Is There an IndyCar Race Today? 2026 Schedule & TV Guide
There is no IndyCar race today, September 2, 2026. The 2026 NTT IndyCar Series has one event left – the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey on September 6 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the season finale. Alex Palou has already clinched his fifth championship heading into that race.
IndyCar doesn’t race every day, or even every week – the season runs roughly 18 rounds between early March and Labor Day weekend, so most days really do have “no race today.” This guide explains how to check IndyCar’s schedule any time of year, what’s left on the 2026 calendar, and how to watch when there is a race.
Is There an IndyCar Race Today? (Live 2026 Status)
Last updated: September 2, 2026. As of today, the only race remaining on the 2026 calendar is the season finale on September 6 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. The championship itself is already decided – Alex Palou wrapped up his fourth consecutive title (fifth overall) at Milwaukee, so the finale is the last chance for the rest of the field to fight for second through fifth in points. After September 6, IndyCar goes into its off-season; the 2027 schedule typically opens in late February or early March.
Best Free Way to Watch IndyCar on FOX
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Winegard FlatWave Indoor HDTV Antenna – $59.99 Every 2026 IndyCar race airs live on FOX – this amplified antenna pulls in your local FOX affiliate for free, no cable or streaming bill required.
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How to Check IndyCar’s Schedule Any Day of the Year
Since this page can only reflect the schedule as of the date above, here’s how to check for yourself on any day:
- Official IndyCar schedule: indycar.com/Schedule lists every round of the current season with dates, tracks, and start times, and updates immediately if a race is postponed or rescheduled.
- IndyCar app: The official IndyCar mobile app pushes live notifications for race day, qualifying, and schedule changes, so you don’t have to check manually.
- FOX Sports schedule: Since FOX holds the exclusive US broadcast rights, its IndyCar Series page also lists upcoming race dates and channel assignments.
2026 IndyCar Season: Remaining Schedule & Championship Battle
The 2026 NTT IndyCar Series ran 18 rounds from the March 1 season opener at St. Petersburg through the September 6 finale. Here’s what’s left on the calendar:
| Date | Race | Track |
|---|---|---|
| September 6, 2026 | Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey (Season Finale) | WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA |
Heading into the finale, Alex Palou leads the points standings with 553, having already clinched the title at Milwaukee. Kyle Kirkwood sits second with 462 points, and Christian Lundgaard is third with 443 – those two, along with the rest of the top drivers, are racing at Laguna Seca for the remaining spots in the final championship order rather than for the title itself.
Major IndyCar Events
The Indianapolis 500 is IndyCar’s biggest race and one of the most prestigious events in motorsport. It runs every May at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, drawing drivers from around the world to the 2.5-mile oval, where cars reach speeds of over 220 mph on the straights.
The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is IndyCar’s marquee street race, run through closed public streets in Long Beach, California, every April. Tight, technical corners and a scenic coastal setting make it one of the season’s fan favorites.
IndyCar Teams and Drivers
IndyCar’s grid includes several well-established teams: Chip Ganassi Racing, Team Penske, Andretti Global, Arrow McLaren, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and Ed Carpenter Racing among them. These teams have combined for the vast majority of race wins and championships over the past decade.
Recognizable names on the current grid include Alex Palou (the reigning five-time champion), Scott Dixon, Josef Newgarden, Will Power, Kyle Kirkwood, Christian Lundgaard, Pato O’Ward, and Colton Herta, along with veterans like Romain Grosjean, who returned to Dale Coyne Racing for the 2026 season.
How to Watch IndyCar Races
Every 2026 IndyCar race, including the Indianapolis 500, airs live on FOX – IndyCar moved to an exclusive broadcast deal with FOX Sports starting in 2025, so NBC and ABC no longer carry any races. Practice and qualifying sessions typically air on FS1 or FS2.
If you don’t have cable, you have several options: watch for free with an over-the-air antenna if you’re within range of a local FOX station, subscribe to FOX One (FOX’s own streaming service, with a free trial available), or use a live-TV streaming service that carries FOX, such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or fuboTV.
IndyCar Race Tracks
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indy 500, has hosted racing for more than a century. Other long-running venues include the Texas Motor Speedway, the Long Beach Street Circuit, and the St. Petersburg Circuit.
IndyCar has also added newer venues in recent years, including street circuits in Nashville and Arlington, Texas, plus road courses like Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, each bringing a different driving challenge to the schedule.
Getting Tickets for IndyCar Races
Tickets are available directly through the official IndyCar website, as well as resale marketplaces like Ticketmaster and StubHub, and local box offices at the host track. Prices vary widely by race and seat location – general admission is typically the cheapest option, while reserved grandstand and paddock/VIP packages cost significantly more.
IndyCar Race Day Experience
Race weekends usually include driver autograph sessions, paddock walks, fan Q&As, and pit lane access passes at some events. Food vendors, kids’ activities, and fan contests round out the day, and merchandise stands sell everything from team apparel to die-cast model cars – popular souvenirs that let fans take a piece of race day home with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What channel is the IndyCar race on today?
Every 2026 IndyCar race airs live on FOX. IndyCar moved its US broadcast rights exclusively to FOX Sports starting with the 2025 season, so NBC and ABC no longer carry any races. Practice and qualifying usually air on FS1 or FS2.
How many races are in the IndyCar season?
The 2026 NTT IndyCar Series ran 18 rounds, from the March 1 season opener at St. Petersburg through the September 6 finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
When does the next IndyCar season start?
IndyCar typically opens its season in late February or early March and runs through Labor Day weekend, so there’s roughly a five-month off-season between the finale and the next year’s opener.
How much money do IndyCar drivers make?
IndyCar drivers’ salaries vary widely by team and results. Top drivers with major sponsorships can earn well over $1 million annually, while others further down the grid may earn closer to $200,000.
How long does the Indy 500 race last?
The Indianapolis 500 typically lasts about 3 to 4 hours, depending on caution periods and weather conditions.
Conclusion
As of today, September 2, 2026, there’s no IndyCar race – but the 2026 season wraps up in four days with the finale at Laguna Seca. Bookmark the official schedule or the IndyCar app so you always know exactly when the next race is, whether that’s this weekend or next season.
