IndyCar confirms 15-round 2027 Indy NXT schedule

IndyCar has announced a 15-race schedule for the 2027 Indy NXT by Firestone season. The schedule features four doubleheaders and competition across 11 venues as the next generation of open-wheel racing stars continues its pursuit of driving in the NTT IndyCar Series.

In 2026, Indy NXT season featured a record-tying 10 race winners, including a record-tying seven first-time victors. The season also featured the most passes on record in series history, with on-track passing records broken at nine tracks. Growth throughout the paddock resulted in an average of 24 starters per race in 2026 – the most in 17 years.

Television viewership on FOX Sports’ FS1 and FS2 increased 14 percent over the previous season. FOX Sports will continue to provide a televised platform for every race in 2027.

“As we have seen in the NTT IndyCar Series, Indy NXT by Firestone is in the midst of immense growth both on and off the track,” IndyCar President Doug Boles said. “With 10 different race winners last season, it is clear that the competition is as fierce as ever as drivers look to move up to the IndyCar Series.

“With our partners at FOX Sports, the exposure and value of IndyNXT has clearly reached new heights. We know the 2027 schedule will provide another intense test for drivers and teams and produce a deserving champion to celebrate at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.”

The season opens Sunday, March 7, on the streets of St. Petersburg for the 17th time and sixth consecutive year.

In addition to the race schedule, opportunities for driver and team development continue with a series of group and open tests in 2027. The first of two preseason NXT group tests took place Monday at Barber Motorsports Park, with an additional group test scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 27-28 at Sebring International Raceway.

Additional in-season group tests are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, April 28-29 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Monday, Aug. 2 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Laguna Seca test follows the series’ race at Portland International Raceway two days earlier.

INDY NXT oval open tests are scheduled for Thursday, April 22 at World Wide Technology Raceway and Thursday, June 17 at Milwaukee Mile, giving teams opportunities to fine-tune their cars ahead of oval racing in 2027.

After this week’s announcement from Dale Coyne Racing that Nikita Johnson has joined its IndyCar team for 2027, the last four Indy NXT champions have full-time rides in North America’s premier open-wheel racing series next year. In 2026, 15 drivers with Indy NXT experience competed full time in the IndyCar Series, and 20 drivers with previous NXT experience competed in the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500.

“Indy NXT by Firestone has been an ideal home for developing drivers and team personnel, and the diligent work from all of our stakeholders has produced meaningful results,” series director Kirk Dooley said. “Once again, we have strategically added a testing schedule to an already impressive line-up of race weekends that will continue to provide an exemplary proving ground for IndyCar’s next generation of stars. Combined with record paddock growth and exposure, 2027 is shaping up to be another exhilarating season.”

2027 Indy NXT by Firestone schedule: