IndyCar and NASCAR Team Up in Phoenix
The biggest headline from the 2026 IndyCar schedule is its shared race weekend with the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix Raceway. This marks a rare and exciting partnership between two rival racing series.
While IndyCar and NASCAR previously shared weekends at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, this new event is different—it’s happening on an oval owned by NASCAR itself. IndyCar hasn’t raced in Phoenix since 2018, so this is both a homecoming and a strategic move to put open-wheel racing in front of NASCAR’s massive fanbase. The collaboration is expected to draw big crowds and boost exposure for both series.
New Street Races in Arlington and Canada
Another major highlight is the addition of new street circuits:
- Arlington, Texas – The race will take place around the Dallas Cowboys stadium and is designed to rival iconic street events like Long Beach and St. Petersburg.
- Markham, Ontario – This replaces the long-standing Toronto round, giving Canadian fans a fresh venue to experience IndyCar action.
Interestingly, despite strong anticipation, a race in Mexico City didn’t make it onto the 2026 schedule.
Calendar Shifts: Nashville and Laguna Seca
Nashville, which previously hosted the season finale, is moving to July. The timing is no coincidence—Fox, IndyCar’s broadcast partner, plans to pair the race with the World Cup final weekend, ensuring huge viewership potential.
With Nashville moving up, Laguna Seca reclaims the spotlight as the season finale, adding extra drama to one of the most scenic and challenging tracks on the calendar.
What’s Dropped from the Schedule
While fans gain exciting new venues, a couple of familiar races have been dropped:
- Iowa Speedway – Known for its double-header format, this event won’t return in 2026.
- The Thermal Club – After hosting a race in 2025, it has been removed.
However, balance remains intact thanks to the Phoenix weekend and a new Milwaukee double-header, keeping the road-course-to-oval ratio steady compared to 2025.
Drivers Free for the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Another big win for IndyCar drivers is that the 2026 schedule avoids clashing with the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Last season, the overlap frustrated top names like Alex Palou and Scott Dixon, who missed the endurance classic due to commitments at home. Now, drivers will be free to chase opportunities in one of motorsport’s most prestigious events.
Full 2026 IndyCar Schedule
Here’s the complete lineup, with every race airing live on Fox:
- March 1 – Streets of St. Petersburg (road)
- March 7 – Phoenix Raceway (oval)
- March 15 – Streets of Arlington (road)
- March 29 – Barber Motorsports Park (road)
- April 19 – Streets of Long Beach (road)
- May 9 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course (road)
- May 24 – 110th Indianapolis 500 (oval)
- May 31 – Streets of Detroit (road)
- June 7 – Gateway (oval)
- June 21 – Road America (road)
- July 5 – Mid-Ohio (road)
- July 19 – Nashville (oval)
- August 9 – Portland International Raceway (road)
- August 16 – Streets of Markham, Ontario (road)
- August 29 – Milwaukee (oval)
- August 30 – Milwaukee (oval)
- September 6 – Laguna Seca (road)
Final Thoughts
The 2026 IndyCar schedule is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic in years. With fresh venues, a historic collaboration with NASCAR, and a finale at Laguna Seca, fans are in for a season that blends tradition with bold new steps. And with the Le Mans clash resolved, the best IndyCar drivers can now showcase their talents on both sides of the Atlantic.
