NASCAR makes history as the Truck Series street race arrives in St. Petersburg, with open-wheel legends Dario Franchitti and James Hinchcliffe trading their usual cars for stock trucks. This landmark event brings together top talent from both IndyCar and NASCAR, set to thrill fans on Saturday’s debut of this unique urban race.
IndyCar Veterans Step Into NASCAR Trucks for Historic Event
For the first time ever, the NASCAR Truck Series takes over the streets of St. Petersburg, transforming the well-known Indy circuit into an arena for fender-to-fender stock truck competition. This OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 is not only the third race in the 2026 season, but it is also the first street course the series has tackled, drawing global attention. The scene is set with NASCAR trucks roaring through confined, challenging corners lined with unforgiving concrete barriers, replacing the usual open road course runoff areas.
The excitement is heightened even further by the addition of IndyCar elite. Dario Franchitti, the Scottish four-time champion and triple Indianapolis 500 winner, will take on the No. 1 Toyota for TRICON Garage. Known for his skill on intricate circuits, Franchitti’s entry adds legitimacy and unpredictability to the occasion. Beside him, Canadian star James Hinchcliffe, celebrated for his charisma and aggressive driving in open-wheel races, will get behind the wheel of the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports—presenting him with new obstacles as he adapts to hefty stock trucks.
A Full Field Tackles the Demanding St. Pete Circuit
This 80-lap contest is the opening chapter of a two-part street racing experiment for NASCAR’s trucks in 2026, with a follow-up race scheduled later at Naval Base Coronado. At St. Pete, 36 talented drivers will compete in an event where errors prove fatal to race chances. The field includes not just Franchitti and Hinchcliffe but also experienced drivers like Grant Enfinger, Ben Rhodes, and Ty Majeski, well-accustomed to the high stakes of the series. Rising stars Chandler Smith and Christian Eckes add youthful energy and ambition, promising a competitive atmosphere throughout the grid.
Joining the headliners is Colin Braun, a seasoned sports car and open-wheel competitor, who brings his experience to Kaulig Racing‘s No. 25 RAM. Braun’s ability to adapt quickly might grant him an edge in a race where patience and strategy are just as essential as raw speed. As always, regulars—including those from teams like Chevrolet, Toyota, and Ford—provide fierce competition and refuse to cede the spotlight to newcomers.
Absent Faces and New Opportunities
One notable absence this weekend is last race winner Kyle Busch, who claimed victory at EchoPark Speedway but will sit out St. Petersburg. His victorious truck, however, will still make a showing with Connor Mosack taking over. Mosack’s opportunity to drive a proven winner puts him and his team in the thick of contention despite Busch’s absence.
A Unique Challenge for All Competitors
The St. Petersburg street course, with its 1.8-mile, 14-turn configuration, represents a drastic departure from traditional NASCAR racing. Concrete walls leave room for neither error nor hesitation, turning every lap into a test of focus and precision. Restarts are expected to be chaotic, and drivers must rely on aggressive braking and intelligent strategy. This layout levels the playing field, rewarding both deft open-wheel skills and the grit typical of full-time Truck Series racers. The race’s style clash paves the way for surprises, with veterans, newcomers, and crossover drivers all capable of victory.
A Race Poised to Reshape Perceptions
This inaugural Truck Series street race not only expands NASCAR’s reach but also celebrates racing’s diversity by uniting different driving backgrounds on new turf. Fans can expect spectacle, with spectacle, with Franchitti’s technical expertise, Hinchcliffe’s daring, and the determination of NASCAR regulars colliding in dramatic fashion. The intensity and unpredictability that define street racing promise that, by the time the checkered flag falls, St. Petersburg’s streets will have witnessed a truly unforgettable event.
The outcome will hinge on adaptability under pressure, decision-making, and a balance of patience with aggression. Whether it’s one of the open-wheel champions seizing the day or a grizzled Truck Series veteran rising to defend familiar turf, one thing is certain: this new chapter at St. Pete signals a bold new direction for both the racers and the series as a whole.
There are 36 drivers on the preliminary entry list for Saturday's NASCAR Truck Series event at @GPSTPETE.
NOTABLES: 1-Franchitti, 2-Fartuch, 4-Maier, 5-Andretti, 7-TBA, 22-Lee, 25-Braun, 42-Reif, 45-Lewis, 56-Hill, 62-Slimp, 69-White, 76-Nicholson, 77-Hinchcliffe#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/lay5NgEbtH
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) February 23, 2026
