IndyCar - Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg represents a premier IndyCar competition held on the Streets of St. Petersburg in Florida. This annual race brings the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to a temporary street circuit that winds through downtown St. Petersburg and features a distinctive runway section from Albert Whitted Airport. The 2026 edition saw Álex Palou claim victory, with Scott McLaughlin securing pole position and finishing second, while Christian Lundgaard rounded out the podium.

The Streets of St. Petersburg Circuit

The Streets of St. Petersburg measures 1.8 miles in length and incorporates 14 turns, with five left-hand corners and nine right-hand turns. This temporary circuit combines narrow sections, some as tight as 26 feet, with long straights that provide ample overtaking opportunities. The front straight extends 2,350 feet and leads into heavy braking zones where drivers can make decisive passes.

The track holds an FIA Grade 2 classification. A section after Turn 10 carries the name "Dan Wheldon Way" in tribute to the two-time Indianapolis 500 champion who won the first IRL-sanctioned race at this venue and resided in St. Petersburg. The circuit's integration of working airport infrastructure with city streets creates a unique challenge for drivers and teams.

Race Format and Competition

The main NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at St. Petersburg spans 100 laps, covering a total distance of 180 miles. FOX broadcasts all NTT INDYCAR SERIES races for the 2026 season. The weekend features multiple racing series, including INDY NXT by Firestone, USF2000, Mazda MX-5 Cup, and the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, which made its first street course appearance at this event.

Scott McLaughlin posted a pole-winning lap time of 1:00.5426 for the 2026 race. Four-time series champion Álex Palou took the checkered flag, demonstrating the high level of competition at this Florida street race. The field includes drivers from various teams competing in spec Dallara DW12 chassis powered by Chevrolet and Honda engines.

Technical Regulations for 2026

Firestone serves as the sole tire supplier for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES through at least 2030. The 2026 season introduced a mandate requiring teams to use Firestone's alternate tire compound twice during every street course race and the primary compound once. Drivers must complete at least two green-flag laps on each specified tire set, adding a strategic element to race planning.

The push-to-pass system provides approximately 60 horsepower of additional power. Drivers receive 150 seconds of total push-to-pass time, with a maximum single activation of 15 seconds. This system creates strategic opportunities for overtaking on the long straights of the St. Petersburg circuit.

Safety improvements for 2026 include new superspeedway flaps mounted atop the rear tire ramps. These flaps deploy during a spin to reduce lift and improve car stability. An independent officiating body, INDYCAR Officiating, now oversees all competition activities. Practice sessions at road and street courses feature an initial 40-minute segment followed by two 12-minute group segments.

Event History and Tradition

Motor racing on St. Petersburg streets dates back to 1985 with SCCA Trans-Am and Can-Am series races. Indy cars first competed on this circuit in 2003 under CART sanction. The event joined the Indy Racing League in 2005, marking that series' first non-oval race. The Firestone brand became the title sponsor in 2014.

Team Penske holds the record for most wins at St. Petersburg with 12 victories. The event has established itself as a staple of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule, drawing competitors and fans to Florida's Gulf Coast each year.

What Makes This Event Special

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg combines downtown streets with waterfront views, earning comparisons to international street races. The circuit's narrow sections demand precision, while the long straights reward bravery and strategic use of push-to-pass. The integration of an active airport runway into the track layout sets this race apart from other street circuits.

The event delivers significant economic benefits to St. Petersburg and serves as a point of civic pride. Beyond the racing action, the weekend includes fan festivals, beer gardens, interactive speed zones, and a 5K run on the race track. The circuit produces an average of nearly 185 passes per race, offering continuous on-track action.

Series Development and Participants

The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES features various team and driver developments. Katherine Legge confirmed an entry for the Indianapolis 500 with A.J. Foyt Racing. Dennis Hauger, the reigning Indy NXT champion, made his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut with Dale Coyne Racing. PREMA Racing did not compete at the St. Petersburg round due to reported financial challenges.

INDY NXT by Firestone, the support series, runs spec Dallara IL-15 chassis with spec AER engines. This series serves as a development platform for drivers advancing to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The multi-series format provides fans with continuous racing action throughout the weekend.

Planning Your Experience

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg offers fans an opportunity to witness IndyCar racing on a challenging street circuit. The downtown location provides easy access to the track, with viewing areas along the 1.8-mile course. The combination of narrow sections and long straights creates varied viewing experiences at different points around the circuit.

The event showcases the speed and skill of NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers as they navigate the Streets of St. Petersburg. With multiple racing series competing throughout the weekend, fans can watch different categories of motorsports at one venue. The St. Petersburg race demonstrates why street circuit racing continues to attract competitors and spectators to Florida year after year.