{"id":166108,"date":"2026-02-23T21:02:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T21:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/166108\/"},"modified":"2026-02-23T21:02:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T21:02:08","slug":"indycars-firestone-grand-prix-returns-to-the-streets-of-st-pete-this-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/166108\/","title":{"rendered":"INDYCAR’s Firestone Grand Prix returns to the streets of St. Pete this weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is one of the Tampa Bay region\u2019s biggest \u2013 and fastest \u2013 sporting events. This weekend, the INDYCAR-led festival of racing returns to the streets of St. Pete, taking over the city\u2019s downtown waterfront Friday-Sunday, February 27-March 1.<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s 100-lap NTT INDYCAR SERIES Race is the highlight of the weekend, broadcast nationally on FOX. However, the experience is far more than just one race, or even just the races themselves, which take place everyday. A massive swath of downtown St. Pete is blocked off not just for the racing track, but for the full festival grounds, surrounding the track with tons of amazing food and drink vendors, interactive experiences with cars and drivers, games and activities for people of all ages, and front row views of professional drivers flying through the streets and along the waterfront. Tickets range from\u00a0$30 to $165<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"An\"An<\/p>\n

Not that we ever need an excuse to visit St. Pete, but this is one of the best reasons to cross the bridge on the annual calendar. It is truly a spectacle unlike anything else, even for those who don\u2019t follow racing. Just walking through the grounds of the course is worth the price of admission, and honestly, if you don\u2019t particularly care about the actual competition, you don\u2019t even need to bother finding a seat in the bleachers. I\u2019ve spent several happy afternoons on the Horse Soldier Bourbon floating dock that borders the track, where you\u2019re surrounded on three sides by water, have racers zipping by in front of you, and can have an excellent old fashioned mixed for you without missing a second of the fun.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re serious about the driving, Sunday is the day to go. That\u2019s the biggest action, and also the day with the biggest crowds. If you\u2019re just interested in the experience, Friday and Saturday (Friday especially) have cheaper tickets, smaller crowds, and just as much entertainment. No matter which day you go, there is action effectively nonstop from 8 am to 6 pm. Between practice rounds and the more than half a dozen competitive races, there are almost always drivers on the track, and you can be mere yards away just by stepping up to the fence lining the entire track and watching them go by. Whatever time is good for you, you\u2019ll get some of the action.<\/p>\n

Uber\/Lyft is probably the easiest way to get there, but if you plan to drive, there are parking options that don\u2019t involve endless circling and over-full garages. Pinellas County\u2019s SunRunner<\/a>, a bus rapid transit option, will drop you off right by the track, with convenient pickup locations near large and sometimes free parking lots. Plus, they\u2019re offering group discounts. Download the\u00a0Flamingo Fares App<\/a>, and for just $3, you can bring your whole crew (up to four people) with a Group Pass. Just use the promo code\u00a0CREW\u00a0at checkout (expires 3\/2).<\/p>\n

There is a SunRunner stop on 1st Avenue North right in front of Tropicana Field, which has several huge parking lots with paid parking. My pick: park for free in the grass lot at 3 Daughters Brewing, grab a cheap beer before or after the Grand Prix, and use the SunRunner stop on 1st Avenue North, just a two minute walk from the brewery.<\/p>\n

Tickets to the Grand Prix<\/a> (single-day or multi-day) are available online. Here\u2019s the rundown of events<\/a> for the weekend, for those looking for a specific race. <\/p>\n

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