The 2020 NTT IndyCar Series will begin with its highest car count for the season opener in eight years.
There are 26 cars on the entry list for Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg with an even split of 13 Chevrolets and 13 Hondas.
It ties a record for the largest field in the race that will open the IndyCar season for the 10th consecutive season.
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There have been 26 cars in twice before at St. Petersburg (2012 and ’08). There were 24 cars entered in each of the past two IndyCar races at St. Petersburg.
Click here to view the entry list for the 17th Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Among the notables in the field:
- Defending series champion Josef Newgarden also is the defending winner of the 100-lap race on the 1.8-mile, 14-turn course through downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.
- Will Power won the pole position last year, one nine poles in the past 13 races at St. Pete for Team Penske.
- Five-time series champion Scott Dixon is seeking his first victory on the circuit where he has four runner-up finishes (including last year).
- There are five rookies entered, and four - Oliver Askew, Felipe Nasr, Alex Palou and Rinus VeeKay -- will make their IndyCar debuts this weekend.
There will be two practice sessions Saturday at 9:45 a.m. ET and 1:30 p.m. ET. Qualifying is at 4:45 p.m. ET Saturday. All IndyCar practice sessions and qualifying will stream live on NBC Sports Gold.
The race will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday. NBCSN will carry the race broadcast, starting at 2:30 p.m. ET.