2026 INDYCAR Season Ends at Laguna Seca

Summary

The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES concludes at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey on Sept. 6. Alex Palou secured his fifth championship at the Milwaukee Mile on Aug. 30, making him the first driver in series history to win five titles in six years. Pato O’Ward is in contention for top positions after sweeping the Milwaukee doubleheader. The race begins at 3 p.m. ET and is scheduled for 95 laps. Coverage is available on FOX, FOX One, and online.

Our Reading

This one felt recognizable early.

Palou’s title was already sealed, but the final race still had its own momentum.

O’Ward came in with a sweep, but the story was already written.

The Corkscrew still turned the same way it always has.

Championships are won early, but the finish line still matters.

Author: Evan Null

2026 INDYCAR Season Ends at Laguna Seca

The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES will conclude at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey on Sunday, Sept. 6. The race is the 17th and final event of the season, with coverage starting at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX One. The event has been held at the 2.238-mile road course since 1957 and features 11 turns, including the famous Corkscrew.

Alex Palou secured his fifth NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship at the Milwaukee Mile on Aug. 30, becoming the first driver in series history to win five titles in six years. He is also the youngest to reach five titles. Pato O’Ward, who swept the Milwaukee doubleheader, is in contention for the remaining top championship positions.

The Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey is scheduled for 95 laps and approximately 213 miles. The race will be called by Will Buxton on FOX, with Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe as analysts. Georgia Henneberry, Kevin Lee, and Jack Harvey will report from pit road.

Fans can stream the race, practice, and qualifying live on FOX One, FOXSports.com, and the FOX Sports App. The event will also be available on the FOX Sports website and app. Coverage is available for three days free on FOX One.

Palou won the 2025 Java House Grand Prix of Monterey at Laguna Seca on July 27, 2025. O’Ward won the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 on Aug. 30, sweeping both Milwaukee Mile races that weekend. The most recently completed NTT INDYCAR SERIES race was covered in full highlights.

Palou’s Historic Fifth Title

Alex Palou clinched his fifth NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship at the Milwaukee Mile on Aug. 30, marking his fourth consecutive title. He is the first driver in series history to win five championships in six years and the youngest to reach five titles. The achievement sets a new standard in the sport, with Palou’s dominance spanning multiple seasons.

The Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey is the final race of the 2026 season and will be the 17th and last event on the schedule. Despite Palou’s title already being secured, the race still carries significance for the rest of the field, particularly for drivers like Pato O’Ward, who is in the fight for top positions.

O’Ward’s sweep of the Milwaukee doubleheader has positioned him as a strong contender for the remaining championship spots. His performance at the Milwaukee Mile has given him momentum heading into the final race at Laguna Seca, where he will look to make a final push.

The race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is scheduled for 95 laps and approximately 213 miles. The 2.238-mile road course has been a staple of the series since 1957 and features 11 turns, including the iconic Corkscrew. The track has hosted some of the most memorable races in INDYCAR history.

Palou’s victory at the 2025 Java House Grand Prix of Monterey at Laguna Seca showed his ability to perform on the track. O’Ward’s recent success at the Milwaukee Mile has given him a strong chance to close the season on a high note, even though the championship is already decided.

O’Ward’s Momentum and the Final Race

Pato O’Ward enters the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey with momentum after sweeping the Milwaukee doubleheader. His performance at the Milwaukee Mile on Aug. 30 made him the first INDYCAR driver to win two races in one day since 1981. O’Ward’s success has put him in a strong position for the remaining championship spots, even though the title is already secured by Alex Palou.

The final race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is the 17th and last event of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The race is scheduled for 95 laps and approximately 213 miles, with the green flag set for 3 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the event on FOX, FOX One, and online through FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App.

O’Ward’s sweep of the Milwaukee races has given him a strong chance to finish the season on a high note. His performance at the Milwaukee Mile has been a key factor in his push for the remaining top positions, and he will look to carry that momentum into the final race at Laguna Seca.

The Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey has been a key event in the series, with past races featuring some of the most competitive and memorable moments. The track’s unique layout and challenging turns have made it a favorite among drivers and fans alike.

Race Coverage and Broadcast Details

The Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey will be broadcast on FOX and FOX One, with coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 6. The green flag is scheduled for approximately 3 p.m. ET, and the race will be called by Will Buxton, with Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe as analysts. Georgia Henneberry, Kevin Lee, and Jack Harvey will report from pit road.

Fans can stream the race, practice, and qualifying live on FOX One, FOXSports.com, and the FOX Sports App. The event will be available for three days free on FOX One, making it accessible to a wide audience. Coverage will also be available on the FOX Sports website and app.

The race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is the 17th and final event of the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The 2.238-mile road course has been a staple of the series since 1957 and features 11 turns, including the famous Corkscrew. The track has hosted some of the most exciting races in the history of the sport.

The Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey is the final race of the 2026 season and will be the 17th and last event on the schedule. The race is scheduled for 95 laps and approximately 213 miles, with the green flag set for 3 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the event on FOX, FOX One, and online through FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App.

Historical Context and Fan Expectations

The Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey has been a key event in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, with past races featuring some of the most competitive and memorable moments. The track at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has been a staple of the series since 1957 and is known for its challenging layout and iconic turns, including the Corkscrew.

Alex Palou’s fifth championship and fourth consecutive title have set a new standard in the sport. His dominance over the past six years has made him a household name, and his success has raised the bar for other drivers. Palou’s ability to perform under pressure has made him a fan favorite and a key figure in the series.

Pato O’Ward’s recent sweep of the Milwaukee doubleheader has put him in a strong position for the remaining championship spots. His performance at the Milwaukee Mile has been a key factor in his push for the top positions, and he will look to carry that momentum into the final race at Laguna Seca.

Despite the championship being decided, the final race still holds significance for the rest of the field. Drivers like O’Ward will look to make a final push for the remaining positions, adding an extra layer of competition to the season finale. The event is expected to draw a large audience, as fans look forward to the final showdown of the 2026 season.