NASCAR Truck Series and IndyCar Qualify on Streets of St. Petersburg

Historic crossover event kicks off with practice and qualifying on Friday

Feb. 27, 2026 at 10:33am

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The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NTT IndyCar Series are sharing a race weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida, for the first time ever. Friday's schedule includes practice sessions for both series, followed by qualifying for the Truck Series race on Saturday.

Why it matters

This unique crossover event between NASCAR and IndyCar is a historic moment for motorsports, as the two premier American racing series compete on the same street course for the first time. It provides an opportunity for drivers from each discipline to showcase their skills on an unfamiliar track layout.

The details

The action gets started at 12:30pm EST with Indy NXT practice, followed by IndyCar Practice 1 at 1:35pm EST. The Truck Series then takes to the track for practice at 4:00pm EST, before Truck Series qualifying at 5:00pm EST. All sessions will air live on Fox Sports 2, with the possibility of weather delays due to a high chance of thunderstorms in the St. Petersburg area on Friday.

  • The Indy NXT practice session starts at 12:30pm EST.
  • IndyCar Practice 1 is scheduled for 1:35pm EST.
  • Truck Series practice begins at 4:00pm EST.
  • Truck Series qualifying is set for 5:00pm EST.

The players

Alex Palou

The defending IndyCar champion who will be looking to start the 2026 season strong on the Streets of St. Petersburg.

Will Power

The veteran IndyCar driver who is making his debut with the Andretti Global team after spending his career at Team Penske.

Dario Franchitti

The four-time IndyCar champion who will be competing in the Truck Series race, bringing his extensive street course experience to the new challenge.

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What they’re saying

“This is a really unique opportunity for the Truck Series to showcase their talents on a street course. It's going to be a big learning curve for all of us, but I'm excited to see how the drivers adapt.”

— Dario Franchitti, IndyCar Champion and Truck Series Competitor

What’s next

The Truck Series race will take place on Saturday, with the IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg scheduled for Sunday. Fans will be eager to see how the Truck Series drivers handle the tight, unforgiving street course in their first-ever race on such a layout.

The takeaway

This historic crossover event between NASCAR and IndyCar represents an exciting new chapter in American motorsports, as the two premier series come together to showcase their talents on the Streets of St. Petersburg. The unique challenges presented by the street course layout will test the adaptability of drivers from both disciplines.