INDYCAR Series Heats Up: Early Season Races Deliver Record Viewership and Thrilling Competition

Three races in a three-week span. Three different race winners. Three extraordinary events with audience numbers to match.

That’s the story of the early part of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ 2026 season, the busiest start to a new year in the sport’s history. The series went from Florida to Arizona to Texas to kick off the action, and there was much to like about it.

Record Viewership and Growing Fanbase

For starters, people are paying attention. All three races – the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway and the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington – had some of the largest attendance in recent memory, and FOX’s broadcast figures were excellent.

All three races drew ratings in excess of 1.2 million viewers, combining to average 1,326,333 viewers.

Last year, only five of INDYCAR’s 17 races exceeded 1 million, and the average for the first three races was 891,000. The year-over-year increase amounts to 48 percent.

Sunday’s street race in Arlington peaked at 1,563,000 viewers.

The partnerships with NASCAR (at Phoenix) and the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers in Arlington have helped add to the show.

On-Track Competition and Diverse Winners

The on-track competition has been fierce, with different faces in victory lane. In St. Petersburg, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou won for a second year in a row, but seven drivers led. Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden earned the victory at Phoenix, and there were a record number of passes. In Arlington, Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood delivered another street course win – the fifth of his career – but the newness of the circuit had everyone guessing.

Already this season, 10 of the 25 drivers have a top-five finish, part of the reason there are seven drivers within 46 points of the series lead.

Last year there were only three after the third race as Palou was off to a quick start, winning five of the first six races and finishing second in the other. He won eight races in all, leading the standings wire to wire and winning his fourth title by a whopping 196 points.

Team Dynamics and Rookie Performances

So far, several teams are in the mix, and one of them fields Kirkwood, who has the series lead for the first time in his career.

Andretti Global has a driver atop the standings for the first time since early in the 2024 season. Team Penske also is better positioned than it was this time last year. Team newbie David Malukas won his first career series pole at Phoenix.

ECR helped Rasmussen deliver a spectacular drive at Phoenix before late-race contact ended his run. Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward is one of two drivers to have finished in the top five of all three races – Kirkwood is the other – and Christian Lundgaard finished third in St. Petersburg.

Among rookie drivers, Dale Coyne Racing’s Dennis Hauger turned in a strong performance in his maiden race in St. Petersburg, reaching the Firestone Fast Six and finishing 10th. AJ Foyt Racing’s Caio Collet made his presence felt in Arlington before finishing 12th. Those two drivers are separated by just eight points.

Manufacturer Battle and Looking Ahead

Honda has won two races, Chevrolet one.

There’s still more to the month of March. The season’s fourth race is the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park on Sunday, March 29. Palou won last year’s race, but this year’s trend suggests a more competitive environment. The possibility of a fourth different winner in four races exists.

Five drivers have combined to win 10 of the past 14 races at Barber. Newgarden has won three races at the track with Power, Scott McLaughlin and Palou taking two each. O’Ward has the other Barber win.

FAQ

• Who won the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg? Alex Palou.
• Who won the Good Ranchers 250 at Phoenix Raceway? Josef Newgarden.
• Who won the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington? Kyle Kirkwood.
• What is the track length at the Streets of Arlington? 2.73 miles.

Pro Tip: Maintain an eye on Kyle Kirkwood. He’s leading the championship standings and has proven he can win on street courses.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is delivering on its promise of thrilling competition and a growing fanbase. With Barber Motorsports Park next on the schedule, the momentum is building for what could be a truly unforgettable season.