Andretti Global Kicks off Final Season Stretch in Portland
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone head to the Pacific Northwest this weekend as Andretti Global takes on Portland International Raceway (PIR), kicking off a stretch of five consecutive race weekends to close out the 2026 season.
Portland International Raceway, a 12-turn, 1.964-mile natural road course, is relatively flat but features several prime passing zones, including the fast frontstretch chicane, the heavy-braking right-hander in Turn 7 leading onto the sweeping backstretch and the technical three-turn complex that returns drivers to the frontstretch.
Fresh off the announcement that he will remain with Andretti Global for the 2027 season, Marcus Ericsson returns to Portland alongside teammate and defending race winner Will Power, who will look to capture his third consecutive victory at PIR after back-to-back wins in 2024 and 2025. The Andretti INDY NXT team also returns as the defending race winner after reigning INDY NXT champion Dennis Hauger claimed victory in 2025. Adding to the weekend’s storylines, Portland native Josh Pierson will make his first appearance at his hometown track as an Andretti Global driver and his fourth INDY NXT start at PIR.
Race Details
| OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland – Portland International Raceway |
| Round | 13/18 |
| Track Type | Road Course |
| Turns | 12 |
| Laps | 110 Laps |
| Track Length | 1.967 Miles |
| Grand Prix of Portland – Portland International Raceway |
| Round | 14/17 |
| Track Type | Road Course |
| Turns | 12 |
| Laps | 35 Laps |
| Track Length | 1.967 Miles |
Fast Facts
INDYCAR
- The NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to Portland International Raceway for the 32nd race at the circuit, dating back to 1984, and the eighth since returning to the calendar in 2018. In seven appearances on the Pacific Northwest circuit, Andretti INDYCAR has recorded three podiums, 12 top-10 finishes and led 55 laps.
Will Power
- Defending race winner Will Power returns to Portland International Raceway for the 10th time this weekend. Since making his debut at the track in 2006, the Australian has captured three wins, including back-to-back victories in 2024 and 2025, one pole and 247 laps led.
- During his 2025 appearance in Portland, Power started fourth and led 78 of the 110 laps, only giving up the lead during pit cycles. Holding off the No. 7 in the closing laps, the Australian went on to capture his third victory at Portland International Raceway.
Kyle Kirkwood
- After earning the first road course podium of his INDYCAR career at Mid-Ohio last month, Kyle Kirkwood makes his fifth start at Portland International Raceway, where he has recorded two top-10 finishes.
- In 2025, Kirkwood started 19th and worked his way into the top five before his second pit stop. The No. 27 struggled with pace in the final stint and ultimately finished 20th.
Marcus Ericsson
- Returning for his sixth appearance at Portland International Raceway, Marcus Ericsson will look to capture his first road course victory at a track where he has earned three top-10 finishes.
- Last year, Ericsson started 10th and moved up to ninth before an equipment issue during his first pit stop dropped the No. 28 to the back of the field. Although he tried to remain in the fight, the Swede crossed the line in 22nd.
| Andretti INDYCAR Championship Standings |
| Will Power | 220 points | 14th |
| Kyle Kirkwood | 370 points | 3rd |
| Marcus Ericsson | 250 points | 9th |
INDY NXT
- In Andretti INDY NXT’s seven appearances at Portland International Raceway, the team has collected five wins (O’Ward – 2018 R1 & R2, Kirkwood – 2021 R2, Foster – 2023 and Hauger – 2025), four poles, 13 podiums and 152 laps led. Portland International Raceway was a permanent fixture on the INDY NXT by Firestone calendar until 2001, before returning to the schedule in 2018.
Lochie Hughes
- Lochie Hughes will make his second INDY NXT start at Portland after scoring a top-10 finish in his series debut last year.
- Hughes clinched the USF Pro 2000 Championship title at Portland in 2024, securing his step up to INDY NXT.
Seb Murray
- Seb Murray will make his second race start at Portland International Raceway this weekend. In last year’s race, he was involved in a Lap 1, Turn 1 multi-car incident that dropped him down the order, eventually finishing 16th.
Max Taylor
- Max Taylor is set to make his INDY NXT racing debut this weekend in Portland. So far this season, Taylor has scored three top-five finishes on road courses, with two of those being podiums.
- Taylor has recorded three top-five finishes on road courses this season, including two podiums.
- The American driver finished in the top five during Race 1 of the USF Pro 2000 doubleheader at Portland last year.
Josh Pierson
- Portland, Oregon native Josh Pierson will compete on his home track for the fourth time in the INDY NXT Series. His best finish on the Pacific Northwestern track was ninth place in 2024.
| Andretti INDY NXT Driver Championship Standings |
| Lochie Hughes | 345 points | 5th |
| Seb Murray | 245 points | 13th |
| Max Taylor | 361 points | 4th |
| Josh Pierson | 282 points | 10th |
INDYCAR Team Quotes
Will Power
No. 26 TWG AI Honda
“Portland has always been a track I’ve enjoyed. It just flows well, and it suits my style. You can carry a lot of speed through the corners, and when everything comes together, it’s an enjoyable place to drive. Hopefully we can have a strong run and put ourselves in position to go after my third straight win there.”
Kyle Kirkwood
No. 27 Sam’s Club Honda
“Looking forward to getting back to racing after a few weeks off. Last year, Portland was our least successful race of the season. Hopefully, with the performance advantage we have now on road courses and coming off my first podium at Mid-Ohio, Portland will turn into one of our better races. It’s an important race for our Championship fight.”
Marcus Ericsson
No. 28 Delaware Life Honda
“Portland is another race on the West Coast, and it’s always fun to get out there and see the fan base. It’s a short lap, so it really requires a lot of precision in both your driving and the setup of the car. You always get super tight there, and track position is important, so you need to be on top of things from the get-go and really perfect your execution. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do in the Delaware Life Honda.”
Ron Ruzewski
Team Principal
“Looking forward to getting back on track and to the Pacific Northwest. Portland is a great event, and returning as last year’s race winner looking to repeat makes it even better. The next five weeks are so important in the Championship, and we want to start this stretch of six events with solid showings from all three guys.”
INDY NXT Team Quotes
Lochie Hughes
No. 26 Andretti Global Dallara
“Portland is always a fun challenge, and I’m excited to get back behind the wheel this weekend after some time off. It’s going to be a standard-format race weekend for us, which means two practice sessions and a race, which I think will be a good thing. The goal is to execute a clean weekend from the first practice through to the race and put us in contention at the front. I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing what we can do.”
Seb Murray
No. 27 Megatron Dallara
“I’m really excited to go back to Portland this year. I feel like last year I didn’t really get to show my true pace, and over the past two weeks, the team and I have been working really hard on the simulator to maximize both my and the car’s performance for this coming weekend, so I’m really excited to showcase what pace I have there.”
Max Taylor
No. 28 Susan G. Komen Dallara
“The little summer break was nice, but I can’t wait to be back on track! The team and I have been working hard and preparing to have a really good weekend, so I’m excited to get out to Portland. This is my first time racing in INDY NXT at this track, but I’ve been strong here in USF2000, so I’m sure it’s going to be a fun time with some good points up for grabs.”
Josh Pierson
No. 29 Starchive Dallara
“I’m excited to get on track in Portland. Having grown up in Wilsonville, just a 40-minute drive south, makes the event all the more special. For me, it’s really just about getting to be back home in the Pacific Northwest. I’m confident in my Andretti Global No. 29 crew, and I know we’ll be fighting strong.”
Don Lambert
Team Principal
“The Andretti INDY NXT team is ready for some permanent road course action, and we know that Portland will deliver. We need to stay focused on these last four races; Portland can be a Championship-changing race for some. These drivers and crew guys have been working hard over the past couple of weeks, and I’m confident that they can take on the challenge.”
