INDYCAR Series Returns to Phoenix: Palou Favored, Newgarden Eyes Repeat

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to Phoenix Raceway this weekend for the Fine Ranchers 250, marking the series’ first race at the one-mile oval in eight years and the first oval race of the 2026 season. The event is part of the “Desert Double,” with the NASCAR Cup Series racing on Sunday.

Race Details

• Race: Good Ranchers 250
• Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
• Time: 3:00 PM ET
• Location: Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, Arizona
• Broadcast: FOX, FOX One, the FOX Sports app, and the INDYCAR Radio Network

Favorites to Watch

Josef Newgarden

Josef Newgarden enters the weekend with a strong oval racing record. He has 18 career victories on oval tracks and was second fastest during February’s Open Test at Phoenix. Newgarden was dominant at Iowa, earning six wins in 18 starts, including a sweep in 2023. He also won the final oval race of 2025 at Nashville Superspeedway.

Scott McLaughlin

Scott McLaughlin is a Phoenix rookie but has demonstrated success on short ovals, with six top-five finishes in his last seven Iowa starts. In 18 career short-oval starts at Iowa, WWTR, Nashville Superspeedway and the Milwaukee Mile, he has two wins and 14 top-five finishes.

Pato O’Ward

Pato O’Ward ranked second in oval points last season and has four wins, nine runner-up finishes, and 23 top-five results in 32 career oval starts. One of his 2025 victories came at Iowa, where he has two wins and seven top-five finishes in 10 starts. He was sixth-fastest in the February test at Phoenix.

Scott Dixon

Scott Dixon has a history of success at Phoenix, with four top-five finishes in six starts, including a win in 2016. Dixon is a two-time winner at World Wide Technology Raceway and finished fourth there last season. His 25 oval wins are the most among active drivers.

Alex Palou

Alex Palou led all drivers in oval points last season, including a victory in the Indianapolis 500. Palou makes his first Phoenix start but led all drivers in oval points last season, including a victory in the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. He was third fastest in February’s test at Phoenix and comes into the weekend after a season-opening victory in St. Petersburg.

Sleepers to Consider

David Malukas

David Malukas, now with Team Penske, finished second in last year’s Indianapolis 500 and ranked sixth in oval points last season. Malukas finished runner-up at World Wide Technology Raceway in 2022 and third in 2023 even as driving for Dale Coyne Racing. He was fifth fastest in the February test at Phoenix.

Santino Ferrucci

Santino Ferrucci is an oval standout, with 10 of his 11 career top-five finishes coming on circle tracks. He finished fifth in both the Indianapolis 500 and at World Wide Technology Raceway last season.

Alexander Rossi

Alexander Rossi finished third in his most recent Phoenix start and was fastest in February’s Open Test.

Christian Rasmussen

Christian Rasmussen earned top-10 finishes in five of six oval races last season and was fourth fastest in the Phoenix Open Test.

Will Power

Will Power has 10 career oval wins and two top-three finishes in three Phoenix starts. He was eighth fastest in the Open Test at Phoenix.

Looking Ahead

The return of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to Phoenix Raceway promises exciting racing action. With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, the Good Ranchers 250 is shaping up to be a thrilling event.