The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg has been a fixture on the IndyCar circuit for decades. This marks the 22nd consecutive running, making it the second longest active venue behind only the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 2026 marks the 16th time the race kicks off the IndyCar season, creating a celebratory atmosphere as teams and fans come together in the warmth of the Florida sun after a long winter break.
Founded as a Trans Am series race in 1985, the Grand Prix of St. Pete went through several iterations and stops and starts before becoming a CART race in 2003, with Paul Tracy winning that inaugural event in his Ford Cosworth powered Lola, on a track that is very similar to today’s course. Over the years other winners have included such IndyCar luminaries as Dan Weldon, Hélio Castroneves, Will Power, Juan Pablo Montoya, and last year’s champion, Alex Palou.
The Track
The St. Petersburg track winds its way along the waterfront on the western edge of Tampa Bay with the start/finish line about halfway down the front straight. When it’s not being used for racing, that particular section of track serves as runway 7/25 of Albert Whitted Airport, widely recognized as the birthplace of scheduled commercial aviation. After the long front straight the cars brake hard into a tricky right/left combination of corners that has been the scene of plenty of action over the years. Get that right and your set up for a quick run to turn 3 which angles gently into another long straight where it’s critical to get some passing done before turns 4 through 9, a rapid fires series of corners connected by short chutes where its almost impossible to overtake. After 9 the track opens up and you’ll see a lot of action as the cars speed past the South Yacht Basin into turn 10. From there it’s a fast run through the 11/12 chicane and into turns 13 and 14 that make up the hairpin leading back to the front straight.
Over the years, drivers have praised the course for its challenging nature. 2023 winner Marcus Ericsson said, “I like the fact that you don’t have a lot of margin for error, where the walls are close. So you have to be very precise in your driving.” He went on to talk about the track’s balance of good flow, technical sections and high speed areas, and ample passing opportunities. This has led to close action over the years with the race often decided by mere seconds over the last couple of laps.
Grandstand seats are a must for viewing this race and if you can get your hands on them seats up high in the turn 1 are the best available. The general admission areas don’t offer a lot of great views, and even though there are video boards around the track, seeing and experiencing the action in person is why you get off the couch and come to the venue. But as with every IndyCar weekend, the event is about more than just the race. There are opportunities to get into the paddock area, there are bands and other activities to enjoy, so plan on making a weekend of it.
The City
St. Petersburg was co-founded by Detroiter, John Williams and Peter Demens who incorporated it as a town in 1892. Legend has it the two flipped a coin to determine the name, Demens won the honor, choosing his home town in Russia as inspiration. St. Pete quickly became a tourist destination with pristine beaches on the gulf side of the peninsula. Today, it offers a vibrant art and culture scene, excellent dining and entertainment, and of course, it’s a prime destination for vacationers who are looking for an escape from winter’s chill.
Where To Stay:
First of all, you have two choices. Do you want to stay downtown and walk to the track or at the beach and drive. If you’re a beach person and budget is not an issue, we recommend the Don CeSar, a classic resort hotel on the gulf coast, it’s an easy 15 minute drive to the track, yet you’ll feel like you’re not just in another world, but another, more gracious time. Drive up the coast on Gulf Boulevard and you’ll find a plethora of more affordable options from national chains to independent motels with names like Holiday Isles Resort and Barefoot Beach that deliver the full sunset experience.
If you’d rather be closer to the track, downtown St. Pete offers a number of comfortable options. You will pay a premium on race weekend, but the convenience and access are worth it. For the quintessential St. Petersburg experience, you can’t beat the Vinoy Resort which sits on the North Yacht Basin of Tampa Bay. Opened in 1925, it fell into disrepair in the 1960s, but was restored to its former glory in the 1990s, earning AAA four diamond status along the way. For a more boutique experience, The Inn on Third offers cozy and comfortable rooms and the attentive service that comes from local ownership.
Where To Eat:
For the automotive obsessed (and who attending the race isn’t), Ford’s Garage may be a chain, but feels right at home during the Grand Prix. The have great burgers, a wide selection of beers on tap, and atmosphere for miles. Now if we could just get Ford back in the IndyCar engine game, that would be awesome. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous and a lot more local, we suggest Social Roost, the globally inspired food gets high marks and the service is stellar. For something a little more fun and beachy, it’s worth the drive to Billy’s Stone Crab, a casual, fun, and funky eatery on the Pinellas Byway near Shell Key. While all the seafood is top notch, don’t pass on the grouper!
With all there is to see and do in the area, along with a great track and warm weather, no matter who crosses the finish line first, it’s the fans who win at the IndyCar season opener in St. Petersburg.
