Catering Crew Causes Red Flag at IndyCar Practice in Arlington

Practice was halted before drivers hit the track due to security breach.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 3:09pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

IndyCar practice at the Grand Prix of Arlington was briefly halted after a catering crew was spotted on the track before the session began. Race control immediately called a red flag to secure the course and ensure no one was in danger.

Why it matters

Street races like the Grand Prix of Arlington often face unexpected logistical challenges in their inaugural year, and this incident highlights the need for tight security and coordination to keep drivers, crews, and spectators safe during on-track sessions.

The details

As the first group of drivers exited pit lane to begin practice, race control spotted the catering crew on the 2.73-mile circuit and immediately called a red flag. The practice was halted before any drivers reached racing speeds, and no one was harmed. Race control called the breach a "serious" security issue and sent safety crews to thoroughly check the track before allowing the session to resume.

  • The red flag came out before the second practice session of the day began.

The players

IndyCar Race Control

The officials overseeing operations and safety for the IndyCar event.

Catering Crew

A group of catering staff who were found to have crossed the track during an active practice session, causing a red flag.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Okay everybody, this was a serious breach of security to have people crossing the track while we were in session. So we're going to send safety around the course to check everything we have here. That's how serious this was. Once we have a secure course that we're comfortable with, we'll give you a count in.”

— IndyCar Race Control

What’s next

Race control will review security protocols and procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring during the remainder of the Grand Prix of Arlington weekend.

The takeaway

While unexpected issues are common during inaugural street races, this incident underscores the critical importance of strict safety and security measures to protect drivers, crews, and spectators at high-speed motorsports events.