Grand Prix of Portland

The Grand Prix of Portland brings Indy NXT by Firestone racing to Portland International Raceway, featuring the premier developmental series for open-wheel racing in North America. This event serves as Round 9 of the championship season, showcasing the next generation of racing talent competing on one of the Pacific Northwest's most respected permanent road courses. Portland, Oregon plays host to this important race weekend, which includes practice sessions, qualifying, and the main Indy NXT race broadcast on FS1.

About Indy NXT by Firestone

Indy NXT by Firestone functions as the official development series for the NTT IndyCar Series. The series prepares drivers for competition at the highest level of North American open-wheel motorsport. Teams and drivers compete for championship points across multiple rounds throughout the season, with Portland representing a critical opportunity to gain positions in the standings.

Portland International Raceway

Portland International Raceway is a 1.967-mile permanent road course located in Portland, Oregon. The track runs clockwise and features 12 turns across relatively flat terrain. PIR holds FIA Grade 2 certification, which allows the facility to host major international motorsport competitions.

The Shelton Chicane

The circuit's signature feature is the hard chicane at the end of the front straight, commonly called the "Shelton Chicane." This section creates strategic overtaking opportunities and often produces dramatic racing moments, particularly during race starts when the field enters the chicane together.

The Competition

The Indy NXT series features young drivers working to advance their careers. The championship has seen multiple race winners this season, including Nikita Johnson, Max Taylor, Matteo Nannini, and Salvador de Alba. The Grand Prix of Portland attracts a full field of competitors, each racing for podium finishes and valuable championship points. Entry lists are finalized closer to each race weekend.

Technical Specifications

Indy NXT cars use the Dallara IL-15 chassis, a single-seat, open-wheel design built with carbon construction. The chassis incorporates safety components that meet both FIA specifications and INDYCAR standards, including headrests, specialized seats, a secondary pedal bulkhead, and zylon anti-intrusion side panels.

Power and Performance

The Advanced Engine Research (AER) P63 engine powers all Indy NXT cars. This turbocharged, inline four-cylinder engine has 2.0-liter displacement and produces 450 horsepower. The "Push-to-Pass" system provides an additional 50 horsepower for strategic overtaking. An Xtrac 6-speed sequential gearbox with electronic shift actuation transfers power to the wheels.

Tires

Firestone Firehawk race tires are the exclusive tire supplier for the series. These tires are engineered specifically for the car specifications and various track conditions. Both dry and grooved rain tires are available for road and street course events like the Grand Prix of Portland.

Racing History at Portland

Portland International Raceway opened in 1961 on the former site of Vanport, a city destroyed by flooding in 1948. The circuit's initial layout incorporated roads from the former city. Professional open-wheel racing began at PIR in 1984 when the INDYCAR SERIES arrived, with Al Unser Jr. winning the inaugural race. The track has hosted CART and Champ Car races throughout its history. Indy Lights, now known as Indy NXT by Firestone, has been part of the Grand Prix of Portland weekend for many years, providing a platform for drivers climbing the open-wheel racing ladder.

Notable Facts

Portland International Raceway holds the record for the closest two-car and three-car finish in INDYCAR SERIES road course history. In 1997, Mark Blundell defeated Gil de Ferran by just 0.027 seconds. The circuit's unique origin story, built on the ruins of a flooded city, makes it a historically significant venue in American motorsport.

The race weekend at Portland International Raceway provides an important test for Indy NXT drivers. The combination of the circuit's technical layout, the challenging Shelton Chicane, and the competitive field creates compelling racing action that demonstrates which drivers possess the skills needed to advance to IndyCar competition.