The second practice for the IndyCar’s inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington was halted Saturday because a catering crew was on the track.
A social media post showed three workers with a cart on the course just as drivers began their practice laps.
“Oh goodness me, there’s people crossing the track,” the commentator on the FS1 broadcast said.
Officials quickly dropped a red flag to stop the action.
“OK everybody, this was a serious breach of security to have people crossing the track while we were in session,” IndyCar race control was heard saying on radio, according to the Indianapolis Star. “So we’re going to send safety around the course to check everything we have here. That’s how serious this was. Once we have a secure course that we’re comfortable with, we’ll give you a count in.”
Practice began shortly after the track was cleared.
Grand Prix of Arlington start time moved up
The Java House Grand Prix of Arlington will be held for the first time Sunday. The IndyCar drivers will race on a 2.7-mile street course in Arlington around the entertainment district, Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium. The Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys are helping put on the event.
The start time for Sunday’s race has been moved up an hour because of “forecasted higher winds,” event organizers said in a statement Saturday.
TV coverage will now start at 10:30 a.m. on Fox, and the race will begin at 11 a.m.
Marcus Ericsson wins IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington pole
Marcus Ericsson of Sweden will start on the pole for the first time in Sunday’s race. Ericsson, driving the No. 28 InPwr Honda of Andretti Global, was the first driver to complete a qualifying lap, and his time of 1 minute, 34.3562 seconds, held up.
Reigning Indianapolis 500 winner and four-time IndyCar series champion Alex Palou of Spain will start second in the No. 10 Honda of Chip Ganassi Racing.
This story was originally published March 14, 2026 at 5:19 PM.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Jim Barnes is the Star-Telegram’s sports editor. A Fort Worth native and graduate of Castleberry High School, he returned to Texas after 13 years at the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He previously was sports editor of the Waco Tribune-Herald and a freelance high school sports reporter for The Dallas Morning News.