Grand Prix of Arlington Replaces Texas Motor Speedway on IndyCar Schedule

Drivers lament loss of Fort Worth oval race, but praise new street course event in Arlington

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:04pm

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The NTT IndyCar Series has dropped the race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth from its schedule, replacing it with the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington street race in the Arlington Entertainment District. While some drivers, like Josef Newgarden, express sadness over losing the high-banked oval race, they are pleased with the new street course event in the key Dallas-Fort Worth market.

Why it matters

The decision to drop Texas Motor Speedway from the IndyCar schedule reflects a broader trend in the series towards shorter, flatter oval tracks that produce better racing. However, the loss of the Fort Worth oval is seen as a blow by some drivers who enjoyed competing there. The new Arlington street race aims to maintain IndyCar's presence in the important Dallas-Fort Worth region.

The details

IndyCar President J. Douglas Boles said the series has entered into a 'multiyear' contract ranging from 3-to-5 years for the new Grand Prix of Arlington event, which is being organized in partnership with Penske Entertainment, Fox Sports, the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers via REV Entertainment. Boles noted that recent IndyCar schedules have trended towards shorter, flatter ovals that produce better racing, rather than high-banked superspeedways like Texas Motor Speedway.

  • The last IndyCar race at Texas Motor Speedway was held in September 2023.
  • The inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington street race took place on March 15, 2026.

The players

Josef Newgarden

A two-time IndyCar series and Indianapolis 500 champion who drives for Team Penske.

Larry Foyt

President of A.J. Foyt Racing and son of the team's 91-year-old namesake.

J. Douglas Boles

President of the NTT IndyCar Series.

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What they’re saying

“I love the Texas Motor Speedway. I miss the Texas Motor Speedway in a lot of ways. Selfishly, as a driver I wish we could go everywhere. I would love to race there and here. But if we're not going to be there, I'm happy we have this event.”

— Josef Newgarden, IndyCar Driver

“You know, I miss going to TMS … but this is a great replacement. I'm obviously a little biased being a Texan, so I'm very happy to be racing back in Texas. Of course, we'd love to have another oval or two, but this is where the schedule fits right now.”

— Larry Foyt, President, A.J. Foyt Racing

“We find that our racing tends to be much better on those mile-long tracks, especially when it's under the lights. So, we sort of have our niche in oval racing.”

— J. Douglas Boles, President, NTT IndyCar Series

What’s next

IndyCar and its event partners are working under a 'multiyear' contract ranging from 3-to-5 years for the Grand Prix of Arlington, indicating the street race is expected to be a fixture on the series' schedule for the foreseeable future.

The takeaway

The loss of the high-banked Texas Motor Speedway oval race is seen as a disappointment by some drivers, but the new Grand Prix of Arlington street course event represents IndyCar's effort to maintain a presence in the key Dallas-Fort Worth market while aligning with the series' preference for shorter, flatter oval tracks that produce better racing.