IndyCar Debuts New Texas Street Race Inspired by F1

The 2.73-mile circuit in Arlington aims to become a marquee annual event for the open-wheel series.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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IndyCar will debut a new street race in Arlington, Texas, on March 15, 2026, following a collaboration with the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys. The 2.73-mile circuit, inspired by Formula 1's approach, will wind past AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field. IndyCar hopes to establish the race as a long-lasting tradition, similar to the iconic Long Beach Grand Prix.

Why it matters

The new Arlington street race represents a strategic shift for IndyCar, moving away from traditional oval tracks to focus on exciting urban circuits that can rival the spectacle of Formula 1 events. This change reflects evolving fan preferences and the series' desire to expand its national footprint by creating high-profile stops in major metropolitan areas.

The details

The Arlington course will feature 14 turns and speeds exceeding 200 mph on the main straight, bearing similarity to F1's Miami Grand Prix circuit. IndyCar aims to make this an annual event, drawing inspiration from the exclusivity and anticipation surrounding F1 races that occur only once per year at select locations. The series is ending its run at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth due to scheduling conflicts with NASCAR.

  • The new IndyCar street race in Arlington will debut on March 15, 2026.
  • IndyCar will no longer compete at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth as of 2024.

The players

Penske Corporation

The parent company of the IndyCar series, led by chairman Greg Penske.

Texas Rangers

The Major League Baseball team that collaborated with IndyCar on the new street race in Arlington.

Dallas Cowboys

The National Football League team that collaborated with IndyCar on the new street race in Arlington.

Formula 1

The premier open-wheel racing series that has inspired IndyCar's approach to the new Arlington street race.

Texas Motor Speedway

The 1.5-mile oval circuit in Fort Worth that has hosted IndyCar races since 1997 but will no longer be part of the series' schedule as of 2024.

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What they’re saying

“We hope this could be a Long Beach Grand Prix. It's been there for 50 years. I think with [IndyCar] plus the city of Arlington and all the other partners we have, we want to make this an annual event, right?”

— Greg Penske, Chairman, Penske Corporation (theconwaybulletin.com)

“I think about Formula One in Austin. It didn't have the amount of people coming there, eight, seven years ago. It's only once a year coming to these locations. That makes it special, right? I think we try and do that, you know, look at that way. It's just, we got to build on this one.”

— Greg Penske, Chairman, Penske Corporation (theconwaybulletin.com)

What’s next

IndyCar plans to add two additional street races to its 2026 calendar, with the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy in Markham, Canada, and the Freedom 250 in Washington, DC, receiving official approval.

The takeaway

IndyCar's strategic move to establish the new Arlington street race reflects the series' broader effort to prioritize urban circuits and create high-profile events that can rival the spectacle and exclusivity of Formula 1 races. This transition from traditional oval racing to exciting city-based courses underscores the evolving preferences of motorsports fans and IndyCar's ambition to expand its national footprint.