NTT INDTCAR’s 2026 Hybrid Season: Western Focus And The Push For A 20-Race Calendar

Pato O'Ward leads teammate Christian Lundgaard and eventual 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Season Champion Alex Palou through Turn 1 at The Thermal Club in the season's  second race of the first full season utilizing a hybrid power formula. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2025)

IndyCar’s 2026 Hybrid Season: Western Focus And The Push For A 20-Race Calendar

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES has unveiled its 2026 schedule, marking the second full season of its hybrid power era, blending electric and combustion engines in a formula that has intensified competition since its 2024 Mid-Season introduction. The 17-race calendar, spanning from St. Petersburg’s streets to Laguna Seca’s finale, mixes ovals, road courses, and street circuits. While the schedule highlights a Western focus, with key races in Phoenix (oval), Long Beach (temporary street circuit), and Laguna Seca (established road course), it sidesteps ambitions for Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez and the talk of reigniting the Gold Coast of Australia, leaving international expansion on hold for another year.

2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Schedule: Following a 2025 season with 27% viewership growth on FOX Sports, averaging 1.36M viewers and crowned by Álex Palou’s historic three-peat, IndyCar’s 17-race 2026 calendar promises dynamic racing. “Our growth is industry-leading and will accelerate with FOX Sports and new venues,” said Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles. “We can’t wait for 2026.” Graphic Credit: Penske Entertainment (2025)

The Western region gains prominence with three pivotal races. Phoenix Raceway opens the Western swing on March 7, a Saturday slot to avoid clashing with NASCAR, where the hybrid-powered Dallara chassis will tackle the one-mile oval. On April 19, Long Beach’s street circuit follows, its tight corners and waterfront straight leveraging the hybrid system’s energy recovery for strategic overtakes. The season concludes on September 6 at Laguna Seca, a track restored as the championship-deciding venue, signaling INDYCAR’s intent to reconnect with West Coast fans and capitalize on the region’s racing prominence and heritage.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca’s return as the season finale replaces Nashville Superspeedway. This shift prioritizes the 2.238-mile road course’s challenging layout over Nashville's urban street spectacle once-removed, from a temporary street course to 2024's change to the oval course, located roughly 40 miles East outside of the city. 

The WeatherTech Raceway's elevation changes and iconic Corkscrew will test drivers like Álex Palou, the defending - and now 4-time / with a 3-peat - champion, as they navigate the hybrid system’s regenerative capabilities. This Western trio - Phoenix, Long Beach, and Laguna Seca - aims to draw crowds and boost INDYCAR’s visibility in a key market, reinforcing the series’ commitment to its coastal fanbase after two years of absence from Monterey.

Despite the schedule’s strengths, 17 races feel insufficient compared to other motorsport series. NASCAR’s Cup Series runs 36 races, Formula 1 schedules 24, and IMSA exceeds a dozen. INDYCAR’s calendar, though varied with additions like Arlington’s street circuit (March 13-15), Toronto GP venue change about 20 miles North to the Streets of Markham, Ontario, Canada (August 14-16) and Milwaukee’s doubleheader (August 28-30), lacks the depth to match its rivals’ intensity. The hybrid formula, with its complex battery management and push-to-pass tactics, calls for a broader stage to showcase driver skill and team strategy, ensuring the series remains competitive in a crowded motorsport landscape.

To reach elite status, we at Motorsports Journal believe INDYCAR should expand to 20 races, adding depth without exhausting teams. Reinstating Iowa Speedway’s short oval in the summer could highlight the hybrid system’s efficiency, fitting neatly without overlapping local events like the Iowa State Fair. A return to The Thermal Club’s 3.67-mile road course in March would tighten the early-season schedule, offering a California-based test of speed and strategy. These additions, possibly replacing less distinctive ovals, would create a more robust championship while maintaining balance.

Expanding to 20 races would benefit teams, broadcasters, and fans. Engineers would gain more data to refine hybrid setups, FOX Sports’ coverage through 2030 would have more content, and fans would have more opportunities to engage, potentially growing the series’ audience. The Western focus already sets the stage, with Phoenix and Long Beach drawing diverse viewers early on in the season. Additional races, perhaps in the Midwest or Pacific Northwest/West Coast of Canada in addition to Portland, Oregon, could further diversify the schedule, creating a championship that tests endurance and skill across varied landscapes.

As INDYCAR prepares for 2026, its hybrid era holds immense potential. The Western emphasis, anchored by Phoenix, Long Beach, and Laguna Seca, is a strategic move, but a 20-race schedule would elevate the series to new heights. More races mean more chances for drivers to shine, fans to rally, and legacies to form. INDYCAR’s hybrid engine is ready - now it just needs many more roads of competition to prove its change in formula worth.

... notes from The EDJE

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Carburation Day 2025 At Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hosts The Inaugural Wienie 500

 

Friday! Friday! Friday! It's the motorsports event of the year - the inaugural Wienie 500. For the first time ever all 6 Wienermobiles will race against each other at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The American Southwest will be represented by Oscar Mayer Wienermobile No. 04 - the Sonoran Dog. Image Credit: Oscar Mayer (2025)

Carburation Day 2025 At Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hosts The Inaugural Wienie 500

Today, Carburation Day, May 23, 2025, Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts the first-ever “Wienie 500,” a thrilling marketing spectacle featuring Oscar Mayer’s iconic fleet of six Wienermobiles racing on the legendary track. This unique event, part of Carburation Day festivities ahead of the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500, marks the first competitive race for the Wienermobiles and their first “meat-up” in over a decade.

 
Representing the American Southwest, Wienermobile No. 04, the Sonoran Dog, distinguished visually by its Dark Green Accent, will compete alongside other regional-themed vehicles: the No. 01 Chi Dog for the Midwest, No. 02 - Red Accent New York Dog for the East, No. 03 - Purple Accent Slaw Dog for the Southeast, No. 05 - Blue Accent Seattle Dog for the Northwest, and No. 06 - Brown Accent Chilli Dog for the South.

The Wienie 500 will be streamed live at 2 p.m. ET on the FOX Sports app and @INDYCARonFOX social accounts, with highlights featured during the Indy 500 pre-race show on FOX. Each Wienermobile, piloted by Oscar Mayer’s Hotdoggers in custom racing suits, will vie for victory in a race complete with a trophy presentation in the “Wiener’s Circle,” featuring a celebratory condiment spray and a hot dog for the winner.

Wienermobile dimensions as provided by Oscar Mayer and presented by FOX S[ports for the Wienie 500. Image Credit: FOX Sports via YouTube (2025)

Hot dog enthusiasts nationwide can join the excitement through a free-to-play pool on DraftKings, available at Draftkings.com/wienie500. Fans can predict race outcomes for a chance to win a share of a $10,000 cash prize. “The Indy 500 kicks off summer and hot dog season,” said Kelsey Rice, brand communications director at Oscar Mayer. “The Wienie 500 brings delightful competition to the Speedway, celebrating delicious meats and American traditions.”

Oscar Mayer WIENIE 500
PUNS In 40 Seconds LINK

As the “Official Hot Dog” of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500, Oscar Mayer is launching the Wienie 500 with a nationwide advertising campaign, promising more surprises throughout the summer. For more details and to follow the crowning of the ultimate wiener, visit OscarMayer.com or follow @OscarMayer on Instagram and TikTok.

POST RACE UPDATE - Full Race Event Video Link >>>

The starting order for the race was set based on the car numbers assigned to each Wienermobile, as follows:

Row 1

No. 01 Chi Dog representing the Midwest - No. 02 New York Dog representing the East 

Row 2

No. 03 Slaw Dog representing the Southeast - No. 04 Sonoran Dog representing the Southwest

 

Row 3

No. 05 Seattle Dog representing the Northwest - No. 06 Chilli Dog representing the South 

The race began with a standing start, and when the GREEN Flag waved, the Wienermobiles proceeded cleanly in single-file order, Nos. 1 through 6, navigating Turns 1 and 2. On the back straightaway, the Wienermobiles started to jostle and challenge for position, though the order remained unchanged initially. The race unfolded as described below.

Over the course of the two-lap, five-mile race, there were two notable passes for the lead. The first lead change occurred on the front straightaway under the WHITE Flag, as the No. 04 Sonoran Dog surged forward, overtaking three Wienermobiles while crossing the yard of bricks. This bold move thrilled spectators, including those at The EDJE, who rose to their feet in excitement. However, the celebration was brief, as the No. 04 Sonoran Dog’s engine began spewing smoke exiting Turn 2.

On the second pass down the back straightaway, the competition intensified. The No. 04 Sonoran Dog was overtaken, and the No. 03 Slaw Dog for the Southeast made a decisive move, passing the No. 01 Chi Dog for the Midwest for the second time at the yard of bricks, this time under the CHECKERED Flag.

Inaugural Marketing Genius Event "Wienie 500" Finishing Order: 

• No. 03 Slaw Dog for the Southeast 

• No. 01 Chi Dog for the Midwest 

• No. 02 New York Dog for the East 

• No. 05 Seattle Dog for the Northwest 

• No. 06 Chilli Dog for the South 

• No. 04 Sonoran Dog for the Southwest (engine performance issues)

NEXT - The Big Show >>> The Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is Sunday (10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT, FOX - Over-The-Air, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).

... notes from The EDJE

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Surprise, Surprise For Rookies PREMA & Swartzman At 109th INDY500 Qualifications

ROOKIE Robert Shwartzman from the rookie team PREMA captures the NTT P1 Pole position - nipping our Takuma Sato.Robert Shwartzman & PREMA Team - Indianapolis 500 Qualification Photo By: John Cote via NICS (2025)

Surprise, Surprise For Rookies Shwartzman & PREMA At 109th INDY500 Qualifications

In a stunning turn of events at the 109th Indianapolis 500 qualifications on May 17-18, 2025, rookie team PREMA Racing and its debutant driver Robert Shwartzman defied expectations to claim pole position at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The European powerhouse, new to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and grappling with a lackluster start to the 2025 season, showcased remarkable pace as Shwartzman, a 25-year-old Israeli rookie with no prior oval experience, delivered a blistering four-lap average of 232.790 mph to secure the top spot. This historic achievement marked PREMA as the first team to win pole in its IndyCar debut and Shwartzman as the first rookie pole-sitter since 1983, sending shockwaves through the paddock.

Israeli Robert Shwartzman, a 2019 FIA Formula 3 champion and 2021 FIA Formula 2 runner-up, built a versatile racing career with PREMA, served as a Ferrari F1 reserve driver, and competed in endurance racing before joining the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2025. Image Credit: Will Buxton via FB/META (2025)

PREMA Racing, a celebrated European racing team, has encountered a difficult start in its debut 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, struggling through the first five races: the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, The Thermal Club Indy Grand Prix, the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park, and the Sonsio Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

Entering IndyCar with high expectations, the team fielded two Chevrolet-powered cars driven by veteran Callum Ilott and rookie Robert Shwartzman, but their performances have been lackluster. As the newest of the series’ 11 full-time teams, PREMA has grappled with the complexities of IndyCar’s competitive field, hybrid systems, and tire management, resulting in consistent finishes in the lower half of the 27-car grid.

Callum Ilott, a 25-year-old British driver with 38 prior IndyCar starts and two top-5 finishes, was expected to lead PREMA’s charge, but his results have disappointed. In St. Petersburg, he finished 19th after a suboptimal hard-tire strategy and a mistake at Turn 10, while at Thermal, he placed 26th following a refueling issue and a collision with Shwartzman. Ilott’s qualifying struggles, often starting outside the top 20, have compounded the team’s challenges, forcing him to fight from the back. Strategic missteps, setup issues, and PREMA’s inexperience have hindered Ilott’s ability to replicate his past IndyCar performances, despite his familiarity with tracks like Barber and the Indianapolis road course.

The front row for the 109th Indianapolis 500, held on May 25, 2025, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, consists of the following drivers, listed with their starting positions, car numbers, teams, engines, and key driver information, based on qualifying results:

Robert Shwartzman (Pole Position)

Car Number: 83

Team: Prema Racing

Engine: Chevrolet

Qualifying Speed: 232.790 mph (4-lap average)

Driver Information: A 25-year-old rookie from Israel, Shwartzman made history as the first Israeli-born driver to qualify for the Indy 500 and the first rookie to earn pole since Teo Fabi in 1983 - Fabi secured the pole with a four-lap average speed of 207.395 mph, setting a new track record at the time, further, Fabi became the first rookie to win the pole since Walt Faulkner in 1950. This is Shwartzman's and Prema Racing's first-ever oval race. His pole-winning performance stunned the paddock, showcasing his talent in a highly competitive field.

Takuma Sato

Car Number: 75

Team: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

Engine: Honda

Qualifying Speed: 232.478 mph

Driver Information: A 48-year-old veteran from Japan, Sato is a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner (2017, 2020). Known for his aggressive driving style, he has 11 career IndyCar starts at Indy, with a strong track record, including multiple top-10 finishes. Sato’s experience and speed make him a formidable contender, and his front-row start marks a return to prominence for RLL Racing.

Pato O’Ward

Car Number: 5

Team: Arrow McLaren

Engine: Chevrolet

Qualifying Speed: 232.098 mph

Driver Information: A 26-year-old from Mexico, O’Ward is a rising star in IndyCar with five career wins since 2021. He has yet to win the Indy 500 but has finished sixth or better three times, including a strong runner-up finish in 2024. Known for his bold passing moves, O’Ward’s front-row start positions him as a favorite for the 2025 race.

Despite a rocky start to their 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES campaign, PREMA Racing has proven their mettle on the grand stage of the Indianapolis 500, with rookie Robert Shwartzman’s historic pole position at 232.790 mph and Callum Ilott’s respectable 23rd-place qualification at 230.704 mph. The team’s early struggles on road and street courses, where they often languished in the lower half of the 27-car field, exposed the challenges of adapting to IndyCar’s diverse demands. However, PREMA’s relentless focus on oval preparation, bolstered by Ilott’s experience and rigorous testing at tracks like Thermal and Barber, has begun to yield results, suggesting a stronger aptitude for ovals where setup and aerodynamics are paramount. 

As the checkered flag looms for the 109th Indianapolis 500 on May 25, 2025, PREMA Racing stands as an unexpected force, guided by sporting director Ryan Briscoe and reserve driver Romain Grosjean. Shwartzman’s composure under pressure and Ilott’s steady contribution have silenced doubters, positioning the team as contenders in a race defined by surprises. With their European precision and a steep learning curve behind them, PREMA’s breakthrough at Indy signals a potential turning point, setting the stage for an electrifying race day and a promising second half of the season.

... notes from The EDJE

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