Crews broke ground Thursday on the 2026 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg circuit. Work has started for the 22nd annual race, set for March 1.
St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch joined race co-owners and Visit St. Pete-Clearwater’s president at the “First Block” ceremony. Over coming weeks, workers will transform downtown streets into a racing venue.
The temporary circuit measures 1.8 miles with 14 turns. It winds through streets around Pioneer Park, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, and The Dali Museum before stretching onto Albert Whitted Airport’s runway.
“This track has some taste to it,” Nikita Johnson a driver from St. Pete said, according to Fox 13 News. “It’s not a little bit boring like you see on some of those tracks in Europe where it’s all flat. So, it’s pretty cool. And we have a lot off-camera and on-camera corners.”
The 14-turn configuration challenges drivers. Straightaways give way to sharp bends. Turn 10 sits on the airport runway section, where cars hit peak velocity before drivers slam on brakes for the final turns leading back downtown.
This race kicks off the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. St. Petersburg has welcomed the spring event for 21 consecutive years.
Downtown provides the backdrop. Fans enter through several access points scattered around the course.
FOX broadcasts the race nationwide. Coverage starts March 1, though the exact time remains unannounced.
Installation demands several weeks. Workers position barriers, install fencing, and set up safety gear across all 1.8 miles. Street closures will disrupt downtown traffic as construction progresses.
Each year, thousands of visitors pour into the city for this event. Hotels book up fast. Restaurants prepare for crowds. Businesses brace for the weekend rush of racing enthusiasts.
Tickets and prices are not yet available. Organizers will share those details soon.