The inaugural race of the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES delivered the series’ most-watched season-opener in 11 years as Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin took the checkered flag at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Sunday, Feb. 27 on NBC and Peacock Premium.

The race averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 1.429 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, making it not only the most-watched INDYCAR season opener in 11 years (St. Petersburg, 2011, 1.840 million, ABC), but also the most-watched non-Indianapolis 500 INDYCAR race in 11 years.

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022) – Scott McLaughlin delivered on the promise he showed to Team Penske when it signed him straight from touring cars to race in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, earning his first career victory Sunday in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding.

NTT P1 Award winner McLaughlin drove his No. 3 DEX Imaging Team Penske Chevrolet from the pole to victory by .5095 of a second over reigning series champion Alex Palou, who applied heavy pressure to McLaughlin over the closing laps in his No. 10 NTT DATA Chip Ganassi Racing Honda as they raced among and through slower traffic.

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022) – Scott McLaughlin targeted a main goal after his rookie season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2021 – improve his qualifying performances.

Consider that job done after just one race in 2022.

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Friday, Feb. 25, 2022) – Talk about making an entrance.

Romain Grosjean led the first practice of the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season in his first official drive with Andretti Autosport, pacing the Friday afternoon session for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on the streets of the Florida city.

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Three Ocala, Fla. athletes will wave the green flag and ride in ‘Fastest Seat in Sports’

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Feb. 25, 2022) – Hot off their achievements at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, three Ocala, Fla. Team USA medal winners will join the pre-race action for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding this Sunday, Feb. 27.  Speed skaters and great friends Brittany Bowe, Erin Jackson and Joey Mantia each will partake in honorary roles before the 26-car field takes the green flag for the season-opening NTT INDYCAR SERIES race.

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Free Community Event Will Offer Additional Fun to the

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Presented by RP Funding with Fireworks Show to Follow

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Feb. 17, 2022) - INDYCAR Party in the Park will offer a unique, new fan experience during the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding weekend on Saturday, Feb. 26. This free activity is part of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season-opening event held annually in downtown St. Petersburg and will happen in North Straub Park, positioned between Bayshore Dr. NE and Beach Dr. NE  along the waterfront.

Open to the public, INDYCAR Party in the Park will feature special guests, including NTT INDYCAR SERIES athletes, plus prizes and fireworks. Race cars from six racing series running on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding weekend schedule will be on display, including at least one NTT INDYCAR SERIES car representing each team. The event runs 4 to 6 p.m. EST, with fireworks to follow at 8 p.m.

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Official partnership includes naming rights to the waterside club 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Feb. 15, 2022) – Horse Soldier Bourbon has signed on as an official partner of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. Race fans attending the 18th annual event in downtown St. Petersburg will enjoy the return of the floating refreshment dock to the yacht club for this year’s event. 

During the race weekend, February 25-27, this space will be officially known as the Horse Soldier Bourbon Waterside Club thanks to this new partnership. In addition to other beverage selections, Horse Soldier Bourbon will be available to fans of legal age to enjoy while visiting the area positioned on the water’s edge of St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina just outside of Turn 11. 

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Since 2016, the Mayor and the City of St. Petersburg Council members have hosted a flag raising ceremony in front of City Hall. On the Thursday before the race weekend, Mayor Ken Welch and Green Savoree Racing Promotions co-owners Kim Green and Kevin Savoree will the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg flag high, and welcomed the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, all the support racing series, and fans back to sunny St. Pete. 

In 2018, there was a special dedication to St. Pete resident, Sebastien Bourdais, who had won the 2017 Firestone Grand Prix. He was surprised with his own street sign at the flag raising ceremony presented by Mayor Rick Kriseman.