ST. PETE, Fla. — This is the first year that the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will be hitting the streets of St. Pete as part of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Some of the waterfront streets of downtown St. Pete have been turned into 1.8 mile 14-turn street course, that serves as the first event of the year for the IndyCar series.

During the announcement of the addition of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR’s managing director said this serves as a way to evaluate the Tampa-St.Pete market.

What You Need To Know

 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series takes on street course in St. Pete

NASCAR using race as a way to informally evaluate the market  

 Once again, Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is season-opening event for IndyCar series 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

“Obviously, with the street races that we have now at the Cup Series, racing in San Diego, racing at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, we want to make sure that our development series are racing at track types that allow them to advance and be prepared for the Cup level. Making sure we have a street race at the Truck Series level was something that we evaluated. Obviously, they have the first two street races they’ll have in their 30-year history, kicking off with the St. Pete Grand Prix, so it allows us to evaluate that market,” said Jusan Hamilton, NASCAR managing director.

Ahead of the Grand Prix’s kickoff, NASCAR Craftsman truck driver Daniel Dye said he’s not a big fan of road courses.

“We are hoping it’s not a nightmare…,” Dye said. “We’re hoping to have an okay weekend. But I think if you’re in the front that’s probably the safest place to be.”

Dye said because its so new, he didn’t have a simulator to train on for this course, making it tough to prepare.

“I rooted against it actually, but here we are,” Dye said.

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK Series race schedule for Friday Feb 27th🛻📅

*Please note that only wrist banded fans will be given access to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCKS Series. Wristband redemption will be available as Gates opens in the Mahaffey Theater. pic.twitter.com/TwnyIfuT7a

— Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (@GPSTPETE) February 27, 2026

Jim Hooker, Chief Flag Marshal for this year’s races, says when he first heard the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series would be at the 2026 event he was nervous for the safety of his more than 100 flag marshals. He said once he adjusted to the idea, he got excited.

“This is something not a lot of people have experienced before,” he said. “Certainly the truck series doesn’t do this a whole lot… so it gonna be interesting and fun for them as well.”

Matthew Corbett is also working as a flag marshal for the Grand Prix races. This will be his fourth year, and he’s excited to see the truck series.

“Whenever you attack a street course you don’t have the runoff that you have on the big speedway… there’s little room for error and usually mistakes are costly,” he said.

He says while safety is on his mind, he knows it will be exhilarating.

“Literally the only thing between you and cars going over 100 miles per hour on city streets is a jersey barrier and a steal fence,” he said.

The final round for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is set for noontime Saturday.

Friday Schedule at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg🏎️📅

*Please note that only wrist banded fans will be given access to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCKS Series. Wristband redemption will be available as Gates opens in the Mahaffey Theater.#FirestoneGP pic.twitter.com/bB6WNlhVHW

— Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (@GPSTPETE) February 27, 2026