| RACE NEWS & VIEWS |
| April 2026 News |
Copyright © 2026 IndySpeedway.com All Rights Reserved
04/10 - F2 Will Race in USA for First Time
04/28 - Indy 500 Test Day 1
04/29 - Indy 500 Test Day 2
04/28 - Indy 500 Test Day 1
04/29 - Indy 500 Test Day 2
| Article Index |
FORMULA 2
F2 Will Race in USA for First Time
Apr 10 - Formula 1 and Formula 2 were supposed
to race in the Middle East in April - an event in
Bahrain and another in Saudi Arabia. However,
the US-Iran war has made the area dangerous
and the FIA cancelled both events, leaving the
month of April empty of F1 or F2 races.
Formula 2 had no events planned for May, so they
have decided to join F1 at both of their two events
in May - Miami and Montreal. Both are street
races.
This will be the first time that Formula 2 has raced
in North America.
It was probable that IndyCar driver Colton Herta,
who joined F2 this year in his quest for an F1 seat,
would race in the Indy 500 this year. The
Montreal race is on the same day, so that
possibility is gone.
Tracking Herta's F2 Results
Andretti Global, whom Herta would have raced
for at Indy, says it will not add a 4th entry in the
Indianapolis 500 for any other driver.
F2 Will Race in USA for First Time
Apr 10 - Formula 1 and Formula 2 were supposed
to race in the Middle East in April - an event in
Bahrain and another in Saudi Arabia. However,
the US-Iran war has made the area dangerous
and the FIA cancelled both events, leaving the
month of April empty of F1 or F2 races.
Formula 2 had no events planned for May, so they
have decided to join F1 at both of their two events
in May - Miami and Montreal. Both are street
races.
This will be the first time that Formula 2 has raced
in North America.
It was probable that IndyCar driver Colton Herta,
who joined F2 this year in his quest for an F1 seat,
would race in the Indy 500 this year. The
Montreal race is on the same day, so that
possibility is gone.
Tracking Herta's F2 Results
Andretti Global, whom Herta would have raced
for at Indy, says it will not add a 4th entry in the
Indianapolis 500 for any other driver.
| Formula 2 Driver Colton Herta |
04/11 - The FCC put out a request for input on keeping sports on free Over-The-Air
(OTA) broadcasts. Many sports, such as NASCAR and the NFL, are on a slew of
different streaming services which causes both confusion and more costs to fans.
All IndyCar races are shown OTA on FOX and owner Roger Penske sent a Letter
to the FCC in support of OTA sports broadcasting.
(OTA) broadcasts. Many sports, such as NASCAR and the NFL, are on a slew of
different streaming services which causes both confusion and more costs to fans.
All IndyCar races are shown OTA on FOX and owner Roger Penske sent a Letter
to the FCC in support of OTA sports broadcasting.
04/21 - The new IndyCar Independent Officiating Body has chosen Scot Elkins as
Managing Director of Officiating. Elkins will oversee race control, technical inspection,
and provide officiating governance and management.
Managing Director of Officiating. Elkins will oversee race control, technical inspection,
and provide officiating governance and management.
04/27 - There are 25 full-time drivers in IndyCar, but the field for the Indianapolis 500
is 33. Today, the 8th additional driver was announced, bringing the entry list to 33.
Additional Drivers for the Indy 500
is 33. Today, the 8th additional driver was announced, bringing the entry list to 33.
Additional Drivers for the Indy 500
INDY 500 Test Day 1
Apr 28 - IndyCar arrived at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway today for open testing. It was cool and
cloudy, but soon the sun came out and it warmed
up to 66 degrees. Fans enjoyed the day in Turn 2.
The morning's two-hour session, which excluded
rookies and veterans doing a refresher program,
was led by Josef Newgarden, who had a best lap
of 223.415 mph.
After that, the excluded racers took to the track.
Rookies (Caio Collet, Dennis Hauger and Mick
Schumacher) passed the Rookie Orientation
Program so they will be able to participate next
month.
Veteran drivers who have not raced IndyCar
recently, had to take a refresher course. Jack
Harvey was fastest, ahead of Helio
Castroneves, Jacob Abel, Ed Carpenter and
Ryan Hunter-Reay.
Katherine Legge had mechanical problems and
was not able to get on track and take the
refresher.
After that, open practice continued for all until 6pm.
Other than Legge, the other 32 drivers entered for
the 110th Indy 500 put in laps.
Conor Daly, doing a one-off for Dreyer &
Reinbold Racing, was fastest of the day, at
225.394 mph.
The drivers return tomorrow for day two. The
action is streamed live over IndyCar's Youtube
channel.
Apr 28 - IndyCar arrived at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway today for open testing. It was cool and
cloudy, but soon the sun came out and it warmed
up to 66 degrees. Fans enjoyed the day in Turn 2.
The morning's two-hour session, which excluded
rookies and veterans doing a refresher program,
was led by Josef Newgarden, who had a best lap
of 223.415 mph.
After that, the excluded racers took to the track.
Rookies (Caio Collet, Dennis Hauger and Mick
Schumacher) passed the Rookie Orientation
Program so they will be able to participate next
month.
Veteran drivers who have not raced IndyCar
recently, had to take a refresher course. Jack
Harvey was fastest, ahead of Helio
Castroneves, Jacob Abel, Ed Carpenter and
Ryan Hunter-Reay.
Katherine Legge had mechanical problems and
was not able to get on track and take the
refresher.
After that, open practice continued for all until 6pm.
Other than Legge, the other 32 drivers entered for
the 110th Indy 500 put in laps.
Conor Daly, doing a one-off for Dreyer &
Reinbold Racing, was fastest of the day, at
225.394 mph.
The drivers return tomorrow for day two. The
action is streamed live over IndyCar's Youtube
channel.
| Conor Daly was quickest of the day. |
| Inside Josef Newgarden's IMS garage. |
All four of McLaren's cars had this strange livery,
each in a different color.
each in a different color.
IndyCar Test Day 2 at IMS
Apr 29 - Today was cooler, with temperatures in
the 50s this morning, climbing into the lower 60s.
1pm - The morning session ended with rookie
Caio Collet fastest, with an average lap speed of
226.381 mph.
Katherine Legge then got the track to herself for
an hour to start her Veteran Refresher, which
consists of the 2nd and 3rd phases of the Rookie
Orientation Program.
Phase 2 - Needs 15 laps at 210-215 mph.
Phase 3 - 15 laps at 215+ mph.
Laps do not have to be consecutive.
She completed phase 2 and could now participate
in the upcoming free practice and finish phase 3.
2:21p - Session 2 began.
3:30pm - Jack Harvey's engine blew up and white
smoke poured out, as drivers behind him were
blinded. Harvey's car was on fire as he entered
pit lane. No one crashed or were hurt.
Legge finished phase 3.
4pm - A change over occurred so that drivers
could practice Indy 500 pit stops. The drivers
could now pit off of Turn 4 and the pit lane speed
markers were changed to reflect race day. All
cars came out to practice.
5pm - The afternoon session ended with Josef
Newgarden fastest, with an average lap speed of
226.381 mph.
Apr 29 - Today was cooler, with temperatures in
the 50s this morning, climbing into the lower 60s.
1pm - The morning session ended with rookie
Caio Collet fastest, with an average lap speed of
226.381 mph.
Katherine Legge then got the track to herself for
an hour to start her Veteran Refresher, which
consists of the 2nd and 3rd phases of the Rookie
Orientation Program.
Phase 2 - Needs 15 laps at 210-215 mph.
Phase 3 - 15 laps at 215+ mph.
Laps do not have to be consecutive.
She completed phase 2 and could now participate
in the upcoming free practice and finish phase 3.
2:21p - Session 2 began.
3:30pm - Jack Harvey's engine blew up and white
smoke poured out, as drivers behind him were
blinded. Harvey's car was on fire as he entered
pit lane. No one crashed or were hurt.
Legge finished phase 3.
4pm - A change over occurred so that drivers
could practice Indy 500 pit stops. The drivers
could now pit off of Turn 4 and the pit lane speed
markers were changed to reflect race day. All
cars came out to practice.
5pm - The afternoon session ended with Josef
Newgarden fastest, with an average lap speed of
226.381 mph.
| Caio Collet |
| Katherine Legge |
| Josef Newgarden - Team Penske Chevrolet |
| Jack Harvey's Dreyer & Reinbold Chevrolet |
| Pato O'Ward - McLaren Pit Bike |