NASCAR-IndyCar Doubleheader Expansion Plans Signal Major Shift in American Racing

Collaboration between NASCAR and IndyCar could reshape the future of motorsports in the U.S.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The future of joint race weekends between NASCAR and the IndyCar Series could expand, building on the momentum of recent crossover events. Officials from both organizations are evaluating the possibility of hosting more NASCAR-IndyCar doubleheader weekends, which could represent a significant shift in the traditionally separate worlds of American stock car racing and open-wheel competition.

Why it matters

Doubleheader race weekends, where NASCAR and IndyCar compete at the same venue, have been viewed by many industry figures as a potential way to create larger events and attract broader audiences. Such collaboration could transform American motorsports by combining fan bases, sponsors, and media attention into a single race weekend.

The details

The evolving partnership between NASCAR and IndyCar took center stage this weekend at Phoenix Raceway, where the two premier American motorsports series shared the spotlight as part of a rare doubleheader-style race weekend. IndyCar returned to the one-mile Arizona oval for the first time since 2018, followed by NASCAR's flagship Cup Series event on Sunday. According to IndyCar President Doug Boles, officials from both organizations will evaluate the possibility of hosting more NASCAR-IndyCar doubleheader weekends in the future.

  • On Saturday, IndyCar returned to Phoenix Raceway for the first time since 2018.
  • On Sunday, NASCAR's flagship Cup Series event took place at Phoenix Raceway.

The players

Doug Boles

The president of the IndyCar Series.

Ben Kennedy

A senior official at NASCAR.

Steve O'Donnell

A senior official at NASCAR.

Eric Shanks

The CEO of Fox Sports, which became the full-season broadcast partner for the IndyCar Series in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“We'll sit down with Ben Kennedy and Steve O'Donnell and the others afterwards and say, 'Does this make sense to continue this or are there other places we can do it?' We're totally open to it.”

— Doug Boles, IndyCar President

What’s next

Officials from NASCAR and IndyCar will evaluate the success of the recent doubleheader weekend at Phoenix Raceway and discuss the possibility of hosting more joint events in the future.

The takeaway

The collaboration between NASCAR and IndyCar could represent a significant shift in the traditionally separate worlds of American stock car racing and open-wheel competition. By combining fan bases, sponsors, and media attention into a single race weekend, the doubleheader experiment has the potential to transform American motorsports into a cultural powerhouse.