INDYCAR’s 2026 Schedule: A Closer Look

Today’s question: What interested you the most about the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule released sept.16?

Curt Cavin: Honestly, the pairing of INDYCAR and NASCAR at Phoenix Raceway is the most interesting part of the new schedule. And there are several reasons why. First, the series has been trying to get back to Phoenix almost since they left in 2018. phoenix has a long history with open-wheel racing – the first race was way back in 1964 – and recent schedules just haven’t felt complete without it. Second, many of us have wanted to see another INDYCAR-NASCAR event like the ones at the Indy road course in 2021 and 2022. But the right opportunity hadn’t come along. I think FOX Sports, which will broadcast both the INDYCAR (Saturday) and Cup (Sunday) races, played a big role in making this happen. We should expect a lot of promotion across their channels.

Eric Smith: I’m noticing a clear trend: more Sunday night races. Viewers are busier on Saturdays now, so the traditional Saturday night primetime race is becoming less common.Since 2021, INDYCAR has held four primetime races, but only one was on network TV: the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway last June.Next year, there are two Sunday night races planned: WWTR (June 7) and Nashville Superspeedway (July 19). NASCAR has also shifted towards Sunday night events, and it’s worked well for them. For example, their Sunday night race in Nashville in 2023…