Full Breakdown
IndyCar Unveils Early-Season Schedule for 2027
8/13/2026, 4:25:53 AM
2027 Season Kickoff and First Eight Races
IndyCar announced that the 2027 NTT IndyCar Series will open on March 7 with a street race in St. Petersburg, Florida. The opening stretch continues with events at Phoenix Raceway on March 13 and the streets of Arlington, Texas on March 21, creating three consecutive race weekends—the second year in a row and only the fifth occurrence in the series’ 118-year history. The schedule then pauses before resuming with Barber Motorsports Park on April 4, Long Beach on April 18, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road-course on May 15, the Indianapolis 500 on May 30, and concludes the announced portion with the Detroit street race on June 6. All eight races will be televised on Fox.
Historical Context and Schedule Continuity
This early-season lineup mirrors the start of the 2026 campaign, marking the 17th time IndyCar has begun a season at St. Petersburg. The decision to retain the three-weekend opening block reflects a “proof of concept” from 2026, when the series highlighted growth through marquee events and partnerships. The inclusion of Phoenix alongside the NASCAR Cup Series underscores an ongoing collaboration with NASCAR, whose ownership of the track facilitates the joint weekend.
Leadership Remarks
IndyCar President J. Douglas Boles noted that the 2026 season’s “action-packed” opening set the stage for a similarly fast-paced 2027, describing St. Petersburg as an “ideal host.” Mark Miles, president and chief executive officer of Penske Entertainment, characterized 2026 as a year of growth driven by expanding presence at high-profile venues and expressed confidence that the momentum will carry into the next season.
Unresolved Dates and Future Races
While the first half of the calendar is set, IndyCar has not finalized the latter portion of the 2027 schedule. Decisions remain pending for potential events at World Wide Technology Raceway, Nashville Superspeedway (which served as the 2026 season finale after a rain-postponed race on July 20), and the Freedom 250 Grand Prix on the streets of Washington, D.C., held later in 2026. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has advocated for making the capital race an annual fixture, but IndyCar officials have described it as a one-time event pending further review.
