As the engines rev up for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the excitement is palpable. Set to kick off the NTT IndyCar Season on March 1, 2026, this thrilling race is held on a scenic 1.8-mile temporary street circuit in St. Petersburg, Florida, featuring 14 challenging turns. Fans are in for a show when the race starts at 12:29 p.m. ET, right after the “drivers, start your engines” call at 12:22 p.m. ET. Coverage will be available on FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes, as well as through the INDYCAR Radio Network. You can also catch all the action live on the FOX Sports App.

This year, the stakes are particularly high as Alex Palou, the defending champion and four-time titleholder, looks to clinch his fourth consecutive championship. He’ll be driving the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, having won the race last year and aiming for a repeat performance. His impressive track record includes nine podium finishes and 14 top-six results over his last 19 outings on street courses.

Top Contenders and Sleepers

INDYCAR analyst Eric Smith has spotlighted five favorites and five “sleepers” ahead of the race, promising an exhilarating showdown. In the favorites’ corner, we have:

  • Josef Newgarden (No. 2 Astemo Team Penske Chevrolet) – After a rocky start with a 0-8 record in St. Petersburg, he’s turned things around with two wins and a second place finish in his last seven races.
  • Scott McLaughlin (No. 3 DEX Team Penske Chevrolet) – The winner of last year’s NTT P1 Award finished fourth in the race and has proven he can win from pole position.
  • Will Power (No. 26 TWG AI Honda) – Making his first appearance with Andretti Global, Power has a remarkable history here, including nine NTT P1 Awards and a victory back in 2010.
  • Kyle Kirkwood (No. 27 JM Bullion/Gold.com Honda) – With improved finishes in all four of his St. Petersburg starts, he’s a driver to watch.
  • Alex Palou (No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) – The reigning champion is definitely a contender, having demonstrated consistent performance on street circuits.

On the sleeper side, keep an eye on:

  • Christian Lundgaard (No. 7 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet) – Averaging eighth place on street courses last season, he’s had good results in St. Petersburg.
  • Kyffin Simpson (No. 8 Sunoco Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) – Although his previous finishes in St. Pete were 12th and 18th, he’s shown promise with three top-10 finishes in four street course starts last year.
  • Scott Dixon (No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) – A six-time series champion with a solid record here, he’ll be looking to break a winless streak spanning 21 starts.
  • Marcus Ericsson (No. 28 Delaware Life Honda) – The winner of last year’s race will aim to build on his previous success, having secured a sixth place finish last season.
  • Felix Rosenqvist (No. 60 SiriusXM Honda) – With a second-place qualification in 2024 and a fifth-place finish last year, he’s a strong contender for a breakout performance.

Additionally, Meyer Shank Racing has competitive cars in the mix. Remember, Jack Harvey finished fourth in 2021 after qualifying in the front row, showcasing the potential for surprises on race day.

Race Details and Schedule

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is not just a race; it’s a festival of speed and strategy. The race will cover a total distance of 289.6 km over 100 laps, with each lap measuring 2.896 km. The weekend will kick off with practice sessions, starting on February 27, 2026, at 1:35 p.m. ET, followed by another practice and knockout qualifying on February 28.

As the clock ticks down to race day, anticipation builds. The 2026 season promises to be thrilling, with seven previous winners in attendance, including Power, Newgarden, and Palou, all gunning for glory. Don’t miss out on the action!

For more details on the event, check out the full coverage on INDYCAR.com and The Apex Racing. You can also find additional information on the Wikipedia page.