Gruden and GP of St. Petersburg: A Grand Honor

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The voice that once led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Super Bowl glory is coming to the streets of St. Petersburg. Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden has been named Grand Marshal of the 22nd annual Firestone GP of St. Petersburg, the season-opening race of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES on Sunday, March 1.

The Super Bowl XXXVII-winning coach and current Barstool Sports personality will take center stage in pre-race festivities, deliver the command for drivers to start their engines, and ride in the parade car ahead of the 25-car field on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn downtown street circuit.

“This will be my first ever Grand Prix in St. Petersburg on Sunday,” Gruden said. “Can’t wait to see these great drivers in action and make some new friends. Looking forward to an amazing event!”

Gruden, who guided the Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl title in 2003 as the youngest head coach ever to win an NFL championship, brings a championship pedigree and unmistakable energy to the role. Over his 15-year coaching career with the Buccaneers and Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, he compiled 117 wins, five division titles, and three conference championship appearances. He was inducted into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor in 2017 and later spent nearly a decade as Monday Night Football color analyst for ESPN before joining Barstool Sports in 2024, where he stars on The Pro Football Football Show and Gruden’s QB Class.

“We are excited to announce Jon Gruden as the grand marshal of the Firestone GP of St. Petersburg,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions. “Coach Gruden will no doubt give a great command for IndyCar drivers to start their engines for the first time to kick off the 2026 season. He is a revered sports figure in the Tampa Bay community, guiding the Buccaneers to its first Super Bowl trophy in 2003. We greatly appreciate him wanting to join us on Sunday.”

Fans wander the pitlane ahead of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

The Firestone GP of St. Petersburg headlines a full weekend of high-speed action along the picturesque downtown waterfront. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES opens its season in St. Pete for the 16th time with a 100-lap showdown on Sunday. Saturday’s schedule features the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series making its street-racing debut in the OnlyBulls Green Flag 150, while INDY NXT by Firestone, USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire, and the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin will also battle through the tight downtown corners.

Festivities begin Thursday, Feb. 26, with two free, public community events at North Straub Park. The INDYCAR Party in the Park (4–7 p.m. ET) offers driver appearances, live music, giveaways, food trucks, and up-close access to race cars from all series. At 5 p.m. ET, runners and walkers can take on the 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track, starting and finishing on Bayshore Drive NE. Registration is open now at gpstpete5k.com (while supplies last), with all proceeds benefiting the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg.

Tickets for the three-day weekend and single-day grandstand and general admission are on sale now, starting as low as $30. For full schedule, pricing, and festival details, visit gpstpete.com. Stay connected on social media @gpstpete and #FirestoneGP, and join the E-Club for exclusive news and offers.

With the unmistakable Gruden growl ready to fire up the field, the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season is set to launch in unforgettable fashion under the Florida sun.