All the ingredients are in place to take the IndyAutomotive series to latest heights with the Arlington Grand Prix in March 2026. Many drivers within the paddock are currently wondering how this event can compete with Formula One's Miami Grand Prix.
The buzz from last week's announcement continues as the brand new event is a collaboration between Penske Entertainment, the Dallas Cowboys, and REV Entertainment, the official events partner of the Texas Rangers, which is about to bring the premier North American open-wheel championship back to Texas after a two-year absence.
AJ Foyt Racing's Santino Ferrucci said the thrill surrounding the Arlington announcement was incomparable.
– Even in Milwaukee [returning to The Milwaukee Mile] it was a vital announcement, but there isn’t any connection to it,” Ferrucci told Motorsport.com.
“I think Texas really wanted an open-wheel race. Texas Motor Speedway wasn't a good fit for us and it hasn't been a great race track, I think, over the last decade in terms of attracting fans. Coming back with a bang, racing around one of the best American sports venues in the country, the way they do it is truly sick. There's nothing like that on our calendar and the only thing that comes to mind for candles would be Indy. It will be beautiful.”
The 26-year-old's attention was caught by the track, which was designed by longtime IndyAutomotive street track architect Tony Cotman. The layout features a 9.5 mile long straight where speeds are prone to reach near or exceed 200 mph before being challenged with tempting braking before the hard right-hand braking point in Turn 10. Other notables include a double-sided pit lane service station, much like the one currently utilized in the Detroit street race.
Cars leave Detroit's Dual Pit Lane for Sunday's warm-up
Photo: Art Fleischmann
For his part, Ferrucci compared it to Belle Isle, where IndyAutomotive previously ran from 1992-2001, 2007-08, 2012-19 and 2021-22 before moving to Downtown Detroit.
“Honestly, just to see such a wide street track where you can pass opportunities and race,” Ferrucci said.
“It looks lots like Belle Isle and it was our greatest road course race. I feel the double pit lanes in Detroit are a number of the coolest facilities we’ve got in the town. Some people sit there and think, “Oh, that's kind of catchy,” and I feel that's amazing. Seeing the science behind it from a time perspective, after which having pit lane views and suites overlooking the pit lane while all this motion is occurring is just phenomenal.
“I think it's one of the best things we can offer, so I'm really excited about having a proper street track, although I don't think we'll have it… for 27 cars it'll be phenomenal.”
The Connecticut native also has faith within the upcoming Arlington Grand Prix, a 14-turn, 2.73-mile road course that may wrap across the Cowboys' AT&T Stadium and Rangers' Globe Life Field (very like the F1 Miami GP track wraps across the home of the Miami Dolphins), helps narrow the gap to a level that IndyAutomotive as a series is attempting to strive for. Additionally, he believes it could push other events to make improvements.
“Looking at what they're going to do with the Rangers and the Cowboys, I think everything that Mr. Penske has done for the show by introducing new events like this is kind of a wake-up call, potentially for other events,” Ferrucci said.
“You know, 'Hey, this is certainly going to turn out to be a staple.' This might be our first Formula 1-style street track and I feel it's value fighting for. We are slowly attracting higher facilities, more fans, working in higher sports markets, working with greater teams, attracting more eyeballs and more young fans to IndyAutomotive. I feel that is a fantastic start and can really turn the page on a brand new chapter within the series.
