Strong Offseason Testing Sets Stage for Andretti’s Push in First Short Oval of 2026
Andretti Global heads west to Phoenix Raceway this weekend as the 2026 season shifts to short oval competition in Avondale, Arizona. Known for its distinctive dogleg that produces exciting passing and challenges the world’s best drivers, Phoenix Raceway is back on the INDYCAR schedule for the first time since 2018. In a joint race weekend with TWG Motorsports sister team Spire Motorsports and the NASCAR Cup Series, the Andretti squad arrives in the desert after a pair of strong results from Kyle Kirkwood (P4) and Marcus Ericsson (P6) at last weekend’s season opener on the Streets of St. Petersburg. With two days of productive offseason testing already completed on the Arizona oval, the Andretti trio returns to Phoenix looking to build on its strong testing momentum in the first oval race of the year.
Race Details
| Good Ranchers 250 – Phoenix Raceway |
| Round | 2/18 |
| Track Type | Oval |
| Turns | 4 |
| Laps | 250 |
| Track Length | 1 mile |
Fast Facts
INDYCAR
- For the first time in eight years, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to Phoenix Raceway to take on the first oval of the season. Andretti Global’s history on the Arizona tri-oval dates back to 2003 when Tony Kanaan captured the team’s first INDYCAR win. Kanaan went on to claim another Phoenix victory for Andretti Global the following year, and the team has collected three poles (Kanaan – 2003, Wheldon – 2004 and B. Herta – 2005), six podiums, 13 top-10 finishes and 323 laps led in six appearances.
Will Power
- As the only current Andretti Global driver, and one of only five current INDYCAR drivers, to have raced on the Arizona tri-oval, Will Power will look to secure his first win at a track where he has two podium finishes, two top-fives and 139 laps led.
- In 105 oval starts, Power has 10 wins, 19 poles, 55 top-10 finishes and more than 2,600 laps led.
Kyle Kirkwood
- After capturing his maiden INDYCAR oval victory last season at World Wide Technology Raceway, Kyle Kirkwood will make his Phoenix Raceway debut with strong momentum that includes one win, one pole, seven top-10 finishes and 93 laps led on ovals.
Marcus Ericsson
- Indianapolis 500 Champion Marcus Ericsson will look to add a second INDYCAR oval win to his resume this weekend at Phoenix Raceway this weekend. Dating back to his 2019 rookie season, the Swede has captured one win, three podiums, 17 top-10 finishes and has led 80 laps in his 38 oval starts.
| Andretti INDYCAR Championship Standings |
| Will Power | 8 points | 22nd |
| Kyle Kirkwood | 32 points | 4th |
| Marcus Ericsson | 29 points | 6th |
INDYCAR Team Quotes
Will Power
No. 26 TWG AI Honda
“I really enjoy the Phoenix track. I’ve been very close to winning there a few times, so a victory is definitely on my mind. We’ve tested there twice now, which is a big deal with how limited testing is these days. We put a lot of emphasis on those days and really pushed to find direction with the car. I felt like we got that from the first test, and coming back the second time only helped refine it. Short ovals are probably my favorite now. I feel like I’ve got a strong read on what I need, so I’m looking forward to getting back there in the TWG AI Honda and putting it all together.”
Kyle Kirkwood
No. 27 JM Bullion / Gold.com Honda
“I’m really looking forward to Phoenix. Coming off a P4 finish in St. Pete and a strong oval test there a few weeks ago, we’ve got a lot of confidence heading into the weekend. It was one of the best tests I’ve had with this team on an oval, so now it’s about carrying that into the race. If we execute, I think we can be right there. It should be a great weekend with NASCAR in town, and I’m ready to get after it with the JM Bullion / Gold.com crew.”
Marcus Ericsson
No. 28 Delaware Life Honda
“Phoenix is a new track for a lot of us, including me, but it was good to get a test there a couple of weeks ago. I really enjoyed it. It reminds me a bit of St. Louis with how different the two ends of the track are, so the challenge will be getting the car working well in both places. Since INDYCAR hasn’t been there in a long time, it will be interesting to see how the racing plays out, but with the short oval package we’ve had lately, it’s usually pretty exciting. It’s also cool to share the weekend with NASCAR and the Spire team. I’m looking forward to getting back there and seeing what the No. 28 can do.”
Ron Ruzewski
Team Principal
“These first rounds of the season showcase the diversity of INDYCAR, going from a race on the Streets of St. Petersburg to the one-mile historic oval in Phoenix. This is what makes INDYCAR special. Phoenix brings a lot of challenges as a fast, short oval, and the circuit is rich in INDYCAR history. We would love to get the Andretti team back on the top step of the podium here. This weekend is also special with NASCAR and INDYCAR sharing the venue and creating a big weekend for racing fans. We look forward to building on the good start to the season and continuing to gain momentum as we push toward the big race in May. Short oval racing is always exciting, and we had a good test there last month, so we’re looking forward to getting back on track to see how we have improved. We also look forward to cheering on our teammates at Spire since we get to share the weekend with them.”
