Kirkwood Sets the Pace at Arlington: A Look Ahead at the 2026 IndyCar Season
The 2026 IndyCar Series is already heating up, with Kyle Kirkwood leading the second practice session at the inaugural Java House Grand Prix of Arlington. This new addition to the schedule, racing around AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, promises to be a thrilling event. Here’s a breakdown of what we’ve learned so far and what fans can anticipate as the season unfolds.
Arlington Practice: Honda Dominates
Kirkwood, driving the No. 27 JM Bullion/Gold.com Honda, posted a lap time of 1:33.1409, topping the charts in the pre-qualifying practice. Notably, Honda-powered drivers swept the top five positions, signaling a potential advantage for the manufacturer on temporary street circuits. This mirrors past performance, with Honda having won 14 of the last 16 street races in the series.
Kirkwood’s Strong Start
This strong showing builds on a promising start to the season for Kirkwood, currently second in the series standings, just five points behind leader Josef Newgarden. He previously finished fourth and second in the opening races.
The Contenders: Newgarden, Palou and More
While Kirkwood currently leads the practice times, several other drivers are poised to challenge for the championship. Josef Newgarden (Team Penske Chevrolet) remains a formidable competitor, and reigning champion Álex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda) secured the second-fastest time in practice with a 1:33.5008. Marcus Armstrong too showed strong pace, finishing third.
Other drivers to watch include Scott McLaughlin and Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet), as well as Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda). The entry list also features rookies Caio Collet and Nolan Siegel, adding an element of unpredictability to the competition.
The Arlington Circuit: A New Challenge
The 70-lap race around the 2.73-mile temporary street circuit presents a unique challenge for drivers. The course weaves around AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, offering a visually stunning backdrop for the event. The inaugural race is scheduled for March 15, 2026.
Qualifying and Race Details
NTT P1 Award qualifying is set for 2:30 p.m. ET on March 15, 2026, with live coverage on FS2, FOX One, and the FOX Sports app. The race itself will begin at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, broadcast on FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX One, the FOX Sports app, and INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls.
Confirmed Entries
- Josef Newgarden (Team Penske Chevrolet)
- Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske Chevrolet)
- Caio Collet (A.J. Foyt Racing Chevrolet) – Rookie
- Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)
- Nolan Siegel (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)
- Christian Lundgaard (Arrow McLaren Chevrolet)
- Kyffin Simpson (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
- Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
- Álex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing Honda)
- David Malukas (Team Penske Chevrolet)
- Santino Ferrucci (A. J. Foyt Racing Chevrolet)
FAQ
- When is the 2026 Java House Grand Prix of Arlington? March 15, 2026.
- Where is the race being held? Arlington, Texas, on a temporary street circuit around AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field.
- How many laps will the race be? 70 laps.
- Who led the second practice session? Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti Global) with a time of 1:33.1409.
Stay tuned for further updates as the 2026 IndyCar Series progresses. With a competitive field and exciting new venues, this season promises to be one to remember.
