IndyCar - Nashville

The Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix returns to Nashville Superspeedway for the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season. This 400-mile race at the concrete oval in Lebanon, Tennessee brings open-wheel racing back to the facility where IndyCar competed from 2001 to 2008. The extended distance from previous formats will push drivers and teams through a strategic battle that finishes under the lights. FOX will broadcast the race live immediately following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final, creating a unique opportunity for motorsports fans and a global television audience to witness high-speed competition on this historic oval.

Nashville Superspeedway Circuit

Nashville Superspeedway is a 1.33-mile D-shaped concrete oval that challenges drivers with 14 degrees of banking. The track holds the distinction of being NASCAR's largest all-concrete venue, and the surface allows IndyCar machines to exceed 200 mph through the turns. The configuration produces close racing with frequent passing opportunities. Scott Dixon set the track's speed record with a qualifying lap of 206.211 mph on this same surface during IndyCar's previous tenure at the facility.

Expected Participants

The 2026 field features multiple champions and promising rookies across the competitive grid. Chip Ganassi Racing fields four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou and six-time champion Scott Dixon, both proven winners on ovals. Team Penske brings Josef Newgarden, a Nashville native, alongside Scott McLaughlin. Arrow McLaren features Pato O'Ward and Christian Lundgaard, while Andretti Global runs Will Power, Kyle Kirkwood, and Marcus Ericsson. Meyer Shank Racing competes with Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Armstrong.

The rookie class adds fresh talent to the series. Dennis Hauger, the 2025 Indy NXT champion, joins Dale Coyne Racing. Mick Schumacher, a former Formula 2 champion, drives for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Caio Collet completes the rookie lineup with A.J. Foyt Racing. All teams use the Dallara DW12 chassis with a universal aero kit and Firestone tires.

Technical Specifications

NTT IndyCar Series cars are purpose-built, open-wheel machines powered by 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engines from Honda or Chevrolet. These engines produce over 700 horsepower. The series now integrates hybrid technology through an energy recovery system (ERS) positioned between the engine and transmission. This unit adds up to 60 horsepower by capturing energy under braking and releasing it for acceleration. Drivers manage the system's Stage of Charge (SOC) throughout the race.

Safety remains a priority with continuous development in chassis design, reinforced cockpits, and energy-absorbing crash structures. The Aeroscreen, a polycarbonate shield, protects drivers from debris. For 2026, IndyCar developed new superspeedway flaps for the rear tire ramps. These flaps deploy during a spin to reduce lift and prevent cars from becoming airborne.

IndyCar History at Nashville Superspeedway

Nashville Superspeedway hosted IndyCar Series events from 2001 to 2008. Buddy Lazier won the inaugural race in 2001. Scott Dixon became a dominant force at the track with three consecutive victories from 2006 to 2008. After IndyCar left the facility, the series returned to Nashville in 2021 on a downtown street circuit. Construction of the new Nissan Stadium prompted the move back to Nashville Superspeedway in 2024, where the series continues to compete.

Unique Features

The 2026 race benefits from strategic programming on FOX immediately after the FIFA World Cup Final, bringing a massive global audience to IndyCar racing. Fans at Nashville Superspeedway can watch the World Cup Final in the Fan Zone before the race begins. The winner receives a hand-made and painted Gibson Les Paul guitar, a tradition from Nashville-area IndyCar races that continues at the Superspeedway.

This marks the sixth consecutive season IndyCar has raced in Middle Tennessee and the third straight year at the 1.33-mile concrete oval. The race showcases the speed and strategy of oval racing, where aerodynamic drafting, pit strategy, and tire management determine the outcome. The 400-mile distance tests driver stamina and team execution across multiple fuel and tire stints. Cars run in close packs on the banked concrete, creating opportunities for position changes throughout the field.