2026 IndyCar Season Kicks Off in St. Petersburg with Rising Stars and Veteran Drivers
The 2026 IndyCar season is set to begin with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, bringing together seasoned veterans and promising newcomers to the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. The event marks the start of a new chapter for the racing series, with drivers eager to establish momentum early in the season.
Veteran Rahal Eyes Strong Start in Familiar Territory
Graham Rahal, a veteran driver in the IndyCar series, emphasizes the importance of a strong start, particularly at a track where he secured his first career win 18 years ago. “Momentum is a real thing in our sport, so it’s really critical to start this weekend on a positive note and carry it into the next few weeks,” Rahal stated according to FOX 13 News. He highlighted his long-standing connection with the city, noting its appeal to his family and the improvements made to the track through repaving.
Beeton Makes U.S. Debut in Indy NXT
Eighteen-year-old Jack Beeton, an Australian driver, is set to make his U.S. Debut in the Indy NXT by Firestone series. Beeton will be racing with HMD Motorsports as announced on October 29, 2025 and brings valuable European open-wheel experience to the team. He expressed his excitement about starting his first race weekend in the United States, aiming for a strong performance and a potential podium finish. “Really looking forward to starting the season off on a strong point,” Beeton said in an interview. Prior to joining HMD Motorsports, Beeton achieved success in Formula 4 South East Asia Championship and the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA).
Indy NXT Practice at St. Pete
Recent practice sessions at the St. Petersburg street circuit have seen drivers adapting to changing track conditions. During Indy NXT Practice 2, drivers initially encountered a drying track with slick patches as reported by PitDebrief. Beeton was among the first to venture out on slick tires, setting an early benchmark. Later in the session, a red flag was triggered after Nicholas Monteiro made contact with the wall, but racing resumed with drivers posting faster lap times as grip improved.
HMD Motorsports’ 2026 Lineup
HMD Motorsports is fielding a strong lineup for the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season, including Jack Beeton. The team is looking to build on Beeton’s previous successes, including his win in the 2023 Formula 4 South East Asia Championship and his experience in Formula Regional Europe.
Looking Ahead
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Pete is scheduled to begin on Sunday at noon, and will be broadcast on FOX 13. Drivers are prepared to compete and begin the 2026 IndyCar season with a strong showing. As Christian Lundgaard noted, “This is what we love to do. We love to race.”