NASCAR, Formula 1, and IndyCar Gear Up for Busy Racing Weekend

Events scheduled in Texas, Florida, and Australia as motorsports season kicks into high gear

Feb. 24, 2026 at 10:08pm

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A packed schedule of motorsports events is set to unfold across the United States and Australia in the coming weeks, with NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar, and NHRA drag racing all in action. The NASCAR Cup Series will head to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, while the Formula 1 season will officially begin in Melbourne, Australia. The NTT IndyCar Series will also be racing in St. Petersburg, Florida, and NHRA drag racing will resume in Gainesville, Florida.

Why it matters

This busy racing weekend marks the start of an exciting new season for several major motorsports series, with fans eagerly anticipating the action on the track. The events in Texas, Florida, and Australia will showcase the top talent in NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar, and NHRA, providing thrilling competition and entertainment for racing enthusiasts.

The details

The NASCAR Cup Series will compete in the DuraMax Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on Sunday, March 3rd, with practice and qualifying scheduled for the day prior. The NASCAR Xfinity Series will also be in action with the Focused Health 250 race. Meanwhile, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will hold the inaugural OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in Florida. In open-wheel racing, the Formula 1 season will kick off with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 7th, and the NTT IndyCar Series will compete in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 3rd.

  • The NASCAR Cup Series race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, is scheduled for Sunday, March 3, 2024.
  • The NASCAR Xfinity Series race, the Focused Health 250, will also take place at the Circuit of the Americas on the same weekend.
  • The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will hold the inaugural OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in Florida on March 3, 2024.
  • The Formula 1 season will officially begin with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 7, 2024.
  • The NTT IndyCar Series will compete in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 3, 2024.

The players

Christopher Bell

The winner of the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Kyle Busch

A dominant force in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, having recently recorded his ninth win at EchoPark Speedway.

Lando Norris

The 2025 Formula 1 world champion, narrowly defeating Max Verstappen by two points in a dramatic season finale.

Alex Palou

The reigning NTT IndyCar Series champion, having secured the title in four of the last five seasons.

Scott Dixon

The runner-up to teammate Alex Palou in the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series race at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

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What they’re saying

“The NASCAR Cup Series race at the Circuit of the Americas is always an exciting event, and this year's DuraMax Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne promises to be no exception.”

— Christopher Bell, 2023 NASCAR Cup Series race winner at Circuit of the Americas

“I'm looking forward to getting back on the track and defending my title at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.”

— Alex Palou, Reigning NTT IndyCar Series champion

What’s next

The NASCAR Cup Series race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, will be followed by the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 24, 2024, which will serve as the final race of the regular season.

The takeaway

This packed racing weekend showcases the depth and diversity of motorsports in the United States and around the world, with fans eagerly anticipating the thrilling competition and the start of a new season for several major racing series.