This weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida, motorsports fans witness an unprecedented event as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the NTT IndyCar Series share a race weekend for the first time. The unique combination kicks off today, delivering a mix of practices and qualifying sessions that set the stage for a weekend of intense racing action on the streets of St. Pete.
The IndyCar St. Petersburg Weekend features a packed Friday schedule filled with on-track sessions and television coverage designed to showcase emerging talent alongside seasoned competitors.
Friday’s On-Track Activities and Broadcast Schedule
Friday’s activities start at 12:30 p.m. EST with an Indy NXT practice session aired on Fox Sports 2. Indy NXT, the developmental series feeding talent into IndyCar, marks the beginning of the day’s action. Following this, at 1:35 p.m., the main NTT IndyCar teams will take to the circuit for their first practice session, also broadcast on Fox Sports 2.
The first IndyCar practice allows fans to see defending champion Alex Palou competing alongside a 25-car field preparing for the 2026 season. Attention will be on notable newcomers such as Will Power, who has switched to Andretti Global after a long tenure with Team Penske, and rookies Mick Schumacher, Dennis Hauger, and Caio Collet, all facing the challenging St. Pete street course at the IndyCar level for the first time.
At 4:00 p.m., the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series hits the track for their inaugural street course practice session. Never before has the Truck Series competed on a street circuit in its over 30-year history, so every driver will be learning how to adapt their driving to the tight, barrier-lined urban track in a heavier truck. This session also airs on Fox Sports 2.
Among the Truck Series competitors are former IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti, IndyCar broadcaster and ex-race winner James Hinchcliffe, and IMSA veteran Colin Braun. Each brings road course expertise but will need to adjust to the unique handling of NASCAR trucks on this unfamiliar layout.
Truck Series qualifying follows promptly at 5:00 p.m. on Fox Sports 2, setting the starting order for Saturday’s 80-lap event. The session is expected to reveal how experienced road racers hold up against regular Truck Series drivers in this historic setting.
Weather Forecast May Affect Late Afternoon Sessions
Weather presents some uncertainty for Friday’s late sessions, with a forecast indicating a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms beginning in the afternoon, rising to over 80 percent Saturday. The Sunday schedule, which features the IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, currently appears likely to be clear.
Because Truck Series practice and qualifying are scheduled for late in the day, weather delays or interruptions are a real possibility. Fans both at the track and watching from home should stay tuned for updates as conditions change.
All Friday sessions are accessible live via Fox Sports 2. For viewers without cable or satellite access, the Fox Sports App provides streaming options to follow every session.
St.Pete
ETFri-FS2
12:30-NXT p
1:35-INDY p
4-Truck p&q
NWS:70s, 30%rainSat
8:30-FS1-NXT p
9:35-FS1-INDY p
12:22-FOX-Trucks 20-20-40
3:45-FS2-NXT q
4:30-FS2-INDY q
NWS:70s,60%Sun
9:05-FS1-INDY warmup
10:06-FS1-NXT 45
12-FOX-Prerace
12:29-FOX-INDY 100
NWS:70s,10%— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 26, 2026
