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Firestone Grand Prix of St. Pete begin track building project

By Lindsey Gimbert
Published  February 5, 2026 10:24am EST
Pinellas County
FOX 13 News

Press play above to watch the press conference live. It is expected to begin at 11 a.m.

    The Brief

      • The "First Block" track build event kicks off the track construction.
      • St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch will speak of the INDYCAR race happening this weekend.
      • The 22nd annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is a race event held during Florida's spring break season.

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will kick off Thursday with the building of the track.

    What we know:

    St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch, the co-owners of the race, and president and CEO of Visit St. Pete—Clearwater will speak at the "First Block" track building event. The 22nd annual Firestone Grand Prix is an event held every spring season. Traditionally, St. Pete is the site of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season-opening race, offering a festive atmosphere with the downtown location.

     The temporary circuit is a 1.8-mile, 14-turn configuration that uses the streets circling Pioneer Park, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, The Dali Museum and extends onto the runway at Albert Whitted Airport. 

    What's next:

    The 2026 Firestone Grand Prix airs live on national FOX broadcast on March 1.

    The Source: This article was written using a press release from the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. 

    Pinellas CountyFirestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg