The 22nd annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, set for February 27-March 1, transforms the spectacular downtown waterfront into a three-day celebration of racing, food, and entertainment. By blending major motorsports disciplines into one marquee weekend, the Grand Prix is a “must do” event and offers fans more variety, more action, and even more reasons to be part of this St. Pete tradition
It all starts here for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the 16th time as the series’ season-opening event. More than two dozen of the world’s most elite drivers will take on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn street course, pushing their Indy cars to the limit during 180 miles of competition in Sunday’s main event, which goes green shortly after noon. Alex Palou, the defending winner and four-time INDYCAR Champion, will return to the “Sunshine City” to defend his title.
“We’re thrilled to once again welcome fans to beautiful downtown St. Petersburg for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC, organizers of the Grand Prix. “Each year this event brings incredible energy to the city, and we’re excited to deliver another unforgettable race weekend including for the first-time ever NASCAR Trucks racing on a street course!”
History will be made when the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races on a street course for the first time on Saturday, Feb. 28th just after the noon hour. There’s no better place for it to happen than the downtown St. Pete streets with NASCAR drivers racing these colorful trucks fender-to-fender and side-by-side. The series will also be on course for practice and qualifying sessions beginning on Friday, Feb. 27th.
The world will see St. Pete’s spectacular waterfront track winding through downtown, past yachts and the eye-catching Dali Museum. Live national broadcasts of Sunday’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES race and also Saturday’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series feature will air on FOX (locally on FOX 13 Tampa Bay).
INDY NXT by Firestone returns with the next generation of open-wheel talent, while USF2000 showcases more rising stars climbing the racing ladder to INDYCAR. Sports car fans will also get their fix with the competitive, door-to-door battles of the Mazda MX-5 Cup. Every session brings a new style of racing, making the weekend one of the most dynamic and entertaining in motorsports.
Two community activities return on Thursday, Feb. 26 in St. Pete’s North Straub Park just north of the race site to kick off the festivities. INDYCAR Party in the Park, a free event featuring race cars on display and drivers signing autographs, and the annual 5K Run & Walk, with all proceeds from entries benefiting the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg, happen in the late afternoon. Visit gpstpete.com for tickets and also the “Plan Your Visit” fan information.
Interested in becoming a volunteer at the grand prix? Visit gpstpete.com/volunteer to apply.