IndyCar will return to Texas in 2026 with the Grand Prix of Arlington after Texas Motor Speedway was last on the calendar in 2023.
The street circuit was recently announced, and Alex Palou already has high expectations ahead of Arlington’s debut in the championship.
IndyCar’s newest race could be a distinct circuit on the calendar with a series of slower turns balanced by a 0.9 mile long back straight.
This may push the teams to compromise on setup and downforce levels to be competitive over the lap and a race distance.
Santino Ferrucci is eagerly anticipating IndyCar racing on the streets of Arlington and mocked the mixed reaction to one aspect of the venue via quotes from motorsport.com.
Santino Ferrucci feels Arlington’s dual pit lane is ‘incredible’ while others aren’t so convinced
The Grand Prix of Arlington will feature a dual pit lane, in a similar style to the split pit lane on the Streets of Detroit.
This is a rarity on the IndyCar calendar and in motorsport, with most circuits featuring the garages in a single row.
Ferrucci also compared the Arlington to the Belle Isle circuit in Detroit which was replaced in 2023 as IndyCar moved to downtown Detroit.
READ MORE: Alex Palou explains why the Arlington IndyCar race could become the ‘second Indy 500’
He explained the pit lane is an excellent aspect of the venue in Arlington, particularly when understanding the work that goes into it
He said: “It looks a lot like Belle Isle and that was our best street course race. And to see the pit lanes of Detroit, I think dual pit lanes are some of the coolest features we have in the city. Some people sit there and be like, ‘Oh, it’s a little gimmicky’ and I think it’s incredible.
“To see the science that goes behind it from a timing side of things and then to have the pit lane and to have suites overlooking pit lane for all that action, is just phenomenal.”
The Grand Prix of Arlington has received a mixed reaction
IndyCar returning to the Lone Star State should help the series develop, particularly as the circuit will be very close to the AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Some street circuits on the calendar, such as St. Petersburg and Long Beach have consistently been successful as they create good racing and are promoted well.
Other street courses have struggled and some people weren’t overly pleased about the race in Arlington as Texas Motor Speedway won’t be returning.
Former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe feels the mixed reaction to Arlington’s IndyCar race was frustrating as the event hasn’t been given much of an opportunity.