |
Chevrolet |
|
#14 – Santino Ferrucci |
AJ Foyt Enterprises |
Chevrolet |
|
#15 – Graham Rahal |
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing |
Honda |
|
#18 – Romain Grosjean |
Dale Coyne Racing |
Honda |
|
#19 – Dennis Hauger |
Dale Coyne Racing |
Honda |
|
#20 – Alexander Rossi |
Ed Carpenter Races |
Chevrolet |
|
#21 – Christian Rasmussen |
Ed Carpenter Racing |
Chevrolet |
|
#26 – Will |
Andretti Global |
Honda |
|
#27 – Kyle Kirkwood |
Andretti Global |
Honda |
|
#28 – Marcus Ericsson |
Andretti Global |
Honda |
|
#45 – Louis Foster |
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing |
Honda |
|
#47 – Mick Schumacher |
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing |
Honda |
|
#60 – Felix Rosenqvist |
Meyer Shank Racing with Agajanian border |
Honda |
|
#66 – Marcus Armstrong |
Meyer Shank Racing with Agajanian border |
Honda |
|
#76 – Rinus VeeKay |
Juncos Hollinger Racing |
Chevrolet |
|
#77 – Sting Ray Robb |
Juncos Hollinger Racing |
Chevrolet |
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