As cleanup begins, Java House Grand Prix of Arlington plans for next year are underway

Crews are tearing down Arlington’s IndyCar street circuit after the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington, as the city looks to bring it back next year.

ARLINGTON, Texas — The inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington crossed the finish line over the weekend, wrapping up three days of racing that transformed city streets into a temporary course for the IndyCar race.

Now crews are beginning the process of dismantling the street circuit — removing grandstands, fencing and barriers that turned the district into a racetrack.

“It was definitely breathtaking,” said Jonathan Bailey, vice president of operations for Penske Entertainment. “We were blown away when that green flag goes and you see those grandstands completely full.”

Organizers say the race weekend was years in the making. Planning on the ground began about two years ago, and it took roughly two months to build the temporary infrastructure needed for the course.

Taking it all down will take time as well.

Bailey said crews expect the teardown process to last about two weeks, gradually reopening roads throughout the area.

“You can traverse through the area, and as days go by — about a week-and-a-half from now, two weeks from now — the areas will be opened more and more every evening,” Bailey said.

As crews work to restore the streets, Arlington leaders say the event left a lasting impact beyond the race itself.

Mayor Jim Ross said the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington generated business across North Texas.

“This event here didn’t just let Arlington make some money,” Ross said. “It helped all of our surrounding communities make money.”

Hotels filled with visitors and restaurants had busy crowds as thousands of race fans traveled to the region.

Ross said the weekend also put the city on a global stage.

“Are we proud of the world stage we’re on? You better believe we are,” he said. “But we also understand that all of North Texas gets better when one of us does better.”

Mayor Ross plans to bring the race back for years to come. And Bailey is planning for it too. Bailey said, “There’s definitely things that we are looking at to continue to make the fan experience better.”

The weekend also offered a preview of what’s ahead for the city. Arlington is set to host several matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup at AT&T Stadium, bringing massive international crowds to the region.

“I was blown away. What a wonderful, wonderful time,” Ross said. “This is what Arlington was born to do.”