By John Sturbin, Raceday San Antonio

FORT WORTH _ Televised coverage of INDYCAR’s inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington on Sunday, March 15, will begin with a 30-minute pre-race block at 11:30 a.m. (CT), according to a broadcast schedule announced by FOX Sports.

The NTT IndyCar Series will return to the Dallas-Fort Worth market to compete on a temporary 2.73-mile/14-turn Streets of Arlington circuit anchored by AT&T Stadium. A “tent-pole” event during the 2026 championship, the weekend is a first-of-its-kind venture uniting three championship organizations _ INDYCAR, the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and REV Entertainment, official events partner of MLB’s Texas Rangers.

In addition, the inaugural INDY NXT by Firestone series race in Arlington will be televised on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) beginning at 10 a.m., also on March 15. INDY NXT is the developmental series for the NTT IndyCar Series.

The North Texas market previously hosted INDYCAR on Texas Motor Speedway’s high-banked/1.5-mile oval in Fort Worth from 1997 to 2023. The Grand Prix of Arlington _ Race 3 of a 17-event schedule _ will anchor an all-star lineup of fan activations in the popular Arlington Entertainment District.

Practice and qualifications in Arlington are set for Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14, respectively. Racing will take place against the backdrop of a pair of sporting venues recognized by fans around the world _ AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Cowboys, and Globe Life Field, home of MLB’s Rangers. The track will weave through Arlington’s core sports and entertainment district, which annually sells more than 1.6-million tickets to stick-and-ball spectators _ many of whom likely never have attended a live motorsports event.

Penske Entertainment and FOX are aiming to attract the next generation of fans via festival-like street racing events for INDYCAR. Taking racing to the masses in popular entertainment districts like Arlington _ located between Dallas and Fort Worth _ is viewed as critical to avoiding stagnation.

For the second consecutive year, FOX will showcase INDYCAR with a record 19 network windows, with all 17 races featured on broadcast television. As was the case in 2025, INDYCAR will be the only premier motorsports series in North America with all races broadcast on network TV.

The 2026 broadcast schedule includes a summer stretch coinciding with FOX Sports’ coverage of FIFA World Cup 2026™, potentially providing a massive showcase for domestic open-wheel racing. The opening match on Sunday, June 21, will lead into the NTT IndyCar Series’ annual trip into Wisconsin and the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America scheduled for 2 p.m. (Eastern).

FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 16 action will follow the 12:30 p.m. start of FOX’s broadcast at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid on Sunday, July 5.

The biggest match in world soccer _ the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final _ and crowning of an epic champion on FOX will provide a lead-in for INDYCAR’s annual visit to Nashville Superspeedway’s oval. Broadcast tune-in time for the 2026 edition of the 400-mile Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix will be announced at a later date.

In 2025, first year of a multi-year partnership with FOX Sports, viewership of the NTT IndyCar Series increased 27 percent from the previous season, generating the fastest growth curve of any major sport.

“Once again FOX Sports is providing an unparalleled platform to showcase the most competitive and dynamic racing series on the planet,” said Mark Miles, Penske Entertainment Corp. president/CEO. “On the heels of significant milestones and momentum last year, this new season will provide meaningful opportunities to reach new audiences and build upon the best growth trajectory in all of sports.”

Highlights of FOX’s 2026 NTT IndyCar Series broadcast schedule (all times Eastern) include:

_ A set of three consecutive weekends to kick off the season as part of a record four races during March, including the series’ return to Phoenix Raceway for the Good Ranchers 250 at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 7.

_ Coverage of PPG Presents Armed Forces Qualifying _ setting the traditional 33-car field for the 110th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge _ beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17.

_ For the second consecutive year, an extensive six-hour broadcast beginning at 10 a.m.  for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24.

_ The return of primetime racing under the lights at World Wide Technology Raceway and the 10th annual Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline at 9 p.m. Sunday, June 7.

_ The NTT IndyCar Series’ return to Canada for the debut of the Streets of Markham layout and the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham at noon on Sunday, Aug. 16.

_ Return of the popular double-header program at The Milwaukee Mile at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, and 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30.

_ Crowning of the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series champion and a Labor Day weekend return to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Coverage of the season-finale will begin with a pre-race show at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6.

Alex Palou of Spain, the three-time/reigning series champion from Chip Ganassi Racing, said he is confident the sanctioning body and FOX are prepared to build on the momentum created in 2025. “Needless to say, I’m excited to get 2026 started as we go for a fourth straight NTT IndyCar Series championship with the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda,” said Palou, winner of a series-high eight races in 2025. “I cannot wait for the opener at St. Pete.”

Championship runner-up Pato O’Ward, a native of Mexico with family ties to San Antonio, Texas, is pumped about the inaugural race in Arlington. “As we have already seen in this new partnership, it’s one of the most exciting, new additions to our calendar in the recent years, and FOX Sports will provide the perfect showcase for our fans watching on TV,” said O’Ward, who won two races in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet last season. “The new season can’t get here soon enough.”

Rising star Kyle Kirkwood, a three-time race-winner in the No. 27 Andretti Global Honda in 2025, praised the pairing of FOX’s coverage of the World Cup with INDYCAR. “I’m a big sports fan, so having the 2026 INDYCAR schedule share the stage with FOX’s coverage of the World Cup next summer is going to be exciting,” Kirkwood said. “I’m eager to see what FOX has in-store.” 

To that point, the inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington could emerge as a template for future NTT IndyCar Series schedules under the new investment partnership between Penske Entertainment and FOX Corporation, parent company of FOX Sports. Those mega-entities confirmed an investment in the future of the series last summer via FOX’s acquisition of one-third interest in Penske Entertainment, inclusive of INDYCAR and the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The investment is expected to initiate a new era of growth for the NTT IndyCar Series, featuring innovative and industry-leading racing and entertainment events, an increased digital strategy and immersive content focus as well as enhanced promotion and star-building opportunities for series drivers.

The announcement included a multi-year extension of INDYCAR’s media rights with FOX Sports.

INDYCAR’s move to Arlington ended a colorful and controversial 27-year history at Texas Motor Speedway and parent company Speedway Motorsports. TMS was unexpectedly dropped from the NTT IndyCar Series’ 17-race lineup in 2024 after a run that began under President/General Manager Eddie Gossage during the track’s initial season in 1997.

Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden won the series’ PPG 375 at “The Great American Speedway” on April 1, 2023 _ first race of a reported new, three-year contract between INDYCAR and Speedway Motorsports. Noting that NASCAR had moved its race weekend date from September to April in 2024, TMS Executive Vice President/General Manager Mark Faber said track management and INDYCAR were unable to reach agreement on a date that worked for both parties.

Armed with its new contract and a largely positive vibe emanating from the paddock, TMS was poised to continue its position as the “Second Home of INDYCAR Racing.” That tag was among several marketing brands developed by Gossage, TMS’ first president/GM and promoter extraordinaire, during his 25-year tenure.

With the blessing of Speedway Motorsports founder O. Bruton Smith, Gossage aligned a still-under-construction TMS with Tony George’s all-oval Indy Racing League in the summer of 1996 during its bitter sanctioning turf war with the Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART).

INDYCAR’s exit from TMS continues a recent trend that has seen the series’ oval-track schedule shrink to six events this season. With the exception of the Indy 500 _ the series’ marquee event _ INDYCAR has been dropping high-speed/high-risk ovals like TMS and Pocono (Pa.) Raceway in favor of short tracks like Iowa Speedway and The Milwaukee Mile.

This season’s 17-race schedule features an international field of versatile drivers competing on superspeedways, short ovals, street circuits and permanent road-courses.

Coverage of all 2026 NTT IndyCar Series practice and qualifying sessions will be featured on either FS1 or FS2, FOX One and the FOX Sports app.

Chip Ganassi Racing has added James Roe and Carson Etter to its INDY NXT by Firestone roster for the 2026 season. Roe and Etter join Bryce Aron and Niels Koolen on an expanded four-car lineup.

After an 18-year absence, Chip Ganassi Racing returned to INDY NXT last season and placed both the No. 9 Jaguar Land Rover Chesterfield car, driven by Aron, and the No. 10 Super B Batteries car, driven by Koolen, in the top-10 in entrant points.

“Chip Ganassi Racing is glad to have Carson and James join the team with Bryce and Niels as we expand our INDY NXT by Firestone efforts in 2026,” said Taylor Kiel, team manager. “We’re putting in a lot of hard work as we try to fight for wins and podiums in our second year back on the NXT grid, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we accomplish.”

The INDY NXT by Firestone season will begin with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 1.

A native of a Villa Park, Calif., Etter will make his INDY NXT debut with CGR in the No. 11 GATC Health car. An Arizona State University student, Etter completed his rookie season of USF2000 in 2024 with four top-10 finishes and one fastest lap at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Etter, 21, began his racing career in 2017 with off-road truck racing.

“It feels like ‘thank you’ isn’t enough, but I’d like to give a huge ‘thank you’ to Chip Ganassi Racing for this opportunity to compete in INDY NXT by Firestone,” Etter said. “I’ve dreamed of racing with this team since I was a kid and I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since they called and said I’m a part of the Ganassi family. This team has a culture that will push you past what you thought you were capable of, even in practice, and turn it into results on race day.

“I’m fired-up to help carry that momentum forward. Chip Ganassi Racing sets the bar high. There are no excuses, only results, and that’s exactly the environment I want to be in. We’re coming in hungry, putting in the work and making sure every weekend means something.”

Roe, a 27-year-old native of Naas, Ireland, will wheel CGR’s No. 8 Topcon car for his fourth full season in the INDY NXT championship. Roe has posted one pole and numerous podiums and top-5s during his INDY NXT career. In addition to INDY NXT, Roe is a regular competitor in sports cars, including IMSA and the Asian Le Mans Series.

“I’m incredibly excited to join Chip Ganassi Racing and take this next step in my journey towards INDYCAR,” Roe said. “Competing with one of the most successful teams in the sport as they grow their INDY NXT program is a unique chance to combine my experience in the series with their championship-level culture. The INDYCAR paddock is where I want to be and I’m more determined than ever. The goal is to create something special together this season.”

Aron returns to the No. 9 Jaguar Land Rover Chesterfield car in 2026. Aron scored one top-5 and six top-10s in 13 starts with CGR in 2025, finishing 11th in the drivers’ championship. Aron is a 22-year-old native of Winnetka, Ill.

“We finished the second half of last season really strong,” Aron said, “and I was very proud of all of the development we made across the entire year, especially with me jumping in at the second round. I feel like we developed the car a ton, and I am excited to continue the momentum we had coming out of last year and with the off-season testing we’ve had so far. I’m very excited to get going again in 2026 and make a championship charge.”

Koolen, a 24-year-old native of The Netherlands, returns to CGR in the No. 10 Super B Batteries car. Koolen proved impressively fast on ovals in 2025 en route to finishing eighth in the championship. Koolen will look to build on his one top-5 and seven top-10 finishes this season.

“I really enjoyed last year with the Chip Ganassi Racing team,” Koolen said. “The people, the preparation, and the way we kept improving throughout the season gave me a lot of confidence. I’m ready to push even harder with this group as we look to fight our way forward on the grid and build on our top-5s and compete for wins in 2026.”

INDYCAR’S partnership with FOX Sports will see all INDY NXT by Firestone races carried on live television for the second consecutive year _ a series-record 17 events in 2026. Fifteen INDY NXT races are scheduled to appear live on FOX Sports’ FS1, with two airing on FS2.

Again in 2026, all INDY NXT practice and qualifying sessions also will air on a combination of FS1, FS2, the FOX Sports app and FOX One.

“Our immersive partnership with FOX Sports has fueled impressive gains across our ecosystem, most especially within INDY NXT by Firestone,” said Mark Miles, Penske Entertainment Corp. president/CEO. “In 2026, we expect that significant growth to continue with additional races providing even more intense on-track action for our development series.”

The championship battle will begin at 10 a.m. (all times Eastern) on Sunday, March 1, on FS1 from the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. Round 2 of the championship will be contested on a temporary 2.73-mile/14-turn Streets of Arlington circuit during the inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington, Texas, at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 15, also on FS1.

The first of three new double-headers in 2026 will begin at Barber Motorsports Park with races at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28, and 11 a.m. Sunday, March 29, on FS1.

The series’ summer stretch at Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Nashville Superspeedway will coincide with FOX Sports’ expansive coverage of FIFA World Cup 2026™. The double-header in Elkhart Lake, Wis., will take place at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20, and at noon Sunday, June 21, with both races airing on FS1. FOX Sports’ coverage at Mid-Ohio begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 4, and at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 5 with both races booked for FS1.

Television tune-in time for the INDY NXT race at Nashville will be announced in the coming weeks.

The championship concludes with the final double-header of 2026 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, on FS2, followed by the season-finale and crowning of the INDY NXT champion at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, on FS1. It will mark the 15th time in series history the legendary layout with its signature Corkscrew complex on California’s Central Coast will play host to the title celebration.

INDYCAR’s worldwide direct-to-consumer streaming platform, INDYCAR LIVE, has access to a full library of archived INDY NXT practices, qualifying sessions, races and additional content. INDY NXT sessions and races in 2026 will stream live in certain countries and territories. More information is available here.

FOX SPORTS’ 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES RACE BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Note _ All times Eastern

Sunday, March 1 _ Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., Noon

Saturday, March 7 _ Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, Ariz., 3 p.m.

Sunday, March 15 _ Streets of Arlington, Texas, 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 29 _ Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Ala., 1 p.m.

Sunday, April 19 _ Streets of Long Beach, Calif., 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 9 _ Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road-Course, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 24 _ 110^th Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Oval, 10 a.m.

Sunday, May 31 _ Streets of Detroit, 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 7 _ World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison, Ill., 9 p.m.

Sunday, June 21 _ Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis., 2 p.m.

Sunday, July 5 _ Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio, 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 19 _ Nashville Superspeedway, Lebanon, Tenn., TBA

Sunday, Aug. 9 _ Portland (Ore.) International Raceway, 4 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 16 _ Streets of Markham, Canada, Noon

Saturday, Aug. 29 _ The Milwaukee Mile Race 1, West Allis, Wis., 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 30 _ The Milwaukee Mile Race 2, West Allis, Wis., 1 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 6 _ WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, Calif., 2:30 p.m.

Note _ Dates and times subject to change.

FOX SPORTS’ 2026 INDY NXT BY FIRESTONE RACE BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Note _ All times Eastern

Sunday, March 1 _ Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., FS1, 10 a.m.

Sunday, March 15 _ Streets of Arlington, Texas, FS1, 11 a.m.

Saturday, March 28 _ Barber Motorsports Park Race 1, Birmingham, Ala., FS1, 1 p.m.

Sunday, March 29 _ Barber Motorsports Park Race 2, Birmingham, Ala., 11 a.m.

Friday, May 8 _ Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road-Course Race 1, FS2, 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 9 _ Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road-Course Race 2, FS1, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 31 _ Streets of Detroit, FS1, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday, June 7 _ World Wide Technology Raceway, Madison, Ill., FS1, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 20 _ Road America Race 1, Elkhart Lake, Wis., FS1, 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 21 _ Road America Race 2, Elkhart Lake, Wis., FS1, Noon

Saturday, July 4 _ Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Race 1, Lexington, Ohio, FS1, 1 p.m.

Sunday, July 5 _ Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Race 2, Lexington, Ohio, FS1, 10 a.m.

Sunday, July 19 _ Nashville Superspeedway, Lebanon, Tenn., FS1, TBA

Sunday, Aug. 9 _ Portland (Ore.) International Raceway, FS1, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 30 _ The Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, Wis., FS1, 11 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 5 _ Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 1, Monterey, Calif., FS2, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 6 _ Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 2, Monterey, Calif., FS1, 12:30 p.m.

Note _ Dates and times subject to change.