The roar of IndyCars will soon return to the desert as IndyCar prepares to race at the one-mile Phoenix Raceway oval once again. On a crisp November day, two familiar faces, six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi, were back on the asphalt for a crucial two-day tire testing session with Firestone.
This was their first on-track action at Phoenix since the series’ hiatus in 2018. Their mission? To help Firestone narrow down the optimal tire compounds for the March 6-7 race weekend, which will be shared with NASCAR in a rare crossover event.
Phoenix Raceway has undergone significant changes since IndyCar’s last visit, including a revamped start/finish line location and the introduction of a dogleg section on the oval. Dixon described the track as “flipped on its head” compared to earlier years, noting new challenges such as the repositioned pit exit and changes to the banking profile. Rossi, meanwhile, admitted he was still learning the new turns, joking about calling old corners “Turn 1 and 2” despite the track update.
During the test, Dixon and Rossi ran cars fitted with low boost settings to simulate race conditions with the current hybrid power units and the aeroscreen safety device, which add weight and alter aerodynamics compared to previous cars. Laptimes were about 1.5 seconds slower than the previous 2018 pole time, but Dixon expects that to improve to around one second when the final race package is locked in.
Choosing the right tire is critical, especially after recent highly publicized tire failures in NASCAR’s Phoenix Cup Series race. Firestone and IndyCar are focused on delivering compounds that maximize grip and durability under the unique stresses of the Phoenix one-mile oval.
For Rossi, the test was a privilege: “I’m honored to help shape a race that means so much to the racing community, giving drivers a good challenge and fans a thrilling show.” Dixon echoed the sentiment, excited about sharing the weekend with NASCAR and expanding the sport’s reach.
Phoenix will kick off IndyCar’s 2026 season with an oval event before heading to other tracks later in the year. Fans can expect high-speed battles, strategic tire calls, and two of IndyCar’s most experienced drivers at the forefront of preparations.
The countdown to March 2026 is on—Phoenix Raceway is ready to roar back to life, with Dixon and Rossi paving the way.
