The green flag drops this weekend on the 2026 NTT INDYCAR Series, kicking off a season promising both familiar rivalries and fresh faces. The series begins Sunday in St. Petersburg, Florida (noon ET on FOX), and features an expanded 18-race schedule, four new venues, and a significant shakeup in the driver lineup. For those catching up, here’s a comprehensive gaze at everything you need to recognize for the upcoming season.
This year’s INDYCAR schedule boasts 18 races, an increase from the initially announced 17. The addition of a street race in Washington, D.C. On August 23rd, celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary, adds a unique event to the calendar. Beyond the expanded schedule, fans can anticipate a diverse mix of racing surfaces, testing drivers’ versatility across ovals, street courses, and road courses.
New Tracks and a Varied Schedule
INDYCAR will visit four new venues in 2026. Phoenix Raceway returns to the schedule on March 7 after an eight-year absence, offering a classic oval experience. A new street course in Arlington, Texas (March 15) will wind its way past the stadiums of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers. Further north, the series heads to Markham, a suburb of Toronto, on August 16, replacing the former Expo Centre course. Finally, the August 23rd race in Washington, D.C. Will mark a historic moment for the series. The 18-race season will be comprised of six oval races, six temporary street courses, and six permanent road courses, with a doubleheader weekend planned for The Milwaukee Mile.
Adding to the excitement, INDYCAR will share the track with NASCAR at Phoenix Raceway. INDYCAR will race on Saturday, followed by the O’Reilly Series and Cup Series races the next day. This weekend in St. Petersburg, NASCAR’s Truck Series will hold its first-ever race on a street course, further highlighting the growing crossover between the two series.
Driver Changes and New Faces
The 2026 season features a significant reshuffling of drivers, with seven cars sporting new faces behind the wheel. Caio Collett will take over the No. 4 car at A.J. Foyt Racing, replacing David Malukas. Malukas, in turn, has moved to Team Penske to fill the seat vacated by Will Power. Romain Grosjean joins Dale Coyne Racing in the No. 18, taking the place of Jacob Abel, while Dennis Hauger will drive the No. 19 for Dale Coyne Racing, succeeding Rinus VeeKay (who drove the No. 51 last year). A notable move sees Will Power landing at Andretti Global in the No. 26, after Colton Herta transitioned to Formula 2 in pursuit of a Formula 1 opportunity. Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher, makes his INDYCAR debut with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in the No. 47, marking his first time competing on an oval. Finally, Rinus VeeKay joins Juncos Hollinger Racing in the No. 76, replacing Conor Daly.
Power’s move to Andretti Global came after being unable to secure a long-term deal with Team Penske. The team’s restructuring following a technical violation in Indianapolis last year has too led to changes in leadership. Ron Ruzewski, formerly INDYCAR managing director at Team Penske, is now team principal at Andretti Global. Kyle Moyer, previously INDYCAR general manager at Penske, is now competition director at Arrow McLaren. Tim Cindric has returned to Penske in a strategist role for Scott McLaughlin, while Jonathan Diuguid now leads Team Penske’s sports-car program as president, with Travis Law as competition director.
Rule Changes and Championship Outlook
A key rule change for the 2026 season impacts street course races. Drivers will now be required to use at least two sets of the alternate “soft” tires and one set of the primary tire, an increase from the previous minimum of one set each. This adjustment is intended to encourage more pit stops and potentially reduce fuel and tire-saving strategies.
While the field is competitive, all eyes will be on Alex Palou as he aims for a fourth consecutive INDYCAR championship. Palou dominated the 2025 season, winning eight races and demonstrating a clear advantage over his rivals. Pato O’Ward, Scott Dixon, and Kyle Kirkwood are expected to be his closest challengers, with Dixon leveraging his six championships and the experience of past champions like Will Power and Josef Newgarden adding further depth to the competition.
Key Dates and Broadcast Information
The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24th, continuing its traditional placement on Memorial Day weekend. All INDYCAR races will be broadcast on FOX, with practices and qualifying sessions airing on FS1 and FS2. Fans can also access coverage through the FOX One app.
The 2026 INDYCAR season promises a compelling blend of established stars, rising talents, and new challenges. As the series heads to St. Petersburg, the focus shifts to the on-track action and the unfolding storylines that will define the championship battle. The season’s evolution will be one to watch as teams adapt to the new regulations and venues.
Stay tuned to archyde.com for continued coverage of the 2026 INDYCAR season, including race reports, driver interviews, and in-depth analysis. Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!