It is clear to us that when IndyCar announced the Grand Prix of Arlington and designed a track around AT&T stadium and Globe Life Field, their hope is to create an event in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that would serve as a counterpoint to F1’s Miami Grand Prix. The weekend schedule promises something for everyone and is packed with several classes of racing (including the Toyota GR Cup which should be a hoot), concerts at the end of each day, and autograph sessions with both current NTT IndyCar drivers and legends from IndyCar and the Dallas Cowboys.
An All New Street Circuit
The track layout has great promise and has the drivers excited about the potential for an exciting race. Winding between the AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field, the homes of the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers, it offers what appear to be three or maybe four solid passing areas. We’ll definitely see a lot of action in turn 10 at the end of the .9 mile-long straight (which is longer than the front straight at Indy!). Turns 12 and 14 both will goad drivers into seeing who’s brave enough to brake the latest and gain an advantage at the apex. The other area that will be interesting is turn 4. It’s the last turn before a complex series of corners where passing will be next to impossible. Drivers approaching slower traffic will want to get by before turn 4 to minimize the amount of time lost through what will be the slowest section of the track.
Another place that drivers will have to be careful is the turn 1/2 section which also includes the pit exit. Cars will come out of the pit on the outside of turn 2 and which could be a problem for cars coming through the corner at race speed. The split pit lane, similar to Detroit could also cause some chaos if multiple cars come in simultaneously during a yellow flag. Crews will have to be mindful when releasing their drivers, to ensure cars blend safely and avoid a pit lane incident.
Drivers have had time on the simulator to learn the track layout, but unlike existing tracks, the surface of the track has not been mapped, so they will have no idea about grip levels or where the bumps are until they take to the track for real in practice 1 on Friday. Drivers that are quick learners will have a big advantage here.
The Arlington Area
Founded in 1876, Arlington sits at the midway point between Dallas and Fort Worth creating a metroplex with a population of more than eight million people, making it the fourth largest metropolitan area in the U.S. Founded as a trading post, Arlington quickly transitioned to an agricultural community focused mostly on cotton farming. Today it is both a business and entertainment center home to GM’s Arlington Assembly plant where they build nearly 400,000 Chevy Tahoes and Suburbans, GMC Yukons, and Cadillac Escalades each year. Arlington is also where Six Flags Over Texas, the brand’s original amusement park was built and still entertains millions of guests every year.
Due to the nature of the area for the Grand Prix, there are a myriad of national brand hotel options within an easy drive of the event. We’ve previously stayed at the Loews Hotel and it is exactly as you’d expect, upscale and comfortable with excellent service. A more interesting option sits just a mile and a half from the track, the Sanford House, which is the only independent luxury boutique hotel in Arlington. It features four one-bedroom cottage suites, a couple of two-bedroom villa suites, and six rooms in the manor house. The Inn also offers along with elegant dining featuring seasonal, chef-driven menus, and an award-winning spa.
There are a wealth of dining options both chain and independent in the area. Local favorites include Smoke’N Ash BBQ, a Tex/Ethiopian fusion restaurant; Mariano’s Hacienda, one of the best Tex-Mex spots in the metro area; and if you’re craving pizza, Cane Rosso offers authentic Neapolitan fare in a casual setting. There are fine dining options in Arlington, but you’re also only 15 minutes from Dallas where you’ll find world-class experiences at Tatsu Dallas, Monarch, and Fearing’s Restaurant among others.
