Testing, Testing: A Look at Different Types of INDYCAR Test Sessions

At one point, motorsports testing was a free-for-all where teams could test whenever and wherever they wanted.

Today, sanctioning bodies have largely saved teams from themselves. Rather than spending massive sums crisscrossing the country to pound the pavement, strict rules dictate when and how teams may test.

Even so, testing remains a hidden gem. Each time a car hits the track, it’s more than just laps in circles. Every test run is a pressure-packed learning exercise, with valuable data gathered on every lap.

Firestone Firehawk Racing Tires are limited to save teams on cost, so teams must carefully balance a full day of planning with maximizing each run. Drivers must be precise in their execution, because even small mistakes can skew the data. That’s why teams are selective about which testing programs they enter.

Per rule, each NTT INDYCAR SERIES team that fields one or more cars in at least 12 races per season is allotted two test days. Those days may be used from the day after the season finale through the next season finale. For example, the current testing window opened Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026.

In addition, the series provides many other test days, divided into several categories.

The most straightforward is an Open Test -- an NTT INDYCAR SERIES sanctioned test open to all teams. Think of it as a glorified practice day, complete with public timing and scoring. Two Open Tests are scheduled for 2026: Phoenix Raceway (Feb. 17-18) and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval (April 28-29).

Another category is rookie testing, which is required before competing in the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Before a driver completes their Indy 500 oval test, they must first complete a speedway oval test.

Dennis Hauger, Caio Collet and Mick Schumacher (photo, top) are the current rookies on the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES entry list. Hauger and Collet completed their oval test Nov. 6 at Nashville Superspeedway, while Schumacher is scheduled to test next month on the Homestead-Miami Speedway oval.

Teams that field a rookie driver for at least 12 races also receive two additional test days, which may only be used by the eligible rookie. Hauger used one of those days Oct. 1 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Collet and Schumacher each still have two available.

All teams with at least one full-time entry are also allowed one driver evaluation test day. Eligible drivers must have 10 or fewer INDYCAR SERIES starts or must not have competed in an NTT INDYCAR SERIES event within the previous 24 months. Additionally, a driver may participate in only one evaluation test day per testing season.

Teams also may use a test day to evaluate a current or former INDY NXT by Firestone driver. Participation in an INDY NXT test does not prevent a driver from also taking part in an evaluation test. A recent example is Lochie Hughes, who tested for Andretti Global on Oct. 13 on the 2.439-mile, 14-turn Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Hughes remains eligible for one additional INDYCAR SERIES evaluation test.

Another example is Collet with AJ Foyt Racing. The team used both an evaluation day and an INDY NXT test for Collet on Oct. 1 at Mid-Ohio and Oct. 13 at the IMS road course.

Additionally, teams that field both a full-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES entry and a full-season INDY NXT by Firestone entry earn an extra team test day. This test day becomes available once the INDY NXT team has competed in its fifth race. The INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT entries must be under the same entrant membership and license.

Andretti Global, Chip Ganassi Racing and Juncos Hollinger Racing are eligible for this additional test day. One example was Chip Ganassi Racing’s test at Nashville Superspeedway last season ahead of the then season finale.

The final category involves Firestone manufacturer tests, which include a minimum of two cars per test. Each team may participate in a maximum of two Firestone tire tests.

As an example, Firestone conducted a pair of two-car tests at Phoenix Raceway this offseason with four different teams. The first took place on Nov. 6-7 with Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) and Alexander Rossi (Ed Carpenter Racing, photo, above). Another test was scheduled last week at Phoenix with Will Power (Andretti Global) and Josef Newgarden (Team Penske).