IndyCar may not have a flashy new car or a Netflix series, but the series appears to be building momentum the old-fashioned way: by putting a strong product in front of more people.
The 2026 season opened March 1 on the streets of St. Petersburg with an attendance level not seen there in decades. A week later IndyCar partnered with NASCAR at Phoenix Raceway during a stock‑car weekend and delivered solid crowds and TV interest. The most striking success, however, came with the inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington.
Organizers fashioned a 2.7‑mile, 14‑turn street circuit that looped around the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium and the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field, bringing open‑wheel racing back to central Texas in a venue not on NASCAR’s or F1’s calendars. The result was a sold‑out race that drew praise from drivers, teams and officials.
"Arlington is the best street course circuit and event we have in IndyCar right now," Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward said after finishing fifth. "It is the benchmark when it comes to the size of the circuit, the IndyCar paddock, the suites and the overall experience. It really is the complete package."
Six‑time champion Scott Dixon, who has raced on
