ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is expected to draw larger crowds this year with the addition of a NASCAR Truck Series race to the annual IndyCar weekend along the downtown waterfront.
IndyCar remains the main attraction of the three-day event, which runs along a temporary street course that winds through downtown St. Petersburg and around Albert Whitted Airport. Organizers said the addition of NASCAR trucks is bringing new energy and new fans to the event.
Watch report from Tampa Bay 29 reporter Erik Waxler
“I think it’s going to be exciting. The fans are in for a heck of a show," said driver Adam Andretti.
Andretti, nephew of racing legend Mario Andretti, said the trucks may resemble street vehicles, but they are built strictly for competition.
“Other than siloutte it really doesn’t compare much to the pickup truck that you see on the street. Obviously, they look identical to what you’d buy on the street, but they are pure-bred race trucks. It’s not like you can hang a license plate on these and go to the grocery store," said Andretti.
The NASCAR Truck Series features purpose-built race vehicles designed to look like production pickup trucks, but with specialized chassis, suspension, and safety features tailored for high-speed competition.
Among the drivers competing is actor-turned-racer Frankie Muniz, known for his role in the television sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle.” Muniz said he is looking forward to racing on the tight street course.
“It’s such an amazing city, amazing track. And I think we are going to have a lot of fun. It might be a little bit of mayhem in the truck race, but I think the fans will like it.”
Race officials said attendance has reached as many as 150,000 fans over three days in previous years. With NASCAR joining the lineup, they are hoping to surpass that mark.
“What we’ve seen here is actually a boost throughout the whole season of three-day tickets. So maybe a fan would have bought only a Sunday or only a Saturday, now we are seeing a lot more of our three day," said race promoter Kevin Savoree.
Savoree said it's too soon to say if the truck series will become a yearly part of the Grand Prix weekend in St. Petersburg, but he would love to have them back.
For fans like Kyle Courtney of Clearwater, the appeal is the opportunity to see NASCAR racing without traveling across the state.
“I think it’s great. The closest thing for us is Daytona, 2.5 hours. And then Miami, 3.5 hours. So, this is great to not have to drive very far.”
For Garrett Deore, the race weekend also doubles as a celebration.
“We are here at the race. It’s my bachelor party. I’m getting married in a few weeks. I got my dad here. Got my father-in-law to be. Best man, and then my other best buddies here.”
With IndyCar and NASCAR sharing the streets of St. Petersburg, organizers say the expanded lineup is designed to attract a broader audience and elevate one of the city’s largest annual sporting events.
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