The NTT IndyCar Series is making a dramatic return to the Lone Star State in 2026, marking a significant comeback after a three-year absence. While official details remain under wraps, a new event is expected to be confirmed at a venue owned by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, signaling a fresh chapter for the series in Texas.
IndyCar’s deep-rooted history in Texas spans several iconic locations, including Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) near Dallas/Fort Worth, which hosted the series until 2023. Previously, the series also visited Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin for a short stint, but the venue was dropped from the schedule in 2021 after a canceled race during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Texas has been home to several memorable IndyCar moments, from the street races in Houston around the Astrodome and NRG Stadium to the high-speed battles on the grand two-mile oval at Texas World Speedway in the 1970s. The series’ storied past in Texas also intersects with Formula 1, which held the Dallas Grand Prix in 1984 at Fair Park, notorious for its sweltering conditions, and the SCCA Trans Am series, which had a brief stint in the region before the event’s demise in 1996.
Though representatives from Penske Entertainment have declined to comment, confirmation of the new Texas event is anticipated in the coming weeks, igniting excitement for what could be a pivotal addition to the IndyCar calendar. This new venture is poised to rekindle IndyCar’s legacy in Texas, bringing high-speed thrills back to fans in a region that has long been a vital part of American open-wheel racing.
