IndyCar and NASCAR are finally joining forces in a way that’s been in the works for years. In 2026, Phoenix Raceway will host a historic doubleheader weekend, bringing the IndyCar Series back to the one-mile oval for the first time since 2018 and pairing it directly with NASCAR’s spring Cup Series stop.
For Roger Penske, who not only owns Team Penske but also controls IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the crossover is the kind of strategic move that raises IndyCar’s visibility while tapping into NASCAR’s massive national audience. According to NASCAR.com, the March 7–8 weekend is officially on the 2026 calendar and promises to be one of the most unique spectacles of the motorsport season.
The announcement comes with other key changes to IndyCar’s schedule. Out are Thermal Club, the high-end private road course that debuted as an exhibition in 2024, and the Iowa Speedway doubleheader, which had been a summer staple.
In their place, IndyCar has focused on better pacing and a more balanced mix of venues to keep momentum alive early in the season. FOX, which will carry all 17 IndyCar races for the second consecutive season in 2026, is heavily invested in keeping its motorsport coverage consistent throughout the spring. As Fox Sports noted, Phoenix will now kick off a March run of four IndyCar races, giving the series a steady rhythm instead of the long gaps that sometimes slowed interest in 2024 and 2025.
The 2026 calendar also reflects IndyCar’s commitment to restoring balance between road courses, street circuits, and ovals. Alongside Phoenix, the slate includes Gateway, Milwaukee (as a doubleheader), Nashville Superspeedway, and, of course, the Indianapolis 500, a significant increase in oval presence compared to previous years.
It’s a move that doesn’t just make sense logistically, but it also strengthens both series in terms of visibility and long-term growth. NASCAR and IndyCar have shared crossovers before, most notably with Kyle Larson’s high-profile Indy 500 attempt in 2024, which proved that combined storylines can generate national attention.
Now, with Phoenix hosting both series on the same weekend and FOX broadcasting it wall-to-wall, this could mark the beginning of a new era where America’s two biggest racing leagues collaborate more closely to maximize momentum.
The Phoenix event on March 7 will be IndyCar’s 65th visit to the historic oval, the first on the reconfigured dogleg layout, and a Saturday showcase before NASCAR’s Cup race on March 8. It’s a doubleheader that could draw fans from both worlds, blending open-wheel precision with stock car intensity for a can’t-miss weekend.
Penske’s fingerprints are all over this. As the owner of Team Penske, which fields cars in both series, he’s long pushed for synergies that boost exposure. The 2021 Indianapolis Motor Speedway doubleheader, where NASCAR’s Cup and Xfinity ran the road course alongside IndyCar, was a hit, packing stands and boosting ratings.
Phoenix, with its deep open-wheel roots dating back to the 1960s, is a natural fit, and the March timing aligns with NASCAR’s spring schedule. IndyCar’s season opener in St. Petersburg on March 1 sets up a packed early calendar, with Phoenix, Arlington’s new street race on March 15, and more to follow. Dropping Iowa and Thermal makes room for this oval emphasis, aiming for a 17-race slate that mixes six ovals, six permanent road courses, and five street circuits.
For fans, it’s a dream come true: two series, one ticket, endless action. The Phoenix doubleheader with NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on Saturday, followed by Cup on Sunday and an ARCA race, turns the Valley of the Sun into a motorsport mecca. It’s the kind of collaboration that could spark more crossovers, like Larson’s Double, and give FOX a powerhouse weekend of coverage.
The Fans weigh in
The Phoenix NASCAR-IndyCar doubleheader news has fans on X hyped and hopeful, with reactions flooding in about what it means for both series. One user nailed the oval push: “Hopefully NASCAR and IndyCar will work together on ovals more in the future. IndyCar needs to get back to having a good amount of them.” The 2026 schedule delivers exactly that, with Phoenix returning as a 1-mile oval on March 7, joining Gateway, Nashville Superspeedway, and a Milwaukee doubleheader for six ovals total.
Dropping Thermal Club’s road course and Iowa’s doubleheader shifts focus to ovals, a fan-favorite balance that’s been missing lately. It’s a win for traditionalists who love the high-speed oval action, especially with Phoenix’s dogleg adding a unique twist.
Another fan got playful, “Can’t wait to see an IndyCar driver attempt to cut the dog leg and get ‘stuck.’” Phoenix’s backstretch dogleg, a slight bend in the straightaway, has been a hot topic since its reconfiguration.
IndyCar’s return marks the first time on the new layout, and fans are buzzing about how open-wheel cars will handle the kink. In NASCAR, drivers like Kyle Busch have clipped it aggressively, but IndyCar’s higher speeds could lead to wild moments, like cars “stuck” or sliding wide. It’s the kind of speculation that amps up excitement for the March 7 event.
Another fan suggested incentives: “FOX should offer a bonus to any driver who attempts to run both events. At the very least they should do some ride swaps before the cup race.” With FOX airing all 17 IndyCar races in 2026, a doubleheader bonus makes sense for crossovers like Larson’s 2024 Double.
The Phoenix weekend, IndyCar on Saturday with NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts, Cup on Sunday, sets up perfect timing for dual entries or swaps. While no official bonus is confirmed, the 2021 Indy doubleheader’s success shows how ride-alongs boost viewership, and fans love the idea of a Larson or Hamlin hopping in an IndyCar.
Speculation ran to Larson, “Kyle Larson to run Phoenix IndyCar?” Larson tested an IndyCar at Phoenix in February 2024 for his Double prep, so a 2026 entry isn’t far-fetched. His 2024 Indy 500 run drew massive attention, and with Phoenix’s oval setup, it’d be a natural fit for another crossover. No commitment yet, but fans see it as a chance for him to build on his open-wheel experience.
Jamie Little chimed in, “The 2026 @IndyCarOnFOX schedule has been released. I like the NASCAR/IndyCar doubleheader the first two race weekends, it keeps motorsport eyeballs on the FOX family of networks all weekend.”
FOX’s all-17-race coverage in 2026 shines with Phoenix’s March 7 doubleheader, followed by Arlington’s street race on March 15. It’s a motorsport marathon, packing ovals, streets, and NASCAR’s Cup to keep viewers hooked. The Milwaukee doubleheader in late August adds more synergy, turning weekends into must-watch events.