The NTT IndyCar Series is heading down to Nashville for another weekend of high-speed drama. The Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix will take place on the weekend of July 18–19, returning to the speedway for a mid-summer showdown. With the championship battle heating up, Nashville holds a critical spot in the season. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the green flag.
From downtown Nashville to the Superspeedway
Since its return to the calendar in 2021, the Music City Grand Prix has been held around the bumpy streets of downtown Nashville. Because of construction and logistics, the event was moved to the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tennessee.
The Superspeedway is a 1.33-mile, concrete D-shaped oval. Unlike asphalt tracks, the concrete surface offers significantly different grip characteristics and can be notoriously harsh on tires. Combined with the 2026 event being a 400-mile race, the conditions make strategy, fueling, and driver stamina crucial for a positive outcome. This year’s winner, in true Nashville racing tradition, will walk away with a custom, hand-painted Gibson Les Paul guitar.
Last Time Out: O’Ward wins and silly season unfolds
The series arrives in Nashville fresh off a thrilling road-course battle at the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio.
Pato O’Ward put on an outstanding performance, executing a brilliant strategy and successfully holding off a charging Christian Lundgaard. The duo secured a one-two finish, giving a massive push to the momentum at McLaren. At the same time, the team officially announced that both Lundgaard and Siegel won’t retain their seats for next year. 2026 Indy500 winner Felix Rosenqvist and multiple Indycar champion Scott Dixon will join O’Ward in Papaya.
Stories from the Paddock heading to Nashville
- Josef Newgarden’s homecoming: Tennessee native Josef Newgarden is the defending race winner at this event, and arguably the one to watch this weekend. Coming off some strong oval performances this year despite fighting an injury, Newgarden and his Team Penske crew will be on everyone’s radar in Nashville.
- Alex Palou continues to do what he does best: rack up top-fives and protect his championship lead. Despite a shaky weekend in Mid-Ohio, Palou is still tightly holding onto the top spot in the standings, followed by Kyle Kirkwood, 56 points behind.
- Rumours and moves continue shaking up the paddock: after the Arrow McLaren announcement, Lundgaard is the most sought-after by both midfield and top teams. Meyer Shank Racing in particular has had a series of names linked to their second seat, after confirming Marcus Armstrong for the 2027 season onwards.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday, July 18
Practice 1, 10AM ET
Qualifying, 3:00PM ET
Final Practice, 6:00PM ET
Sunday, July 19
Borchetta Bourbon Music City GP, 5:30PM ET
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