F1 & Indy 500 Set For 2026 Showdown In North America

Which is your favorite auto racing series? F1? NASCAR? IndyCar?

For the first time, Formula 1 and the iconic Indianapolis 500 will go head-to-head in North America in 2026. This stems from F1’s updated calendar that moves the Canadian Grand Prix to May 24—the same day the Indy 500 traditionally runs.

Previously, the Monaco GP clashed with Indy, but the time zone difference allowed fans and even F1 personnel to watch both. That luxury disappears with Canada and Indianapolis sharing the same timezone, meaning real-time competition for viewers and attention.

The shift in F1’s calendar aimed to streamline logistics, avoiding the awkward Miami–Europe–Canada–Europe stretch seen in past years. But this reorganization had constraints. Miami (May 3) and Canada aren’t close enough for a back-to-back, and Canadian organizers long resisted moving from their traditional June slot, citing weather concerns in Montreal.

Now, the compromise—Canada in late May—puts it directly against America’s most prestigious open-wheel race.

IndyCar may worry about lost visibility, but the 500’s recent sellout and 7M+ TV audience suggest strong resilience. Still, with both events pulling from North American motorsport fans, this clash could reshape how each series positions itself.

According to the official 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, no NASCAR Cup Series race is currently scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026. The calendar shows no events listed between the May 18 weekend and the June 15 “Viva Mexico 250” at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

This means that the Indy 500 and the Canadian Grand Prix are likely to go unchallenged by NASCAR on that day—making their clash even more significant in the North American motorsport spotlight. Comment below on what race you want to see.

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Source: The Race

Photo Credit: F1/Indy/Paramount