Grand Prix IndyCar Racing Takes Over Downtown St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The downtown waterfront has been transformed into a 1.8-mile race course this weekend as the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg returns to the city.

In its 21st year, the IndyCar Series season opener, presented by RP Funding, takes place through Sunday on a 14-turn waterfront circuit that includes a combination of adjacent downtown streets circling Pioneer Park, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, and The Dali Museum, and extending onto the runways at Albert Whitted Airport.

Races take place on Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 7:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Tickets to view the races range from $30 to $165.

Those attending the races or driving downtown for any reason should plan ahead for road closures, heavy traffic and limited parking, St. Petersburg police wrote in a Facebook post.

Attendees are also encouraged to report suspicious activity to police by calling 727-893-7780 or texting “SPPD” and the tip to Tip411.