 Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present) | |
| Location | St. Petersburg, Florida |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 27°45′59″N82°37′45″W / 27.76639°N 82.62917°W /27.76639; -82.62917 |
| FIA Grade | 2 |
| Opened | 1985 |
| Major events | Current: IndyCar Series Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (2003, 2005–present) Future: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at St. Petersburg (2026) Former: Stadium Super Trucks (2014–2017, 2021) American Le Mans Series (2007–2009) Trans-Am Series (1985–1991, 1996–1997, 2003) Can-Am (1985) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2003–present) | |
| Length | 1.800 mi (2.897 km) |
| Turns | 14 |
| Race lap record | 1:00.6795 ( Josef Newgarden,Dallara DW12,2024,IndyCar) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1996–1997) | |
| Length | 1.690 mi (2.720 km) |
| Turns | 8 |
| Race lap record | 1:14.800 (Tommy Kendall,Ford Mustang,1997,Trans-Am) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1986–1990) | |
| Length | 2.000 mi (3.219 km) |
| Turns | 11 |
| Race lap record | 1:17.440 (Scott Pruett,Merkur XR4Ti,1987,Trans-Am) |
| Original Grand Prix Circuit (1985) | |
| Length | 2.000 mi (3.219 km) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Race lap record | 1:23.020 (Peter Greenfield,Ralt RT4,1985,Can-Am) |
The streets ofSt. Petersburg, in theU.S. state ofFlorida, hostsIndyCar racing, and later theNASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racing, from 1985.
The race takes place on astreet circuit, utilizing downtown streets, and one runway ofAlbert Whitted Airport. The event dates back to 1985, withIndyCars first competing in 2003 and theNASCAR Craftsman Truck Series first competing in 2026.
The inaugural 1985 event was organized by William T. McVey, president of the McBri Corporation inTampa, Florida and a member ofIMSA and theSCCA.[1] TheSCCA Trans-Am Series held a race on a St. Petersburg downtown waterfront circuit from 1985 to 1990.Can-Am also competed in 1985. Local residents and businesses complained about noise, and the event was eventually put on hiatus.[2] DriverJim Fitzgerald was killed in a crash during the 1987 race.[3][4]
From 1996 to 1997, the St. Petersburg race was revived on a different course aroundTropicana Field (about one mile west of the original waterfront course). Along with the Trans-Am Series, support races includedUSF2000,Speed World Challenge,Pro SRF andBarber Dodge. The event subsequently went again on hiatus for several years.[2]
In 2003, the event was revived again for theCART Championship Series. A new, modified version of the original 1985 waterfront circuit was created. For 2004, the event was cancelled due to a dispute between the promoters, furthermore, the bankruptcy and liquidation of the CART series into the newChamp Car World Series saw a shakeup of the calendar. When the race returned in 2005, it switched to theIndyCar Series, marking the first non-oval event for theIndy Racing League. In2007, the race weekend was expanded to include anAmerican Le Mans Series event.
In 2026, theNASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will join IndyCar with their own event.[5]
The Streets of St. Petersburg course is astreet circuit connecting existing roads with one of the two runways ofAlbert Whitted Airport inSt. Petersburg, Florida. It also dips into the parking lot atAl Lang Stadium. St. Petersburg is classified as anFIAGrade Two circuit.[6]
The original 1985 Trans-Am course utilized a similar layout to the course used today. For the first year the track actually ran out to the pier, made a 180 degree turn and returned. At the end of Bayshore Drive, rather than diverting off to the airport runways, the course circled around 5th Avenue Southeast aroundBayfront Arena, and the start/finish line was located just south of the paddock (the parking lot of Bayfront Arena). In addition, the old course traveled further up Beach Drive Northeast, all the way to 5th Avenue Northeast. 5th Ave. NE was a very narrow segment. The course came south down Bayshore Drive Northeast, and passed byThe Pier.
The second course atTropicana Field was located about a mile west of the waterfront location. The circuit used the roads around the perimeter of the parking lot of the stadium.
When the course was reconfigured, the northbound segment turned atCentral Avenue instead, and did not go as far asThe Pier. The pits and main straight were moved to the airport, and a purpose-built paddock area was paved next to the runway. The Albert Whitted Park was reconfigured/relocated, and the entire course layout was repaved.
The pits and paddock areas, as well as link fromDan Wheldon Way to the airport runway (turns 11, 12, and 13) were constructed specifically for the circuit in 2003, and are consideredpermanent features of the otherwise temporary circuit.
After the crash at the2011 IZOD IndyCar World Championship that killedSnell Isle residentDan Wheldon, who won the 2005 race and two Indianapolis 500 titles, the straight following Turn 10 (the turn from Bayshore Drive to Albert Whitted Park) was renamed "Dan Wheldon Way" in his memory. The sign and commemorative plaque was unveiled bySt. Petersburg mayorBill Foster on March 6, 2012. A permanent Dan Wheldon Memorial is located next to the Dali Museum on the opposite side of Turn 10, where race winners have their names placed on the memorial.[7]
.svg)
.svg)
As of March 2025, the fastest official race lap records at the St. Petersburg street circuit are listed as: