IndyCar to Feature Five Oval Races in 2027 Season

The 2027 IndyCar calendar will include five oval races hosted across four different venues in the United States.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Motorsports

IndyCar to Feature Five Oval Races in 2027 Season

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Should major racing series prioritize keeping historic track styles on their annual schedules?

The 2027 IndyCar Series schedule features five oval races across four venues, including a doubleheader event at The Milwaukee Mile. This schedule complements the series' existing 12 road and street racing events.

Why it matters

IndyCar leadership views oval racing as a fundamental historical pillar of the series that is essential for maintaining the sport's diversity. The organization intends to build on this foundation by adding more oval venues to the schedule starting in 2028.

The 2027 calendar includes five oval races held at four distinct tracks, while the series maintains 12 road and street circuit events. The Milwaukee Mile is scheduled to host a doubleheader as part of this broader oval racing expansion.

The players

IndyCar

This is the premier open-wheel racing sanctioning body in the United States.

Scott Borchetta

He is an event promoter who is currently spearheading the project to restore the downtown Nashville Grand Prix.

The details

The 2027 oval schedule includes stops at Phoenix Raceway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, World Wide Technology Raceway, and The Milwaukee Mile. Meanwhile, event promoter Scott Borchetta is currently leading an effort to revive the downtown Nashville Grand Prix street race following the removal of Nashville Superspeedway from the schedule.

1996-2004: The Indy Racing League utilized an all-oval race calendar.
2005: The series rebranded to IndyCar and incorporated road and street racing.
July 2026: Nashville Superspeedway was dropped from the official race schedule.
Early March 2027: The series will hold an oval race at Phoenix Raceway.
2028 and beyond: IndyCar aims to add additional oval venues to the series.

Season Trajectory

This schedule highlights a strategic return to the series' roots after the shift away from the Indy Racing League's all-oval calendar that began in 2005. By increasing the frequency of oval events, organizers are working to re-establish the traditional diversity of the sport's venues.

The return to five oval races shifts the competitive balance of the 2027 season by placing a higher premium on high-speed track management compared to road course versatility. Teams will need to adjust their engineering focus to prepare for the unique physical demands of these four specific oval venues.

The takeaway

The move to expand the oval schedule signals a long-term commitment from series leadership to preserve the multi-discipline history of American open-wheel racing. Fans should monitor future announcements for potential new venue additions that could further reshape the championship race.