OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland

The OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland brings the NTT IndyCar Series to Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon. This marks the 32nd professional open-wheel race held at this venue, which has hosted IndyCar competition since 1984. The 2026 edition continues a tradition of world-class racing at one of the premier road courses in North America.

The Circuit

Portland International Raceway is a 1.967-mile, 12-turn permanent road course located just south of the Columbia River. The City of Portland owns the facility, and Portland Parks & Recreation operates it. The track runs clockwise and features a mostly flat layout. This FIA Grade 2 circuit can be configured with or without the Festival Curves chicane, also called the Shelton Chicane.

The circuit offers multiple passing opportunities. Drivers can make overtaking moves through the quick chicane at the end of the frontstretch, at the hard-braking Turn 7 that leads to the backstretch, and through a three-turn complex that returns to the frontstretch. The main straight also serves as a drag racing facility. Fans can reach the track easily from downtown Portland and Portland International Airport via Interstate 5 and the MAX light rail system. The City of Portland works actively to establish the track as carbon neutral.

The Race Weekend

The OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland weekend spans three days of racing action. The main NTT IndyCar Series race covers 110 laps for a total distance of 216.04 miles. Supporting series include INDY NXT by Firestone, USF2000 Championship, USF Pro 2000, and the ARCA Menards Series West. The weekend delivers over 16 hours of practice, qualifying, and racing across all series.

Fans at Portland International Raceway can attend driver autograph sessions, Q&As, and enjoy live music in the Fan Zone. The event provides multiple ways for spectators to connect with the sport and its stars.

Drivers and Teams

The 2026 NTT IndyCar Series features the stars and cars of the Indianapolis 500. Chip Ganassi Racing brings four-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou, alongside Scott Dixon and Kyffin Simpson. Arrow McLaren fields Pato O'Ward, Christian Lundgaard, and Nolan Siegel. Team Penske enters Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, and new addition David Malukas.

Andretti Global welcomes Will Power to drive the No. 26 Honda after his departure from Team Penske. Meyer Shank Racing runs Marcus Armstrong. A.J. Foyt Racing gives Caio Collet the No. 4 car. Juncos Hollinger Racing adds Rinus VeeKay to their lineup. Dale Coyne Racing fields Dennis Hauger and Romain Grosjean. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing continues with Graham Rahal and adds Mick Schumacher in the No. 47 car.

Other confirmed drivers include Santino Ferrucci, Alexander Rossi, Felix Rosenqvist, Marcus Ericsson, Louis Foster, and Jacob Abel. Twenty-two drivers entered in the event have competed in past IndyCar races at Portland International Raceway, with Scott Dixon and Will Power each having nine starts at the circuit.

Technical Specifications

Chassis and Engines

All cars in the NTT IndyCar Series use the Dallara IR-18 chassis with a common aero kit. Power comes from 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engines supplied by either Honda (HI22TT) or Chevrolet. These engines operate under strict regulations, with a 12,000 RPM ceiling, direct fuel injection, two Borg-Warner turbochargers, and a McLaren Electronics Engine Control Unit.

Horsepower output varies based on track type and turbocharger boost levels. The engines produce approximately 575 hp on superspeedways and over 800 hp on road and street courses when the hybrid system and push-to-pass are activated.

Hybrid System

The 2026 season continues the integration of the hybrid system. This system sits between the engine and gearbox and includes a Motor Generator Unit (MGU) and an Energy Storage System (ESS). The MGU captures energy during braking and converts it into electricity. The ESS stores this energy in a series of 20 supercapacitors.

Drivers can deploy this stored energy as an additional 60 horsepower. This pushes total output to between 700 and 750 hp, and potentially over 800 hp on road and street courses when combined with higher boost and push-to-pass. The hybrid system adds a strategic layer for gaining and defending track position. For street courses like Portland, drivers must use one set of the primary compound and two sets of the alternate compound tires during the race.

History and Legacy

The Grand Prix of Portland began with its inaugural CART series race in 1984, won by Al Unser Jr. After a break from 2008 to 2017, the IndyCar Series returned to Portland International Raceway in 2018. The 2026 event will be the eighth IndyCar Series race at the venue since that return.

Newman/Haas Racing holds the most victories at Portland International Raceway with eight wins. Team Penske follows with nine wins, and Chip Ganassi Racing has four. Notable past winners include Mario and Michael Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, and Al Unser Jr.

Notable Facts

Portland International Raceway sits on the former site of Vanport, a city destroyed by a flood in 1948. The track has hosted some of the closest finishes in open-wheel racing history. In 1986, Mario Andretti beat his son Michael by just 0.070 seconds. The all-time record for the closest two-car and three-car finishes in IndyCar Series history on a road course was set at Portland International Raceway in 1997, when Mark Blundell crossed the line 0.027 seconds ahead of Gil de Ferran and 0.055 seconds ahead of Raul Boesel in a three-wide finish.

The OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland promises competitive racing on a circuit known for excellent passing opportunities and close competition. The combination of top-tier drivers, advanced hybrid technology, and a historic venue makes this event a significant stop on the NTT IndyCar Series calendar.