Testing Kicks Into Overdrive Next Week as Season Approaches

Updated Feb. 13, 2026 7:16 p.m. ET

INDYCAR

As the calendar has turned to February, the arrival of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season is getting real as teams prepare for two major preseason tests in the next two weeks.

Ten teams are heading to Florida for a private team test Monday, Feb. 9 and Tuesday, Feb. 10 at Sebring International Raceway, with as many as 24 drivers expected to turn laps. The 1.67-mile version of the road course is an ideal tuneup for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 1 (noon, FOX, FOX One, FOX Sports app, FOX Deportes, INDYCAR Radio Network), as its bumps and changing surface types mirror that of many temporary street circuits like the St. Petersburg layout.

Teams will be divided into two groups during both days of the test. The first group will turn laps in the morning and the second in the afternoon, with the groups being flipped for the second day of testing.

Preparations will continue the following week as the first of two NTT INDYCAR SERIES Open Tests this season takes place Tuesday, Feb. 17 and Wednesday, Feb. 18 with the Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway.

SEE: Unser INDYCAR Open Test Entry List

All teams and drivers are expected to turn laps on the 1.022-mile oval, which returns to the series schedule for the first time since 2018 with the Good Ranchers 250 on Saturday, March 7 during an exciting doubleheader weekend with NASCAR at the track.

Testing at Phoenix will take place from 2-7 p.m. ET Feb. 17 and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ET and 3:30-6:30 p.m. ET Feb. 18.

The Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway will only be open to fans on Feb. 18. Access is free and will include an autograph session from 12:45-1:15 p.m. MT for the first 300 fans to visit the Phoenix Raceway display in the Midway.

Live timing and scoring from both days of the Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway will be provided on INDYCAR.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. Fans unable to attend the test also can follow along on INDYCAR social channels.