IndyCar - Madison

The NTT IndyCar Series returns to Madison, Illinois, for the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway in 2026. This facility, formerly known as Gateway Motorsport Park, hosts one of the premier oval races on the IndyCar calendar. The race takes place under the lights on the unique 1.25-mile oval, continuing the tradition of Saturday night racing that has made this venue popular among drivers and fans.

About the Race

The Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsport Park features 260 laps of intense oval racing, covering 325 miles total. Madison's IndyCar race stands as one of several oval competitions in the series, showcasing the diverse skills required of drivers throughout the season. FOX broadcasts all NTT IndyCar Series races for the 2026 season, including this event in Madison.

The Circuit

World Wide Technology Raceway sits in Madison, Illinois, directly across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. The facility operates as a multi-purpose motorsport venue with various racing configurations. The IndyCar series competes on the 1.25-mile asphalt oval, which features a distinctive "egg shape" design.

The oval presents different challenges in each corner pair. Turns 1 and 2 offer tighter radii with banking characteristics similar to New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Turns 3 and 4 provide a wider, sweeping layout comparable to Phoenix Raceway. This variation in corner geometry creates multiple racing lines and promotes side-by-side competition. The backstretch runs parallel to Illinois Route 203, forming part of the track's unique layout.

Gateway Motorsport Park also includes a quarter-mile drag strip, a 2.0-mile road course configuration that incorporates portions of the oval, and a karting facility known as the Kartplex.

Drivers and Teams

The 2026 IndyCar season features several notable driver changes that will influence competition at Madison. Will Power joins Andretti Global, while David Malukas moves to Team Penske. Dennis Hauger, the 2025 Indy NXT champion, steps up to the series with Dale Coyne Racing. These roster changes add fresh dynamics to the championship battle.

Top competitors from previous seasons remain active in the series. Josef Newgarden and Scott Dixon have demonstrated strong performances at oval tracks throughout their careers. The full entry list for the Madison IndyCar race will include teams from across the series, representing both Honda and Chevrolet engine manufacturers.

Technical Details

Chassis and Safety

All teams in the NTT IndyCar Series utilize the Dallara IR-18 chassis. This spec chassis promotes competitive racing while controlling costs for teams. The design incorporates advanced safety features, including a reinforced cockpit, energy-absorbing crash structures, and the Aeroscreen. The Aeroscreen serves as a polycarbonate shield that protects drivers from debris and impacts.

Engines

IndyCar competitors choose between Honda and Chevrolet for their power units. Both manufacturers supply 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engines that produce over 700 horsepower. The engine competition between manufacturers adds a strategic element to team decisions.

Hybrid System

The 2026 season continues the integration of hybrid energy recovery technology. The system captures energy during braking and converts it into electricity. An Energy Storage System holds this power until drivers deploy it for an additional boost of up to 60 horsepower. The hybrid unit fits into the bell housing between the engine and transmission.

Aerodynamics

IndyCar cars feature adjustable aerodynamic packages. Different aero kits exist for road courses, ovals, and superspeedways. The 2026 season introduces new superspeedway flaps mounted atop the rear tire ramps. These flaps deploy during spins or rearward movement to reduce the risk of cars becoming airborne.

Tires and Officiating

Firestone supplies all tires for the series through at least 2030. The company develops specific compounds for different track types and conditions. The 2026 season marks the debut of INDYCAR Officiating, a new independent organization that manages all competition officiating. An Independent Officiating Board oversees this not-for-profit entity.

Track History

The Madison facility has a varied history with open-wheel racing. The venue, then known as Gateway International Raceway, first hosted CART in May 1997 with the Motorola 300. After several years, the race moved to fall scheduling in 2000 and switched to the Indy Racing League in 2001 as the Gateway Indy 250. Attendance challenges led to the event's removal after 2003.

The facility closed in 2010 but reopened in 2011 under new ownership by Curtis Francois. The track underwent significant renovations and became Gateway Motorsports Park. IndyCar announced its return to Madison in October 2016, with racing resuming in 2017. The oval received fresh paving before that first race back. The venue later acquired its current name, World Wide Technology Raceway, through a naming rights agreement in 2019.

What Makes This Race Special

World Wide Technology Raceway holds a unique position as one of few tracks in the United States to host NASCAR Cup Series, NTT IndyCar Series, and NHRA Drag Racing Series events in the same calendar year. The oval's egg-shaped design creates racing that differs from traditional symmetrical ovals.

The varying corner characteristics at Gateway Motorsport Park create distinct challenges for drivers. The tight entry to Turns 1 and 2 requires different approach speeds and lines compared to the faster Turns 3 and 4. This variation promotes two-lane racing and provides multiple passing zones around the circuit. Drivers must adapt their techniques for each corner pair, making setup choices critical.

Night racing at Madison adds visual appeal and comfortable temperatures for summer competition. The lights illuminate the cars as they navigate the oval at speeds exceeding 180 mph. The Saturday night format allows fans to attend without conflicting with Sunday obligations, contributing to strong attendance figures since the series returned to the venue.

The Madison IndyCar race serves as an important oval test for championship contenders. Success at Gateway Motorsport Park requires mastery of oval racing fundamentals combined with the ability to manage tire wear over long runs and execute strategy decisions during pit stop sequences. The race often produces close finishes and strategic battles that influence championship standings.