NASCAR Expands Touring Schedule with Races in Phoenix, Barber, Toronto, and Mexico City

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August 27,2025

A meaningful shift is underway for the IndyCar Series as it prepares for the 2026 season,promising a more dynamic and engaging start.The anticipated schedule revamp, sparked by Fox Corporation’s recent significant investment in Penske Entertainment, includes a return to Phoenix Raceway and the earliest-ever race date at barber Motorsports Park. This restructuring aims to address past scheduling inconsistencies and capitalize on synergistic opportunities with NASCAR.

New Synergies with NASCAR

For several years, IndyCar has struggled with a fragmented spring race schedule, characterized by substantial gaps between events. These breaks hindered momentum and presented challenges for maintaining television viewership. The collaboration with NASCAR, facilitated by fox’s ownership stake, is designed to rectify this situation. Officials predict that IndyCar will now boast four races within the first five weekends of the 2026 season.

The return to Phoenix Raceway, absent from the IndyCar calendar since 2018, is a key component of this strategy. Previously, attendance at the Arizona track suffered when IndyCar raced shortly after a NASCAR event.The revised schedule seeks to avoid this overlap and maximize fan engagement.

Fox’s Influence and Broadcast Considerations

Paddock insiders suggest that Fox’s financial involvement in Penske Entertainment, the parent company of IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is driving the increased coordination with NASCAR. This synergy extends to broadcast rights, with Fox leveraging the combined events to maximize viewership and advertising revenue. The specifics of the television schedule at Phoenix raceway are still under consideration, with Saturday being the likely race day for IndyCar.

Currently, the NASCAR Xfinity Series frequently enough broadcasts its races between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. The transition of the Xfinity Series to The CW as its broadcasting partner opens up possibilities for scheduling IndyCar without direct conflicts.Officials are looking at models used at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to coordinate race times.

Early Season Schedule Highlights

Beyond Phoenix, IndyCar is slated to hold its earliest race ever at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, from March 27-29. This, combined with races at St. Petersburg (March 1) and Arlington (March 15), will provide a strong start to the season.

Here’s a swift overview of the anticipated early-season schedule:

Race	Location	Date (Approximate)
St. Petersburg	Florida	March 1
Phoenix	Arizona	March 7-8
Arlington	texas	March 15
Barber Motorsports Park	Alabama	March 27-29

Did you Know? Fox’s coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup final,which featured a notably large audience of almost 17 million viewers,demonstrates the network’s capability to attract massive viewership,a potential benefit for IndyCar broadcasts.

Looking Ahead: Completing the 2026 IndyCar Calendar

The groundwork for the initial portion of the 2026 IndyCar schedule appears to be firmly in place. The Month of May, featuring the Indianapolis 500, remains a cornerstone of the series. Detroit is anticipated to host a race on May 31, followed by a visit to World Wide Technology Raceway the following weekend. Discussions are ongoing regarding potential new venues, including a race in Mexico City, which could be announced at the upcoming IndyCar finale in Nashville.

Pro Tip: keep an eye on the IndyCar official website (https://www.indycar.com/) for the latest schedule updates and race announcements.

The Evolving Landscape of Motorsports broadcasting

The increasing consolidation of media ownership, as exemplified by Fox’s investment in Penske Entertainment, is reshaping the landscape of motorsports broadcasting. Networks are seeking to maximize their reach and revenue by cross-promoting events and leveraging shared audiences. This trend is highly likely to continue, resulting in more collaborative scheduling and broadcast strategies between different racing series. The move toward streaming services also adds a layer of complexity, as networks grapple with balancing traditional television viewership with the growing demand for on-demand content.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 IndyCar Schedule

• What is driving the changes to the IndyCar schedule? Fox Corporation’s investment in Penske Entertainment and a desire to create greater synergy with NASCAR.
• When will the full 2026 IndyCar schedule be released? While portions are already solidified, a complete schedule is expected to be released in the coming months.
• Will IndyCar races be broadcast on Fox network television? Some races are expected to be broadcast on Fox, but the exact number will depend on the network’s overall schedule.
• What impact will the return to Phoenix Raceway have? The aim is to boost attendance and create a more compelling event by avoiding direct competition with NASCAR.
• How does Fox’s investment benefit IndyCar fans? Increased investment and collaboration with NASCAR could lead to improved broadcasts and a more exciting schedule.
• What is the significance of the early race date at Barber Motorsports Park? It marks the earliest-ever IndyCar race at the track, contributing to a faster-paced start to the season.
• Will IndyCar continue to explore new race locations,like Mexico City? Yes,discussions are underway to expand the series’ international reach.

What are your thoughts on the potential for greater collaboration between IndyCar and NASCAR? And do you believe the changes to the schedule will attract more fans to the sport?

What are the primary logistical hurdles NASCAR teams will face with the addition of the Toronto street circuit race?

New Venues Inject Fresh Excitement into the 2026 NASCAR Season

NASCAR has announced a notable expansion of its touring schedule for the 2026 season, adding races in Phoenix, Barber Motorsports Park, Toronto, and Mexico City. This move signals a strategic effort to broaden the sport’s reach, attract new fans, and capitalize on growing international interest in stock car racing. The expansion builds on recent successes in international exhibition races and aims to establish a more permanent footprint beyond the conventional American heartland of NASCAR.

Phoenix Raceway: A Desert Duel

Phoenix Raceway, already a mainstay on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, will see an increased presence. While details are still emerging, expect potential additions to the race weekend, possibly including support series events or fan engagement activities. This reinforces Phoenix’s position as a key market for NASCAR, benefiting from a strong local fanbase and favorable weather conditions during the early season.

Key Benefits: Established fanbase,favorable climate,existing infrastructure.

Potential Impact: Increased ticket sales, enhanced media coverage in the Southwest.

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Barber Motorsports Park: Road Course Challenge

The addition of Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, marks a significant shift towards incorporating more road courses into the NASCAR schedule. Known for its challenging 2.38-mile road course, Barber will test drivers’ skills in a way that traditional oval tracks do not. This aligns with NASCAR’s ongoing efforts to diversify its racing formats and appeal to a wider range of driving talents.

Road Course Strategy: drivers will need to adapt their setups and driving styles for Barber’s tight corners and elevation changes.Expect increased emphasis on braking, cornering speed, and car handling.

Fan Appeal: Road course racing generally attracts a different demographic of fans, potentially expanding NASCAR’s audience.

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Toronto: NASCAR Goes North of the Border

Bringing NASCAR to Toronto, Canada, represents a major step in the sport’s international expansion. The race will be held on a temporary street circuit, similar to those used in Formula 1 and IndyCar. This presents unique logistical challenges but also offers the chance to showcase NASCAR in a vibrant urban setting.

Street Circuit Logistics: Building a temporary street circuit requires extensive planning and coordination with city officials. Safety is paramount, and significant modifications to the existing infrastructure may be necessary.

Canadian Fanbase: Canada has a strong motorsport tradition, and NASCAR already enjoys a dedicated following north of the border.

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Mexico City: A Historic Return

NASCAR’s return to Mexico City is especially noteworthy. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, a historic Formula 1 venue, will host the event.This marks a significant effort to tap into the large and passionate motorsport fanbase in Mexico. NASCAR previously held exhibition races in Mexico City in the 1990s, but this will be the first points-paying Cup Series race in the country.

Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez: The track’s high altitude and unique layout will present a challenge for teams and drivers. Engine tuning and aerodynamic adjustments will be crucial.

Mexico’s Motorsport Culture: Mexico has a rich history of motorsport participation,with several Mexican drivers competing in various racing series around the world.

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Impact on Teams and Drivers

the expanded schedule will require teams to adapt their logistics and strategies. Increased travel demands and the need to prepare for diverse track types will put a strain on resources. Drivers will need to be versatile and capable of performing well on both oval tracks and road courses.

Logistical Challenges: Teams will need to factor in increased transportation costs, hotel accommodations, and personnel travel.

Driver Skillset: The ability to adapt to different track types will be more significant than ever. Drivers who excel on both ovals