The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES begins this weekend on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, with the Firestone Grand Prix scheduled for March 1st. Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team enters the season with its full driver lineup of Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel, and Christian Lundgaard, following a 2025 season described as record-setting.
The 1.8-mile, 14-turn street circuit will host a 100-lap race covering 180 miles (289.68 km). Drivers completed testing at Phoenix Raceway on February 17th and 18th in preparation for the season opener. Arrow McLaren drivers will participate in practice sessions on Friday, February 27th, before qualifying and the race on Sunday.
Pato O’Ward, aiming for an elusive Indy 500 victory, has identified consistency as a key to contending for the 2026 INDYCAR title. According to FOX Sports, O’Ward believes limiting “bad days” will be crucial in his championship pursuit. He recently stated, “I’m Going To Get It,” referring to his ambition to win the Indy 500, as reported by FOX Sports.
The team’s strategy heading into the St. Petersburg race builds on the momentum from the recent test at Phoenix Raceway. While specific details from the test have not been released, the team is expected to leverage data gathered to optimize car setups for the unique challenges of the St. Petersburg street course.
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg marks the first of 18 races in the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
