IndyCar puts on a Phoenix race to celebrate after eight years away

Having been here for IndyCar’s last stint at Phoenix Raceway from 2016-2018, it looked like there were more fans in the grandstands at today’s Good Ranchers 250 – the opener for the first NASCAR/IndyCar crossover event on an oval – than at the last three IndyCar visits combined.

Leaving the race in 2026, the overwhelming memory will be of an instant classic produced by IndyCar drivers old and new.

The big crowd witnessed one hell of a show as more than 500 passes were recorded during the 250-lapper around the oval that IndyCar made famous back in the 1960s. Penske dominated early, then ECR, then Andretti Global, and in the end, Josef Newgarden came back around and snookered the field with a ballsy stop to take another set of fresh Firestone tires to try and chase down the leaders, who stayed out during the last caution. It worked, as the two-time Indy 500 winner ripped past Andretti’s Kyle Kirkwood with eight laps to go.

It was a gamble, and Newgarden was as surprised as anyone after capturing the 33rd victory of his career.

“I didn’t think we were going to win today, to be honest,” he said. His surprise matched that of many drivers who privately feared the series’ return to Phoenix after eight years away would be a pass-free snoozer.

The end result proved IndyCar, with the unique power and downforce package it chose for its first time back at the track in nearly a decade, and the tire compound developed by Firestone were just what drivers needed to make a statement for the open-wheel series in front of a stock car crowd.

“I just think a great opportunity to have the type of race we had today,” Newgarden added. “I really was hoping we'd have a good show. I think we produced what we expect from the IndyCar Series. I hope there was a lot of people that have maybe not seen an IndyCar race in a while that are going to leave here and go, ‘Hey, I should give that another look.’”

Although losing out late, Kirkwood gave the Andretti team a needed boost. Gavin Baker/Getty Images

Kirkwood finished second on the day after leading 47 laps in his Andretti Global entry and had nothing but praise for the work put in by IndyCar and Firestone.

“Honestly, why would you change anything?” he said. “The racing was phenomenal. Yeah, I think coming back here, they don't touch a single thing.”

Prior to the start, an IndyCar official told RACER the series was asked to return in 2027, which seems more than warranted after the pass-happy show and last-minute lead change authored by Newgarden made the race a huge hit for those at the venue.

“Both should complement each other,” Newgarden said of wanting more crossovers with NASCAR. “If you're a motorsport fan, you're just getting way more value for your weekend to have the top two motorsport championships together on the same weekend. I don't see why we can't do a little more of this. I think it's good for everybody.”

For the new championship leader, who won the last Phoenix IndyCar race in 2018, the hearty welcome and positive response from the fans only added to his achievement.

“Very fun to see the crowd,” Newgarden added. “Everyone seemed open and welcoming in a good way. I saw motorsports fans here this weekend that seemed excited to watch racing. We put on a good show. I hope the Cup guys put on a good show tomorrow. Let's see if we can do more of it in the future.”