AUSTIN, Texas – The INDYCAR Classic will make its debut on the Circuit of The Americas this weekend at the 3.4-mile road course.

Simon Pagenaud races through the Esses complex during the Open Test at Circuit of The Americas — Photo by: Chris Owens

The three-day event will feature premier-level open-wheel racing.  Race fans will be treated to an action-packed lineup of entertainment including the Indy Lights, Stadium Super Trucks, the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup, and live music from local legends and English rock band, MUSE.

The INDYCAR Classic will be the first IndyCar race at COTA and the first of two NTT IndyCar Series races to be held in the state of Texas in 2019. Texas Motor Speedway, which has hosted IndyCar racing since 1997, will host its annual race in June.

The action begins on Friday with two practice sessions (10:15-11 a.m. and 2:05-3:05 p.m.) along with a warmup session from 3:10-3:40 p.m.

Saturday’s NTT IndyCar Series schedule will feature practice from 10-10:45 a.m.  Knockout qualifying will be held at 2 p.m., which will feature three different rounds.

Sunday’s action kicks off with opening ceremonies at 12:30 p.m.  University of Texas standout and Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy, former Longhorns starting quarterback and 2008 Heisman Trophy runner-up, will serve as the grand marshal of the race.  As grand marshal, McCoy will not only give the command for the drivers to start their engines but he will also present the trophy to the race winner.

In addition, three-time Indianapolis 500 winner and Dancing with the Stars champion Helio Castroneves will drive Honda’s Fastest Seat in Sports, which leads the parade lap ahead of the rest of the field.

Josef Newgarden of Team Penske started the NTT IndyCar Series season by winning the season-opening race at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 10.  If Newgarden wins at COTA he will become the first driver to open the season and score back-to-back wins since 2010, when his teammate Will Power won races at Sao Paulo, Brazil and St. Petersburg, Fla.

A field of 24 drivers have filed an entry and are expected to compete in the race.

Support races:  The 2019 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires will also hold races on Saturday and Sunday.  Sanctioned by INDYCAR, Indy Lights is part of the Road to Indy (#RoadToIndy), the ladder system designed to help drivers progress from karting into the NTT IndyCar Series. This year’s Indy Lights champion will be awarded a scholarship toward the NTT IndyCar Series with three guaranteed races including the Indianapolis 500.

Rounding out the race card will be the Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires and the Speed Energy Stadium Super Trucks, which feature identically prepared high-horsepower that are versatile off-road trucks that can race on virtually any surface.

On Saturday night race fans will be treated to a concert by MUSE.  The international rock superstars bring their electrifying live show to COTA’s Austin360 Amphitheater. All holders of a 3-day ticket for the INDYCAR Classic receive general admission to the H-E-B Lawn and 200 level seating for the show. Optional Pit and 100 Level upgrades are also available to get guests closer to the band.

Additional music will be provided throughout the weekend on the Lone Star Stage and will feature an eclectic range of Austin’s best.  Musical acts include Asleep at the Wheel, Dale Watson, The Greyhounds, Mayeux & Broussard, Kimberly Dunn, Jonathan Terrell, Todd Phelps and Vinyl Ranch Djing.

Ticket information:  A three-day general admission pass is $95 and is the most affordable way to take in all three days of INDYCAR action.  Premium grandstand tickets range from $119- $179.  These passes allow guests to experience INDYCAR from the best seats in the house in COTA’s grandstands. Fans will witness all the pit action from the Main Grandstand, be a part of the legendary Turn 1 or soak up the most exciting wheel-to-wheel moments at Turn 15.

The Three-Day Flex Pass offers fans three unique views.  For $189 fans can select which one of COTA’s three premium grandstands they’d like to sit in each day of the INDYCAR weekend to create their own perfect combination.

Single Day tickets are $30 on Friday and $65 for Saturday and Sunday. 

To purchase tickets and for more information about the INDYCAR Classic at Circuit of The Americas, please visit www.circuitoftheamericas.com/indy.

Additional information is available at www.indycar.com.