The roar of engines echoed through downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, on Saturday as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series held its first street-circuit race in 32 years, the OnlyBulls Green Flag 150, alongside the NTT IndyCar Series’ Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The rare crossover weekend, which began Friday and continues through Sunday, has drawn both IndyCar regulars and NASCAR fans to the city’s waterfront.
The IndyCar Series is holding its 16th race and fifth consecutive, on the 1.8-mile temporary street course. The series’ 100-lap race is scheduled for Sunday at noon. The addition of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series marks a significant expansion of the Grand Prix’s motorsports appeal, bringing a different style of racing to the tight, 14-turn track.
Connor Mosack, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet truck, described the course as having “high-speed, high-risk corners that are really tight,” anticipating challenges for many drivers. He also highlighted the vulnerability of the trucks’ fenders and bodies on a street course, a unique aspect of this event. “I think a lot of guys will probably get into trouble there,” Mosack said.
The Firestone Grand Prix is expected to draw thousands of spectators to the St. Petersburg waterfront, resulting in several road closures throughout the downtown area. The event began on February 27th and will continue through March 1st, offering a range of activities for both seasoned racing enthusiasts and newcomers to the sport.
The NTT IndyCar Series’ opening of its season in St. Petersburg is a tradition, but this year’s event is notable for the inclusion of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The event is a crossover moment, attracting fans of both racing series to see how the trucks perform on the challenging street circuit.