IndyCar News: Sunshine and Excitement Kick Off 2026 INDYCAR Season in St. Petersburg
Good morning from the vibrant streets of St. Petersburg, where the 2026 NTT INDYCAR Series is set to launch into action. The early fog has cleared, giving way to bright sunshine and comfortable mid-70s temperatures. However, there’s a 50% chance of rain this afternoon, which could add an unpredictable twist to the day’s activities.
Today’s schedule for the INDYCAR teams is relatively light, with the first practice session slated to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET. Drivers and crews will use this time to shake off the offseason rust on the challenging 1.8-mile street circuit ahead of the Firestone Grand Prix.
Dario Franchitti Emerges from Retirement for NASCAR Truck Series Run
In a surprising turn of events, four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti is stepping back into the cockpit. The Scottish racing icon will make a one-off appearance this weekend, piloting the No. 1 Toyota for TRICON Garage in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Saturday.
Franchitti’s last competitive outing ended abruptly following a devastating crash on the final lap of the 2013 Shell-Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston. The incident left him with severe injuries, including a concussion, two spinal fractures, and a broken right ankle. Upon returning to Indianapolis, medical experts warned that continuing to race could lead to permanent paralysis. Franchitti also dealt with lingering effects such as memory loss and impaired decision-making, ultimately leading to his retirement.
This morning, Franchitti met with the media to share his thoughts on this unexpected return to racing at St. Pete.
“I felt a bit different coming to the track this morning from my job at Ganassi, where all I have to do is tell these guys what they’re doing wrong,” Franchitti said. “Now I have to do it right myself.
“It’s exciting. It’s a very different feeling. It’s nice to experience it again. It’s nice to be sitting there last night, checking out all the data, looking at everything, preparing for the day. Getting here this morning—all that stuff. I was a bit late with the traffic.
“Yeah, it will be very interesting to see how today goes. I have no real expectations. I think there’s a fair chance of rain, which could throw a bit of a spanner in the works. But we’ll see.”
The Truck Series race is scheduled for noon ET on Saturday, promising a thrilling addition to the weekend’s motorsport festivities.
Shell Starship Returns to NTT INDYCAR SERIES for 2026 Season
Shell and INDYCAR announced Feb. 27 that Shell Starship will return to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES transportation fleet for the 2026 season, continuing its role as a visible demonstration of advanced, lower-emissions freight technology operating in a motorsports series.
Shell Starship, powered by a Cummins X15NTM natural gas engine and lubricated with Shell Rotella® natural gas engine oil, will be the transport vehicle for the INDYCAR Administrative Trailer, traveling to nearly every race on the 2026 calendar.
“Shell Starship is more than a concept; it’s a working demonstration of what’s possible when advanced vehicle design, efficient powertrains and renewable fuels come together,” said Thomas Mueller, general manager of Commercial Road Transport at Shell. “Returning to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2026 allows us to continue learning in real-world conditions while supporting a partner that shares our ambition to advance more sustainable mobility solutions.”
The return builds on a successful debut season in 2025, when Shell Starship joined the series following the Indianapolis 500 and became the first natural gas-powered Class 8 truck to operate within a national racing series fleet in North America. For the 2026 season, the anticipated plans for Starship are to increase the use of renewable natural gas (RNG) compared to the 2025 season.
“INDYCAR is continuously evaluating ways to grow on and off the track – including how we move people and equipment,” INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said. “The Shell Starship program helps us assess advanced vehicle technologies and renewable fuel solutions in a meaningful way and support our sustainability goals, demonstrating solutions that can scale beyond racing. Judging by how many times Shell Starship is photographed in the paddock, it is clear our fans enjoy the program, as well.”
In addition to its logistics role, Shell Starship will have multiple marquee moments throughout the 2026 season, including:
- Leading the truck parade at the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington
- Participating in the 500 Festival Parade ahead of the Indianapolis 500
- A feature in INDYCAR video game titles for console and PC, produced by iRacing Studios
Shell Starship’s return builds on the broader collaboration between Shell and INDYCAR, including Shell’s role as Official Fuel of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the introduction of 100% renewable race fuel in 2023. By returning to INDYCAR in 2026, Shell Starship continues to demonstrate how advanced vehicle design, efficient powertrains and renewable fuels can support lower-carbon, real-world logistics, on race weekends and beyond.