Today’s question: What is your favorite aspect of the full 2027 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule that was released Oct. 23?
Curt Cavin: For me, the highlight of the 2026 schedule was the bang-bang-bang opening, and I’m happy to see that cadence repeated. For years, INDYCAR was a slow starter, with the 2024 season a perfect example: Six weeks between the first and second points-paying races. This year’s return to Phoenix Raceway (photo, top) made the early part of the schedule even better as the oval has long been my second-favorite track in series history (behind Indianapolis Motor Speedway, of course). This year’s schedule was rewarded with another stellar event in St. Petersburg, a thrilling return to Phoenix and a home-run debut in Arlington, Texas. I look for another great start to next season, and then it’s only a brief break until the fourth race (at Barber Motorsports Park). That’s hitting ‘em early.
Eric Smith: INDYCAR President Doug Boles talked Friday about how both drivers and teams are excited about the every-other-week race cadence beginning with the Fourth of July race at Mid-Ohio. While the final two race weekends are back-to-back, the stretch between Mid-Ohio and Milwaukee provides what Boles described as a great opportunity for the series to build momentum and promote each event. I like that approach. The breaks aren’t too long, but they provide enough time to spotlight the drivers and upcoming races while keeping everyone in the paddock fresh.
Arni Sribhen: The standout element of the full 2027 schedule is the historic addition of the inaugural INDYCAR Grand Prix of Barcelona at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on July 18. This milestone event brings the NTT INDYCAR SERIES across the Atlantic for its first international race outside of North America since 2013, and securing a long-term agreement with the iconic Barcelona circuit gives American open-wheel racing a major global platform. Fan have been clamoring for INDYCAR get away from its Midwestern roots, and this race certainly does it.
Paul Kelly: While disappointed to lose an oval in Nashville, I still think the balance of the schedule needs to be praised. The 2027 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule is still the most varied, challenging lineup of tracks in global motorsport, with seven road-course races, five street-course races and five oval races. That mix tests drivers like no other series on Earth, especially in cars without power steering. I also like the cadence of the second half of the 2027 schedule much better than this year’s lineup. There are only two instances of consecutive race weekends after World Wide Technology Raceway (photo, above) on June 13, with no gaps larger than one off weekend. That’s easy for fans to follow, will create better racing and be easier on the crews than the final stretch of this season, when six races over five consecutive weekends left teams on fumes.
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