Race organizers, construction crews, city staff and local businesses are already preparing for a historic Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
The race-turned-four-day festival annually provides an influx of cash and positive exposure, and stakeholders should see more of both this year. For the first time in its history, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will battle on a street course between NTT IndyCar Series action.
The 2025 race’s Sunday finale attracted an estimated 165,000 people to the downtown waterfront. Grand Prix organizer Green-Savoree Racing, which doesn’t release attendance numbers, told the Catalyst that this year’s event could set a new record after a “First Block” track-build event Thursday.
“This is more than a race these days,” said CEO Kim Green. “It’s a big gathering, a big weekend where everybody comes and enjoys the festivities. It’s built up to be one of the best races – certainly, one of the best IndyCar races – in the country.”
The 22nd annual running kicks off Thursday, Feb. 26, with community events and culminates Sunday, March 1, with IndyCar’s season-opening race. North America’s premier open-wheel auto racing series selected St. Petersburg to host its launch party for the 16th time.
Veteran Formula 1 racer Mick Schumacher, son of motorsports legend Michael Schumacher, will make his IndyCar debut in St. Petersburg. Record-setting driver Will Power, who has secured an incredible nine pole positions at the Grand Prix, will also cement his switch from Team Penske to Andretti Global.
“It’s going to be exciting,” Green said. “Those guys haven’t raced since September.”
What many stakeholders call a postcard for St. Petersburg will again reach over 200 countries. Fox, known for its NASCAR coverage, is now in its second year of broadcasting the IndyCar Series.
The 2026 Grand Prix will, for the first time, have a nationally broadcast race on a Saturday. Fox will cover the NASCAR Truck Series live.
Kevin Savoree, co-owner of Green-Savoree Racing, noted that “rubbing is racing” is a common motorsports phrase. “And let me tell you, they are going to live up to that.”
When he and Green heard the Grand Prix could feature the first street race for NASCAR trucks, their response was “somewhere between ‘that’s a great idea’ and ‘hell yeah,’” Savoree said.
However, the Grand Prix’s impact extends far beyond racing. A previous Visit St. Pete-Clearwater (VSPC) study found that the event generates an economic impact of over $60 million and more than 15,000 overnight stays.
An annual 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track, held Thursday, Feb. 26, has raised $423,265 for the Police Athletic League since 2017. The free IndyCar Party in the Park, which offers fans the opportunity to receive up-close views of race cars and driver autographs, is from 4 to 7 p.m. that day at North Straub Park.
Chris Steinocher, CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, said residents know that spring is upon the city when construction crews begin building grandstands along Albert Whitted Airport’s runway, a temporary yacht club with views of the downtown skyline and a 1.8-mile street course.
“Just think about all the folks that come in here, they spend their money in our community and those cash registers ring,” Steinocher said. “And those aren’t even the race fans yet – those are people building this race track.”
Approximately 300 people will build the track in 25 days. The job took 75 days when the Grand Prix began in 2004. “The city has changed so much in 20 years that we need to get out of the way,” Savoree said.
Brian Lowack, CEO of VSPC, noted that fans will “pack” streets, businesses and hotels. “But in addition to that, we’re going to get millions and millions of eyeballs from around the world.”
Lowack said the downtown waterfront provides an ideal “first impression” for potential visitors who are tuning in to watch IndyCars, which top 200 mph, speed through city streets. He added that bed tax revenue from the Grand Prix and similar events support capital projects, like the nearby Dali Museum’s expansion, and “saved every single household here in Pinellas County about $2,000” last year.
“So, it’s incredibly important,” Lowack said. “That’s why we do this – that’s what it’s all about.”
Mayor Ken Welch saw a Grand Prix commercial during a recent playoff game. “That’s the kind of worldwide recognition we get from this race,” he said.
“The worldwide broadcast of our waterfront in March, when the weather is even better than today, is invaluable in terms of marketing.”
This content provided in partnership with StPeteCatalyst.com
