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INDYCAR SERIESNXT SERIES

INDYCAR SERIES

 

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The IndyCar Series, officially known as the NTT IndyCar Series for sponsorship reasons, is the highest class of American open-wheel car racing in the United States, which has been conducted under the auspices of various sanctioning bodies since 1920. The series is self-sanctioned by its parent company, IndyCar, LLC, which began in 1996 as the Indy Racing League (IRL) and was created by then Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George as a competitor to Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART). In 2008, the IndyCar Series merged with CART's successor, the Champ Car World Series, unifying the history and statistics of both series (as well as those from their predecessors).

Kirkwood Outduels Champ Palou To Win Arlington, Take Series Lead 
ARLINGTON, Texas (Sunday, March 15, 2026) – It’s been a long time since a rival driver made Alex Palou blink, but Kyle Kirkwood achieved that rare feat to win the inaugural Java House Grand Prix at Arlington on Sunday.

Kirkwood took the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship lead and earned his first victory of the season despite a sluggish final pit stop by his Andretti Global crew, driving his No. 27 JM Bullion/Gold.com Honda to victory under caution over the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda of four-time series champion Palou, who has won the title the last three seasons.

SEE: Race Results

“That was so incredible,” Kirkwood said. “Man, did we have some pace. This JM Bullion Honda, Andretti, all these guys right here, they gave me the tools today. It’s because of this race car we won today, because of teamwork.

“One-three-four (finish) for Andretti; we’re just so stacked here. I’m so stoked.”

Andretti Global placed three drivers into the top four at the finish of the 70-lap street-circuit race around AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, and Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers. Will Power placed third in the No. 26 TWG AI Honda for his first podium finish at his new team after 16 full-time seasons at Team Penske. Marcus Ericsson, who earned his first career pole Saturday, finished fourth in the No. 28 InPwr Honda.

Pato O’Ward rounded out the top five finishers in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, the highest-placing Chevrolet-powered driver on the 14-turn, 2.73-mile circuit.

“This Andretti Honda camp is fricking strong on street courses,” O’Ward said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do if we want to start winning races on outright pace against them.”

Pure pace helped Kirkwood, who started seventh and overcome a tepid final pit stop to overhaul Palou down the stretch.

Palou and Kirkwood were running first and second, respectively, when both made their final stops on the preferred three-stop strategy on Lap 49. The Chip Ganassi Racing crew completed Palou’s stop in 7.7 seconds, while Kirkwood’s service took 9.5 seconds due to a slow change of the right rear wheel.

When both drivers returned to full steam on their out lap, Palou led Kirkwood by 2.2 seconds. But Kirkwood used the speed that helped him lead the pre-qualifying practice Saturday, pulling to within .323 of a second of Palou at the start of Lap 55, with both drivers on the more durable Firestone Firehawk tires in a straight-up duel for the win.

Kirkwood didn’t waste any time flexing muscle, diving under Palou from a long distance in Turn 13 near the end of Lap 55 and making the daring pass stick for the lead.

“He did an awesome pass; hats off to him,” Palou said. “It was super clean, and it was pretty impressive. We’ll get them in a couple weeks.”

Kirkwood then started to pull away, building a five-second lead by Lap 66. Then that margin evaporated when ECR driver Christian Rasmussen nosed his No. 21 Java House Chevrolet into the tire barrier at pit exit on Lap 68, triggering the first full-course yellow of the race.

That bunched the field for a one-lap dash to the checkered flag. Kirkwood pulled away on the restart and was able to exhale early in the final lap when the second and final full-course yellow flew due to a collision between the No. 18 BMax Honda of Dale Coyne Racing’s Romain Grosjean and the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet of Nolan Siegel deep in the field.

“Not today,” Palou said when asked if he thought he could have caught Kirkwood on the final lap. “I was pushing really hard on the first and second stint, and I could see that the 27 (Kirkwood) and the 12 (Power) were a little bit faster than us. I was like, ‘Oh, man, it’s going to be quite hard.’”

Kirkwood then cruised around the circuit one last time under yellow to cheers from the capacity crowd at this event, a joint venture between Penske Entertainment, the Dallas Cowboys and REV Entertainment, the official events partner of the Texas Rangers. He leads the standings by 26 points over second-place Palou after three of 18 races.

“It’s only race number three, so I’m not looking at the championship,” Kirkwood said. “But it is nice to say it’s the first time I’ve ever led the championship in the INDYCAR SERIES.”

The taut nature of the race, with its varying strategies about how often to stop for tires, resulted in terrific parity up front. Kirkwood, Palou and Power each led 16 laps to tie for the race high, with Ericsson fourth with 15 laps led.

Caio Collet was the top-finishing rookie, 12th in the No. 4 Combitrans Amazonia Chevrolet fielded by AJ Foyt Racing.

Phoenix winner Josef Newgarden, who entered this event in the series lead, fell to third after finishing 15th in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet.

After three consecutive race weekends to open the season, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will get a short break before resuming with the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix powered by AmFirst on March 27-29 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama.

 

 

 

ARLINGTON, Texas (Saturday, March 14, 2026) – Marcus Ericsson left no doubt this time.

After three near-misses, Ericsson earned his first career NTT INDYCAR SERIES pole position Saturday by winning the NTT P1 Award for the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington.

SEE: Qualifying Results

Ericsson, from Sweden, was the first driver to lay down a qualifying lap in the new one-lap, single-car format for the Firestone Fast Six. The top six from the second round of qualifying were inverted for the final round, with the slowest running first and quickest last.

None of the five drivers to follow could beat Ericsson’s run of 1 minute, 34.3562 seconds in the No. 28 InPwr Honda of Andretti Global. His best lap was nearly half a second quicker than his closest pursuer, Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing.

Ericsson’s first career pole came in his 117th INDYCAR SERIES event, as his previous best was second three times, including at this year’s season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

“I’ve waited long enough; I can tell you that,” a jubilant Ericsson said. “I think 2013 was the last pole I had. I feel like this is a giant thing for me because of that. Two-hundredths of a second away at St. Pete.”

Reigning and four-time series champion Palou qualified second at 1:34.8180 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. Palou was the last driver on the 14-turn, 2.73-mile temporary street circuit in qualifying, as he was the quickest among 12 drivers in the second round.

Pato O’Ward will start third after his run of 1:34.8453 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, with Will Power joining him in Row 2 after a lap of 1:35.0856 in the No. 26 TWG AI Honda of Andretti Global.

Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb Agajanian teammates locked out the third row. Felix Rosenqvist will start fifth after his lap of 1:35.1607 in the No. 60 SiriusXM/Texas A&M Honda, with Marcus Armstrong sixth at 1:35.6012 in the No. 66 ROOT Insurance Honda.

Honda-powered drivers took six of the top seven qualifying spots for the 70-lap race, which will feature a new start time due to forecasted high winds later Sunday afternoon in North Texas. Live coverage will start at 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday on FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One, the FOX Sports app and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls, with the green flag set for noon ET.

The pre-race warmup is moving to 9:50-10:10 a.m. ET, with live coverage on FS1, FOX One, the FOX Sports app and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls from 9:30-10:30 a.m. ET.

This exciting new event is a joint venture between Penske Entertainment, the Dallas Cowboys and REV Entertainment, the official events partner of the Texas Rangers. The 14-turn, 2.73-mile temporary street circuit winds around AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys’ home field, and Globe Life Field, the Rangers’ home.

Ericsson barely advanced to the Firestone Fast Six, which featured the new format for the first time at this race. He was only sixth quickest in the first group of the first round, the last driver to advance, and he bumped teammate Kyle Kirkwood from the second round on his final lap, earning the sixth and final transfer spot.

“I want to shout out my pit crew here,” Ericsson said. “They’ve done a tremendous job. We were all over the place in Q1, but in Q2 and Q3 they improved the car. It’s just amazing.”

The top three drivers in the series standings failed to advance to the Firestone Fast Six.

Series leader Josef Newgarden crashed in practice Saturday morning, damaging his chassis and forcing Team Penske to switch to a backup car for qualifying. Newgarden was eliminated in the second round and will start 11th in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet.

Kirkwood, second in points and quickest in the morning practice, will start seventh in the No. 27 JM Bullion/Gold.com Honda of Andretti Global.

Scott McLaughlin faces the toughest task among the top three in the standings, as he will start last in the 25-car field after crashing in his No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet in the first round. McLaughlin brushed the inside wall in Turn 8, hopped the inside curb and slid into the concrete retaining wall, inflicting heavy damage in an incident very similar to teammate Newgarden’s earlier in the day.

 

 

McLaughlin Jubilant With Time

ARLINGTON, Texas (Friday, March 13, 2026) – Scott McLaughlin had a great time in the first practice Friday for the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, and his pleasure didn’t come just from the fast digits next to his name on the results sheet.

McLaughlin led the 80-minute first session for the third NTT INDYCAR SERIES race of the season, producing a best lap of 1 minute, 34.8926 seconds in the No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet. But McLaughlin was just as happy with the layout of the 14-turn, 2.73-mile temporary street circuit that winds around AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, and Globe Life Field, home of MLB’s Texas Rangers.

SEE: Practice Results

“That is instantly my most favorite street circuit ever,” McLaughlin said. “That is such a blast. The DEX Chevy feels great. It’s just an absolute ball to drive. I’m like a little kid again. This is great.”

McLaughlin will aim for his second NTT P1 Award of this young season in qualifying at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday (FS2, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls). He won the pole for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg two weekends ago. Another 80-minute practice will precede qualifying at 9:35 a.m. ET Saturday (FS1, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls).

Live coverage of the 70-lap race, a joint venture between INDYCAR, the Cowboys and the Rangers, starts at 12:30 p.m. ET Sunday (FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls).

Reigning and four-time series champion Alex Palou started his rebound from a 24th-place finish at the last race, the Good Ranchers 250 on March 7 at Phoenix Raceway, by ending up second in practice today at 1:34.9513 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.

Will Power, also looking for a bounce-back after sitting 22nd in points after two races, was third at 1:35.3051 in the No. 26 TWG AI Honda fielded by Andretti Global. Pato O’Ward ended up fourth at 1:35.3641 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.

Felix Rosenqvist rounded out the top five at 1:35.3775 in the No. 60 SiriusXM/Texas A&M Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian. That time came despite Rosenqvist brushing the concrete barriers lining the challenging, fast, flowing circuit after his car snapped suddenly near the final turn late in the session.

“The track (surface) is a little rougher than we expected,” Rosenqvist said. “Good fun, though. They did a great job on the layout.”

Series leader Josef Newgarden, winner last Saturday at Phoenix, was 16th out of 25 drivers at 1:36.3108 in the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet. 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone champion Dennis Hauger was the quickest rookie, 10th overall at 1:36.0528 in the No. 19 Ault Block Chain Honda of Dale Coyne Racing.

Less than one second separated the top eight drivers as the entire field learned the new circuit. The drivers filling the top 10 spots represented seven different teams, as Chip Ganassi Racing, Andretti Global and Arrow McLaren each ended up with two drivers in that group.

There were two red flags stopping action during the session, including one for contact. Sting Ray Robb hit the wall in Turn 1 in the No. 77 Juncos Hollinger – Goodheart Chevrolet 15 minutes into the practice. He was unhurt.

That was the start of a fraught session for Juncos Hollinger Racing. Robb’s teammate, Rinus VeeKay, triggered the second red flag 23 minutes later when he drove into the runoff area in Turn 10 at the end of the long backstraight, smoke pouring from the rear wheels of his No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet.

 

 

 

AVONDALE, Ariz. (Saturday, March 7, 2026) – It took Josef Newgarden 17 races last year to earn his only victory of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.

That winning box already is checked this year, two races in.

SEE: Race Results

Two-time series champion Newgarden earned his first victory of the season and 33rd of his illustrious career by closing down and passing leader Kyle Kirkwood with seven laps remaining to win the Good Ranchers 250 on Saturday at Phoenix Raceway. Newgarden, who started second, drove away to a 1.7937-second victory in the No. 2 XPEL Team Penske Chevrolet over the No. 27 JM Bullion/Gold.com of Andretti Global driver Kirkwood.

“I’m very surprised,” Newgarden said. “In the middle of the race, I don’t know that I was fully believing that we had the capability to win. We just kept working through it, and I’m like, ‘Look, if we get another opportunity, we’re going to be aggressive, we’re going to be on the offense.'

“We took tires, and the thing was like a rocket ship when it needed to be, right at the end of the race. Hats off to the whole crew. I’m pumped.”

NTT P1 Award winner David Malukas finished third in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet as Roger Penske’s legendary team celebrated its 60th anniversary season with two podium positions.

Pato O’Ward finished fourth in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, with Marcus Armstrong rounding out the top five in the No. 66 ROOT Insurance Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian.

INDYCAR’s first race in Phoenix since 2018 – Newgarden and Team Penske also won that event – featured plenty of action throughout the field, as there were 565 on-track passes, an INDYCAR record at the 1-mile desert oval. But a combination of tire strategy and deft maneuvering in traffic delivered the victory to Newgarden, who also won the season-ending race last August at Nashville Superspeedway to avoid a winless 2025.

Kirkwood made his last stop on Lap 192 and was running fourth behind teammate Will Power, Christian Rasmussen and O’Ward on Lap 207. Power and Rasmussen were engaged in a ferocious duel for the lead, with the left front wing end plate of Rasmussen’s No. 21 ECR Splenda Stevia Chevrolet making contact with the right rear tire of Power’s No. 26 TWG AI Honda exiting Turn 2.

That impact cut Power’s tire, triggering the final caution period of the race and ending his chances of an improbable victory after starting last in the 25-car field. Rasmussen’s car also was damaged.

During that final caution period, Newgarden and a handful of other drivers near the front entered pit lane for fresh Firestone Firehawk tires, as tire grip was a far bigger strategic factor in this race than fuel management. Rasmussen, Kirkwood, Malukas and Armstrong were among the drivers who decided to stay on track, opting for track position over traction.

Rasmussen led at the final restart of the 250-lap race on Lap 218, but his damaged car ended up being no match for Kirkwood, who drove past Rasmussen for the lead on Lap 242. Rasmussen faded in the last eight laps with car damage and worn tires, placing a bitterly disappointed 14th after thrilling the large crowd with many daring passes to get to the front five times for 69 laps.

“We were the class of the field today – best car out there,” Rasmussen said. “It’s so frustrating because we should have won the race today.”

Kirkwood led Newgarden by six-tenths of a second when he took the lead, but Newgarden’s tire advantage was obvious within less than a lap. Newgarden gnawed into Kirkwood’s lead and drove under Kirkwood in Turn 4 for the lead for good just two laps later, on Lap 244.

“We thought about it, but we were talking about it, and the pits opened,” Kirkwood said about the possibility of pitting during the late caution. “(Staying out) was the right thing to do at the time.”

As a bonus in this young season, Newgarden became the first driver other than four-time series champion Alex Palou to lead the standings since June 2024. Two-time Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winner Newgarden leads Kirkwood, 78-73, after two races as he tries to win the series crown for the first time since 2019.

“Do we really have the lead?” Newgarden said. “Two races in, so I wouldn’t read too much into it. But momentum is a big deal. It’s very difficult to understand how things work. Sometimes things go against us, sometimes they go for us. It was just great execution by the team.”

Palou placed 24th, completing just 21 laps in No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, after side-by-side contact with the No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet of Rinus VeeKay led to a trip into the SAFER Barrier.

It was Palou’s worst finish since he placed 25th last June in Detroit after contact eliminated him from that street race.

The feverish start to the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season continues with a third race in three weekends, the highly anticipated debut of the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington on Sunday, March 15 in Arlington, Texas. The temporary street circuit travels around AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, and Globe Life Field, the home of the Texas Rangers.

 

AVONDALE, Ariz. (Friday, March 6, 2026) – The stage is set for an even bigger breakthrough for David Malukas after he earned his first career NTT P1 Award in qualifying Friday for the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway.

Malukas’ first pole is paving the fastest path for him to potentially earn his first career victory in the 250-lap race Saturday (3 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio, powered by OnlyBulls). Malukas, who joined Team Penske in the offseason to start his fifth year in the series, turned the fastest two-lap qualifying average of 175.383 mph in the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet.

SEE: Qualifying Results

Chicago-area native Malukas earned the second starting spot three times last season with AJ Foyt Racing, including on ovals at Milwaukee and Nashville.

“Finally!” Malukas said. “I’m so happy. So many P2s. The story of ovals last season was we had it, waited until the last few guys and then boom, you get P2. But finally we got it."

Malukas was the 13th of 24 drivers to make a qualifying attempt today on the 1-mile desert oval at Phoenix after leading practice this morning at 175.605.

“I think the track got in our favor a little bit; it seemed like it was getting a bit worse. It feels so good. What a way to start our Phoenix race day tomorrow.”

Malukas’ pole led a front-row sweep for Team Penske, the most successful team in recent years on short ovals. Josef Newgarden, who won in 2018 the last time the series raced at Phoenix, qualified second at 174.548 in the No. 2 XPEL Team Penske Chevrolet.

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing enjoyed a breakthrough qualifying session on a short oval, a weakness for the team in recent seasons. Graham Rahal qualified third at 173.993 in the No. 15 Fifth Third Bank Honda, while rookie Mick Schumacher – competing in his first-ever oval race – stunned by taking the fourth starting spot at 173.667 in the No. 47 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Honda.

“We knew what we had to do, and we managed to put a good couple of laps together,” Formula One veteran Schumacher said. “I’m excited to run the race. It’s going to be a whole different situation in the race with traffic and everything, so it’s going to be tough.”

The last time a rookie qualified better than third in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES race was June 2025, when Louis Foster earned the pole at Road America for Rahal Letterman Lanigan. Rookie Robert Shwartzman also won the pole for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge last May.

Scott McLaughlin put all three Team Penske cars in the top five of the starting lineup, qualifying fifth at 173.448 in the No. 3 Gallagher Insurance Team Penske Chevrolet. 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi, who led the Open Test last month at Phoenix, will start sixth after his qualifying average of 173.389 in the No. 20 ECR Java House Chevrolet.

Four-time series champion Alex Palou, who won the season opener last Sunday at St. Petersburg, qualified 10th at 172.980 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda as the fastest of Ganassi’s three drivers.

The tough start to the 2026 season continued for two-time series champion Will Power at his new home at Andretti Global. Power crashed during qualifying in the No. 26 TWG AI Honda and will start 25th. He finished 22nd in his debut with the team last weekend at St. Petersburg after 17 seasons at Team Penske.

Felix Rosenqvist didn’t participate in qualifying after a crash in practice inflicted heavy damage to his No. 60 SiriusXM Honda of Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb-Agajanian. He will start 24th.

Power and Rosenqvist were unhurt in the incidents.

 

 Java House Grand Prix of Arlington Fast Facts

Race weekend: Friday, March 13-Sunday, March 15

Track: Streets of Arlington, a 2.73-mile, 14-turn, temporary street course (counterclockwise) in Arlington, Texas

Media Links: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Entry List (PDF) | INDY NXT by Firestone Entry List (PDF) | Color Event Schedule (PDF) | Trackside Media Guide (Interactive PDF)

Race distance: 70 laps / 191.1 miles (NTT INDYCAR SERIES) | 27 laps / 73.71 miles / 55 minutes (INDY NXT by Firestone)

Push-to-pass parameters: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: 200 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 20 seconds per activation. | INDY NXT by Firestone: 65 seconds of total time

Hybrid energy deployment parameters: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Unlimited activation with a maximum deployment of 530 kilojoules (kj) per lap

Firestone tire allotment: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Five sets primary, five sets alternate to be used during the event weekend. Teams fielding a rookie driver may use one additional set of primary tires. Teams must use one set of primary and two sets of alternate tires for at least two laps in the race. INDY NXT by Firestone: Three new sets to be used during the event weekend, with one new set used for qualifying. Another new set may be used during the race. Two carryover sets from the St. Petersburg event may be used during the prequalifying practices.

X: @Arlington_GP, @INDYCAR, @INDYNXT, #GPArlington, #INDYCAR

Instagram: @arlington_gp, @IndyCar, @INDYNXT, #GPArlington, #INDYCAR

Facebook: @arlingtongp, @IndyCar, @INDYNXT, #GPArlington, #INDYCAR

TikTok: @IndyCar, #INDYCAR

YouTube: @INDYCAR, @arlington_gp

Event website: www.gparlington.com/

INDYCAR website: www.indycar.com

2025 race winner:

Inaugural Event

Qualifying record:

Inaugural Event

FOX Sports telecasts: NTT INDYCAR SERIES: Practice 1, 4 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live); Practice 2, 9:30 a.m. ET Saturday, FS1 (live); Qualifying, 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FS2 (live); Warmup Show/Final Practice, 10 a.m. ET Sunday, FS1; Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, 12:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, FOX (live). Will Buxton is the play-by-play announcer for FOX’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Georgia Henneberry, Kevin Lee and Jack Harvey are the pit reporters. | INDY NXT by Firestone: Practice 1, 3 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live); Practice 2, 11 a.m.. ET Saturday, FS1 (live); Qualifying, 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FS2 (live); Race, 11 a.m. ET Sunday, FS1 (live). Kevin Lee is the play-by-play announcer for FOX Sports’ coverage of INDY NXT by Firestone alongside analyst Jack Harvey. Georgia Henneberry is the pit reporter.

INDYCAR Radio, powered by OnlyBulls broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside driver analyst Davey Hamilton. Michael Young and Jake Query are the turn announcers. Alex Wollf, Ryan Myrehn, DJ Clark and Jonathan Grace are the pit reporters. The Java House Grand Prix of Arlington race and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practices and qualifying sessions air live on network affiliates,SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. All INDY NXT by Firestone practices, qualifying sessions and races are available on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

At-track schedule (All Times Local/Central Time):

Friday, March 13

2-2:45 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Practice 1, FS2

3:05-4:25 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1 (split group format), FS2

Saturday, March 14

8:35-9:55 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2 (split group format), FS1

10:15-11 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Practice 2, FS2

1:35-3:10 p.m. – NTT P1 Award qualifying (two rounds of knockout qualifying followed by Firestone Fast Six single-car pole showdown), FS2

3:30-4 p.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone qualifying (two groups, 12 minutes each), FS2

Sunday, March 15

9:05-9:35 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warmup, FS1

10:06 a.m. – INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Arlington (27 laps/73.71 miles/55 minutes), FS1 (Live)

11:30 a.m. – FOX Pre-Race Show on air

12:10 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines”

12:17 p.m. – Java House Grand Prix of Arlington (70 laps/191.1 miles ), FOX (Live)

'WHAT TO LOOK FOR' AT ARLINGTON:

New points leader Newgarden aims to continue Texas win streak: One week after taking the NTT INDYCAR SERIES points lead with his thrilling win at Phoenix Raceway, Josef Newgarden heads to Texas in hopes of keeping his dominance in the state. Newgarden won the last two INDYCAR SERIES races in the state – claiming oval wins at Texas Motor Speedway in 2022 and 2023.

Pole Showdown debuts in Texas: INDYCAR will use an updated race qualifying format on the streets of Arlington, Texas. For NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying, while the “knockout” format of Segments 1 and 2 will remain unchanged, the Firestone Fast Six segment will be adjusted to single-car, single-lap qualifying beginning with the sixth-fastest qualifier from Segment 2 and working toward the fastest from the previous round. During the Firestone Fast Six at Arlington, drivers will leave pit lane and get an opportunity for one lap – starting and ending at the alternate start/finish line. Once the car enters pit lane following that driver’s attempt, the next car will be released for its attempt. Tire allotments and tire rules will remain unchanged throughout the event.

Lone Star Links: Even though there aren’t any native Texans in the field for the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, there are several ties to Texas throughout the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field.

  • Santino Ferrucci lives in Dallas and races for Lone Star State legend A.J. Foyt.
  • Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward and his family moved to San Antonio when he was a boy, and he lived there through high school, attending Texas Military Institute in San Antonio.
  • Will Power is a Texan by marriage, as his wife, Liz, hails from Plano.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Notes:

  • The Java House Grand Prix of Arlington will be the first NTT INDYCAR SERIES event on the streets of Arlington. However, it’s not the first time that INDYCAR SERIES cars have raced in Arlington, Texas. Arlington Downs Racetrack, a 1-mile dirt oval whose site is less than a half-mile from the current racetrack, held three points-paying races and two non-championship sweepstakes races from 1947 to 1950.
  • The Streets of Arlington is the fourth road or street circuit to debut on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES calendar since 2021. Chip Ganassi Racing drivers won the previous three debut races. Marcus Ericsson won the inaugural Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on the streets of Nashville in 2021. Alex Palou won the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear when it debuted its new course in downtown Detroit in 2023 and at The Thermal Club in 2025.
  • The Java House Grand Prix of Arlington is the second of six temporary street course races on the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule. Alex Palou won the first street race of the season at St. Petersburg on March 1. The other street course events are scheduled for the Streets of Long Beach on April 19, Streets of Detroit on May 31, the Streets of Markham, Ontario, on Aug. 16 and the Streets of Washington, D.C., on Aug. 23.
  • Milestones: Scott Dixon is expected to make his 422nd INDYCAR SERIES start, extending his INDYCAR SERIES record. Dixon has made 358 consecutive starts heading into the weekend, which is the longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history…Rinus VeeKay is scheduled to make his 100th INDYCAR SERIES start in Arlington…Josef Newgarden needs to lead 58 laps to pass Dario Franchitti for ninth on the INDYCAR SERIES all-time laps led list.

INDY NXT by Firestone Notes:

  • Lone Star State Return: INDY NXT by Firestone returns to Texas for the first time since 2019 with a race on the streets of Arlington. INDY NXT by Firestone has raced in the Lone Star State at both Texas Motor Speedway (2001-05) and Circuit of the Americas (2019).
  • Local favorites: Neither Nicholas Monteiro nor Alessandro de Tullio are native Texans, but the young drivers might be the local favorites. Both youngsters race for one of the Lone Star State’s legendary figures – four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt. The man nicknamed “Super Tex” is a native of Houston, and his team’s headquarters is in Waller, Texas. He was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1967 and has numerous wins in his home state, including an INDY NXT by Firestone win with grandson A.J. Foyt IV at Texas Motor Speedway in 2002.
  • International flair: This weekend’s race will feature drivers representing nine countries. A total of 13 drivers represent the United States. There are three drivers from Australia, two from Mexico and one each from Brazil, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Scotland. 

 

 

INDYCAR to Host First-Ever Street Race on National Mall, Aug. 22-23, 2026
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Monday, March 9, 2026) – Charting the course of racing history, officials today unveiled the unique racetrack design and layout for this summer’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., featuring the cars and stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Set for Aug. 22-23, 2026, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will mark the first‑ever auto race held on the National Mall and the historic city streets of Washington D.C., to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The landmark weekend will be free and open to the public, offering unprecedented access to North America’s premier open-wheel series framed by America’s most iconic symbols of democracy, freedom and unity.

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix street circuit will feature a 1.7‑mile, seven‑turn layout, blending the high‑speed demands of INDYCAR racing with the historic character and stunning visuals of the nation’s capital. The racing circuit will wind around the National Mall, incorporating some of America’s most historic and iconic landmarks.

Designed with fan accessibility, breathtaking views and safety at its core, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix street circuit will feature the high-powered open-wheel cars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES racing on a sweeping .4-mile frontstretch along Pennsylvania Avenue, framed by the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. The pit lane area of the track will be adjacent to the track, on Pennsylvania Avenue, between Turns 1 and 2 on the circuit design. The ultra-competitive INDYCAR field will also race by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery of Art and the National Archives on the challenging and picturesque course layout.

“This circuit is unlike any other street race we’ve seen,” said two‑time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and back‑to‑back Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden, who had the opportunity to tour the circuit on Monday morning. “You’ve got a high‑speed section down Pennsylvania Avenue that will reward commitment and precision, mixed with technical corners around 9th Street that will demand respect. Racing through the heart of American history, with those amazing landmarks lining the course, is going to be incredibly powerful. I can’t wait to be back here to race and celebrate America’s birthday at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.”

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix was formalized through an Executive Order signed earlier this year by President Donald J. Trump entitled “Celebrating American Greatness with American Motor Racing.” The first ever street race around the National Mall enjoys key support from Chief of Protocol of the United States, Ambassador Monica Crowley, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. 

“The story of America is one of vision, courage, perseverance - and speed,” said Ambassador Monica Crowley, President Trump’s representative for America’s 250th. “What better way to showcase our exceptional American spirit than by hosting the Grand Prix in our Nation’s Capital during our 250th birthday year! Presidents Washington and Jefferson marked notable celebrations with spirited horse races; the Freedom 250 race will bring that historic tradition into the 21st century and renew a tremendous sense of patriotic pride.”

Link to Freedom 250 Grand Prix track map, course renders and official event logo approved for media usage

Newgarden, Ambassador Crowley, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum were joined by Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser along with Freedom 250 CEO Keith Krach, Founder, Chairman, Managing Partner & CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Ted Leonsis, FOX Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks and Freedom 250 Grand Prix Chairman Bud Denker on Monday to unveil the course design.

“Freedom doesn’t ring, it revs! The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will showcase American ingenuity in engineering and technology along the backdrop of our historic capital in a spectacle that will leave the world in awe,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “President Trump and our partners at INDYCAR are preparing a historic celebration worthy of America’s 250th anniversary. The design of this unique and competitive track will deliver an exhilarating and safe experience for millions of Americans to enjoy and celebrate.”

"Under President Donald J. Trump, America's 250th will be unlike any moment in our nation's history," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "INDYCAR racing has always captured the American spirit: bold innovation, relentless drive and the determination to lead, and the Department of the Interior is proud to help bring the historic, all-American race to the very streets in Washington D.C. that shaped our great nation. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will mark a milestone lap in American history and stand as a defining moment of the semiquincentennial celebration, bringing to life in our nation's capital the qualities that make America truly exceptional - ambition, speed, resilience and the individual liberty of every American to chart their own path forward."

Buildout of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix circuit will begin later this summer, with the roads near the U.S. Capitol and around the National Mall expected to remain open and accessible throughout the majority of the course creation.

“We are very excited about hosting the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in the Sports Capital,” said Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We want people to plan their trips to DC now. Come for the Freedom 250, and then stay to enjoy our monuments and museums, our beautiful parks, world-class restaurants and hotels, and all the culture and entertainment that make us the best city in the world.”

During Monday’s gathering at the foot of the National Mall, officials also revealed the official Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. event logo. The logo design features an NTT INDYCAR SERIES race car positioned in front of the U.S. Capitol dome rendered in a patriotic red, white and blue color palette.

The official Freedom 250 Grand Prix INDYCAR also made its debut on Monday, featuring a custom red, white and blue livery created specifically to honor 250 years of American Independence. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix INDYCAR is an open‑wheel, single‑seat Dallara chassis identical to those competing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The car will be displayed at prominent locations throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) region over the next several months, serving as a rolling ambassador for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix and building excitement as the nation counts down to the historic INDYCAR race weekend.

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is poised to become a defining moment in American sports history and, like all NTT INDYCAR SERIES events, will be broadcast live on FOX to a national television audience. FOX will feature enhanced coverage of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix as one of its marquee events honoring America’s 250th anniversary.

“This is so much more than another sporting event on the calendar,” said Eric Shanks, FOX Sports CEO & Executive Producer. “It’s a unique opportunity to celebrate the creativity, ingenuity and competitive spirit that helped build America. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix, racing through a monument-filled course in the heart of Washington, D.C., will be a centerpiece of the celebrations honoring our nation’s 250th birthday. FOX Sports is incredibly proud to help bring this historic moment to fans across the country.”

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. is also bolstered by support from Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), which will serve as the event’s Official Marketing, Sponsorships and Corporate Hospitality Sales Partner, leveraging its integrated sports, media and venue platform to connect INDYCAR with fans, partners and the local community. MSE owns the Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA) and Washington Mystics (WNBA), and the company hosts hundreds of high-profile events across the region each year.

For more information and to sign up for updates on the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., visit www.Freedom250GP.com.

# # #

Race weekend: Friday, March 6-Saturday, March 7         

Track: Phoenix Raceway, a 1-mile oval

Media Links: NTT INDYCAR SERIES Entry List (PDF) | Color Event Schedule (PDF)

Race distance: 250 laps / 250 miles

Hybrid energy deployment parameters: Unlimited activation with a maximum deployment of 150 kilojoules (kj) per lap

Firestone tire allotment: Ten sets primary to be used during the event weekend. One additional set is available for use during the group session on Friday.

X: @phoenixraceway, @INDYCAR, #INDYCAR

Instagram: @phoenixraceway, @IndyCar, #INDYCAR

Facebook: @PhoenixRaceway, @IndyCar, #INDYCAR

TikTok: @IndyCar, #INDYCAR

YouTube: @INDYCAR

Event website: www.phoenixraceway.com

INDYCAR website: www.indycar.com

2018 race winner: Josef Newgarden (No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet)

2018 pole winner: Sebastien Bourdais (No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser Sullivan Honda), 39.0285 seconds, 188.539 mph (two laps)

Qualifying records:

One lap: Helio Castroneves, 18.8701 seconds, 194.975 mph, April 28, 2017

Two lap: Helio Castroneves, 37.7538 seconds, 194.905 mph, April 28, 2017

FOX Sports telecasts: Practice 10 a.m. ET, Friday, FS2 (live); Qualifying, 2 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live); High Line Session/Final Practice/Warmup Show, 4:30 p.m. ET Friday, FS2 (live); Race, 3 p.m. ET Saturday, FOX (live). Will Buxton is the play-by-play announcer for FOX’s coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, alongside analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe. Jack Harvey, Georgia Henneberry and Kevin Lee are the pit reporters. All FOX Sports telecasts also are available on FOX One and the FOX Sports app.

INDYCAR Radio, powered by OnlyBulls broadcasts: Mark Jaynes is the anchor alongside driver analyst Davey Hamilton. Alex Hayden is the turn announcer. Alex Wollf, DJ Clark and Chris Wilner are the pit reporters. The Good Ranchers 250 race and all NTT INDYCAR SERIES practices and qualifying sessions air live on network affiliates, SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation 218, indycar.com/leaderboard and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA.

At-track schedule (All Times Local/Mountain Time):

Friday, March 6

8-9 a.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES practice, FS2

12:05-1:05 p.m. – Qualifying for the NTT P1 Award (single car, two timed laps), FS2

2:30-3 p.m. –  NTT INDYCAR SERIES Group Session (Two groups, 15 minutes each), FS2

3:10-4 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Final Practice, FS2

Saturday, March 7

12:30 p.m. – NTT INDYCAR SERIES Driver Introductions

1 p.m. – FOX Sports on air

1:15 p.m. – “Drivers, start your engines.”

1:20 p.m. – Good Ranchers 250 (250 laps / 250 miles), FOX, FOX One, FOX Sports App (Live)

‘WHAT TO LOOK FOR’ AT PHOENIX:

Palou continues historic title chase at Phoenix: Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou claimed the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg for the second consecutive season. The driver of the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda is scheduled to make his 100th series start in Saturday’s Good Ranchers 250. With 20 career wins, Palou is already assured of winning at least 20 percent of his first 100 races, something no other active driver has accomplished. Palou has led the NTT INDYCAR SERIES point standings after every race since Laguna Seca in June 2024 – a span of 28 straight races.

Phoenix familiar to a few: While most of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES field will compete at Phoenix Raceway for the first time, five drivers in the field have raced at the 1-mile oval previously, and two of the three most recent winners are entered – Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden. Dixon won the series’ last return race to Phoenix Raceway in 2016 while Newgarden won the most recent race at the track in 2018. Alexander Rossi, Graham Rahal and Will Power also have raced at Phoenix Raceway from 2016-18.

“Desert Double” with NASCAR: This weekend’s event at Phoenix is one of three Saturday races on the 2026 schedule, as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is competing on a rare doubleheader with the NASCAR Cup Series on the same weekend in a “Desert Double.” NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series also races Saturday at Phoenix.

NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race Notes:

  • The Good Ranchers 250 will be the first INDYCAR SERIES event conducted at Phoenix Raceway since 2018 and the 65th INDYCAR SERIES race held on the 1-mile oval since it opened in 1964.
  • The Good Ranchers 250 is the first of six oval races on the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule. Other oval events scheduled are: the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (May 24), Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway (June 7), Big Machine Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway (July 19) and a doubleheader at the Snap-on INDYCAR Weekend at Milwaukee Mile (Aug. 29-30).
  • Five drivers have previously raced INDYCAR SERIES cars at Phoenix Raceway: Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Will Power, Graham Rahal and Alexander Rossi. Al Unser has the most wins by an INDYCAR SERIES driver at the track (six). Dixon (2016) and Newgarden (2018) are the only past Phoenix winners entered in this year’s race.
  • Eleven drivers have won the Phoenix race from the pole: Helio Castroneves (2002), Arie Luyendyk (1996), Rick Mears (1982, 1989, 1990), Al Unser (1969, 1985), Tom Sneva (1984), Teo Fabi (1983), Johnny Rutherford (1977), Gordon Johncock (1973), Bobby Unser (1968, 1972), Lloyd Ruby (1967) and Mario Andretti (1966).
  • Drivers who have won at Phoenix have gone on to win the INDYCAR SERIES championship nine times: A.J. Foyt (1964, first race; 1975, second race), Mario Andretti (1966, second race), Bobby Unser (1968, first race), Al Unser (1970, first race; 1985), Rick Mears (1982, first race), Bobby Rahal (1992), Buddy Lazier (2000), Sam Hornish Jr. (2001) and Tony Kanaan (2004).
  • Milestones: Scott Dixon is expected to make his 421st INDYCAR SERIES start, extending his INDYCAR SERIES record. Dixon has made 357 consecutive starts heading into the weekend, the longest streak in INDYCAR SERIES history…Alex Palou is expected to make his 100th NTT INDYCAR SERIES start…Josef Newgarden needs to lead 66 laps to pass Dario Franchitti for ninth on the INDYCAR SERIES all-time laps led list…Rookies Caio Collet, Dennis Hauger and Mick Schumacher will make their first INDYCAR SERIES oval start this weekend at Phoenix.

 

NXT SERIES

 

www.indynxt.com

Indy NXT (pronounced "Indy Next"), previously Indy Lights, is an American developmental automobile racing series sanctioned by IndyCar, currently known as INDY NXT by Firestone for sponsorship reasons. Indy NXT is the highest step on the Road to Indy, a program of racing series leading up to the IndyCar Series.

 

ARLINGTON, Texas (Sunday, March 15, 2026) – In a thrilling race that blended chaos and excitement in equal measure, Max Taylor earned his first INDY NXT by Firestone victory Sunday in the inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington.

Andretti Global driver Taylor, from Greenwich, Connecticut, drove his No. 28 Susan G. Komen car to a 1.8925-second victory over rookie Enzo Fittipaldi in the No. 67 HMD Motorsports car for his breakthrough win in his eighth career start in the INDYCAR development series. The margin of victory deceived, as the two drivers and rookie Tymek Kucharczyk dueled for the lead multiple times over the closing laps of the 30-minute timed race.

SEE: Race Results

“I wanted it with every ounce of my body,” Taylor said. “I had to fight for it. That was some hard racing out there. This track just creates such good racing. Absolutely incredible to drive around here. We had to make some moves out there. A lot of fun, a lot of carnage happening, but we were able to show our pace.”

Kucharczyk finished third for the second consecutive race in the No. 71 HMD Motorsports car to round out the podium finishers. JM Correa placed fourth in the No. 68 Cusick Morgan Motorsports car, while Lochie Hughes finished fifth in the No. 26 Andretti Global machine.

The race was filled with action and contact from the beginning on the 14-turn, 2.73-mile temporary street circuit that circles around AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, and Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers. A steady wind of 20 mph, with gusts approaching 40 mph, added to the challenge.

There was chaos as the field drove to the green flag, as the No. 57 Abel Motorsports car driven by Colin Kaminsky suffered heavy damage after colliding with other cars and the outside retaining wall on the backstretch as the tightly bunched field rocketed toward the flag stand for the green.

Immediately after that incident, it appeared Kucharczyk made light contact with pole sitter Alessandro de Tullio in the No. 14 AJ Foyt Racing entry, nudging de Tullio wide and handing the lead to Fittipaldi, who started second.

The incident involving Kaminsky triggered a caution that lasted until there were approximately 16 minutes, 30 seconds left in the race. Fittipaldi kept the lead on the restart but never got away from Kucharczyk and Taylor, who were running second and third, respectively.

Kucharczyk pulled to within inches of Fittipaldi’s gearbox with 12 and 10 minutes remaining but couldn’t get past for the lead. Meanwhile, Taylor bided his time in third after starting fourth.

Fittipaldi and Kucharczyk swapped the lead twice on the same lap with approximately nine minutes, 50 seconds remaining, with Fittipaldi prevailing when the duo crossed the start-finish line to judge the lap leader.

With eight minutes left, Taylor passed Kucharczyk and set his sights on leader Fittipaldi, the grandson of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi. That task got a bit easier with about six minutes, 30 remaining when Josh Pierson’s No. 29 Starchive Andretti car stopped on track in Turn 2 after contact with the wall following a light hip check from the No. 17 HMD Motorsports entry driven by Salvador de Alba, triggering a caution to bunch the field.

Fittipaldi kept the lead on the restart with three minutes, 35 seconds remaining, but Taylor pulled to within .275 of a second with two minutes left. Then Taylor dove under Fittipaldi for the lead in Turn 13 and pulled away over the closing two laps.

“It was hard racing,” Fittipaldi said. “That’s what I love about racing here in the States. It’s raw racing, and I really enjoy that. We had some good battles out there. Unfortunately, we came home second. I’m just a bit frustrated with the result but super happy at the same time.”

Taylor took the series lead by 10 points over St. Petersburg winner Nikita Johnson, who finished sixth today in the No. 21 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR entry.

The next INDY NXT by Firestone race is the Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park, a doubleheader with races March 28-29. It’s the first of five twinbill weekends for the series this season.

 

 

ARLINGTON, Texas (Saturday, March 14, 2026) – Alessandro de Tullio put the famous No. 14 for AJ Foyt Racing back atop the leaderboard by capturing his first career INDY NXT by Firestone pole Saturday for the Grand Prix of Arlington.

De Tullio was the leader among the rookies who dominated qualifying, as five of the top six drivers are series newcomers. His best lap was 1 minute, 38.8841 seconds in the No. 14 car owned by legendary four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt, a Houston native. The Foyt team returned to the INDYCAR development series this season after a long hiatus.

SEE: Qualifying Results

“It’s an incredible feeling to be here on pole in Arlington,” de Tullio said. “We struggled at the start of the session with a switch issue and didn’t have full power, but we got it sorted. And from there, I was able to put in a few good laps. We executed. The car was great. I want to thank the whole 14 crew.”

The pole by de Tullio, 19, was a bit of a surprise. The Miami resident was eighth in the second practice Saturday morning after stopping the clocks ninth in the opening practice Friday, with Max Taylor of Andretti Global leading both sessions.

Rookie Enzo Fittipaldi, grandson of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, will start second after his best lap of 1:38.9825 in the No. 67 HMD Motorsports car.

Fittipaldi’s rookie teammate Tymek Kucharczyk will start third after his lap of 1:39.2294 in the No. 71 HMD Motorsports machine. Taylor qualified fourth at 1:39.2906 in the No. 28 Susan G. Komen car fielded by Andretti Global. Taylor is in his first full season in the series but isn’t classified as a rookie because he made six starts last year.

Two rookies will start from Row 3. Jack Beeton qualified fifth at 1:39.3742 in the No. 45 HMD Motorsports entry, with St. Petersburg race winner and series points leader Nikita Johnson qualifying sixth at 1:39.4044 in the No. 21 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR car.

The arrival of high winds in North Texas later Sunday afternoon has shifted the race day schedule at this inaugural event. Live coverage of the 30-minute race starts at 10:30 a.m. ET on FS1, FOX One, the FOX Sports App and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls, with the green flag set for 10:45 a.m.

This exciting new event is a joint venture between Penske Entertainment, the Dallas Cowboys and REV Entertainment, the official events partner of the Texas Rangers. The 14-turn, 2.73-mile temporary street circuit winds around AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys’ home field, and Globe Life Field, the Rangers’ home.

 

 

ARLINGTON, Texas (Friday, March 13, 2026) – Max Taylor was the star student in the opening practice for the Grand Prix of Arlington, leading the field by more than a second Friday as 24 drivers in the INDYCAR development series learned the new circuit at this inaugural event.

Taylor set a high bar for his rivals to match with his top lap of 1 minute, 39.8262 seconds in the No. 28 Susan G. Komen car fielded by Andretti Global on the 14-turn, 2.7-mile temporary circuit that winds around AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, and Globe Life Field, home of MLB’s Texas Rangers.

SEE: Practice Results

That lap, Taylor’s last in the 45-minute session, was 1.1205 seconds clear of his closest pursuer, rookie Tymek Kucharczyk, who stopped the clocks at 1:40.9467 in the No. 71 HMD Motorsports car.

“The track is bumpy; it’s got a lot of different pavement changes and undulations, elevation changes,” Taylor said. “So, it’s a really intense track. But it’s also really a blast once you get into the rhythm of it. Definitely one of my favorite street courses.”

Taylor, 18, from Greenwich, Connecticut, will be one of the favorites to win the pole during qualifying at 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday (FS2, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls). He won the pole for the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Feb. 28 and finished second to Nikita Johnson in the race March 1.

A 45-minute practice at 11:15 a.m. ET Saturday will precede qualifying. The 27-lap race is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET Sunday. FS2 will televise the practice, with the race on FS1. Coverage of both sessions also will be available on FOX One, the FOX Sports app and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls.

Rookie Jack Beeton rebounded from an 11th-place finish at St. Petersburg to end up third in this session at 1:40.9504 in the No. 45 HMD Motorsports car. Myles Rowe was fourth at 1:40.9981 in the No. 99 ABEL Motorsports with Force Indy entry.

Lochie Hughes rounded out the top five at 1:41.0420 in the No. 26 Andretti Global car, as Andretti Global and HMD Motorsports each put two drivers into the top five.

St. Petersburg race winner Johnson was 14th at 1:41.8598 in the No. 21 Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR car.

 

 

INDYCAR SERIESNXT SERIES
 

2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES SCHEDULE

Date Venue
Sunday, March 1 Streets of St. Petersburg
Saturday, March 7 Phoenix Raceway
Sunday, March 15 Streets of Arlington
Sunday, March 29 Barber Motorsports Park
Sunday, April 19 Streets of Long Beach
Saturday, May 9 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course
Sunday, May 24 The 110th Indianapolis 500
Sunday, May 31 Streets of Detroit
Sunday, June 7 World Wide Technology Raceway
Sunday, June 21 Road America
Sunday, July 5 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Sunday, July 19 Nashville Superspeedway
Sunday, Aug. 9 Portland International Raceway
Sunday, Aug. 16 Streets of Markham
Saturday, Aug. 29 Milwaukee Mile Race 1
Sunday, Aug. 30 Milwaukee Mile Race 2
Sunday, Sept. 6 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
 

2026 INDY NXT BY FIRESTONE SCHEDULE

Date Venue
Sunday, March 1 Streets of St. Petersburg
Sunday, March 15 Streets of Arlington
Saturday, March 28 Barber Motorsports Park Race 1
Sunday, March 29 Barber Motorsports Park Race 2
Friday, May 8 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Race 1
Saturday, May 9 Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Race 2
Sunday, May 31 Streets of Detroit
Sunday, June 7 World Wide Technology Raceway
Saturday, June 20 Road America Race 1
Sunday, June 21 Road America Race 2
Saturday, July 4 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Race 1
Sunday, July 5 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Race 2
Sunday, July 19 Nashville Superspeedway
Sunday, Aug. 9 Portland International Raceway
Sunday, Aug. 30 Milwaukee Mile
Saturday, Sept. 5 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 1
Sunday, Sept. 6 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 2

 

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