St. Petersburg Street Circuit – Florida IndyCar Season Opener Guide
Originally published March 2017. Last updated September 2026: expanded Tier B circuit guide, facts table, table of contents, internal links, FAQ schema, IndyCar season-opener context, and editorial refresh while preserving legacy images and narrative.
St. Petersburg Street Circuit is a temporary downtown course in St. Petersburg, Florida, that has hosted professional motorsport since the first Trans-Am race in 1985. After two false starts and a relocation, the 2003 layout stuck: a smooth, fast 14-turn lap mixing city streets, Albert Whitted Airport runways, and the Al Lang Stadium parking lot that now anchors the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
The circuit matters because it survived sponsor disputes and neighbourhood noise battles to become the IndyCar Series season opener (since 2009) — rare proof that a American downtown street race can last decades. Drivers praise the asphalt-and-concrete surface and multiple passing zones compared with tighter US street venues.
For US street-racing context see Long Beach Street Circuit, Phoenix Raceway, and Road Atlanta.
Contents
St. Petersburg Street Circuit facts
| Location | Downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, United States (Tampa Bay) |
|---|---|
| Circuit type | Temporary street circuit (public roads, airport runway, stadium lot) |
| First race | 1985 (SCCA Trans-Am Series) |
| Current layout since | 2003 (Champ Car / IndyCar era) |
| Length | About 2.9 km (1.8 miles), 14 turns |
| Surface | Asphalt and concrete (generally smooth for a street course) |
| Main event | Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (IndyCar Series) |
| Calendar role | IndyCar season-opening race since 2009 |
| Notable lap record (IndyCar) | Will Power — 1:00.245 (2016 race) |
Lap record note: Trans-Am, Champ Car, IndyCar, and sports-car categories used different layouts and tyres. Compare times only within the same configuration and series.
St. Petersburg street circuit along the Tampa Bay waterfront
Downtown revival and the 1985 Trans-Am round
City leaders wanted to energise St. Petersburg’s downtown. Despite resident scepticism, organisers closed streets for an SCCA Trans-Am Series round followed by a Can-Am race. Roughly 60,000 spectators attended, but the promoter still lost money — a familiar street-race economics lesson.
1986 Trans-Am action on the original St. Petersburg course
Until 1990 the event ran on a slightly modified 3.219 km layout with growing sponsor support. Winners included Walter Röhrl and Scott Pruett. The darkest moment came in 1987 when Jim Fitzgerald died after hitting concrete barriers during Trans-Am qualifying.
Noise complaints and the 1996–1997 detour
After noise complaints and sponsor withdrawal, racing left the original streets. Organisers tried again in 1996 and 1997 on a course a few blocks away, but fan interest sagged and backing disappeared. St. Petersburg went without major motorsport for roughly five years.
Third time lucky: Champ Car in 2003
Lobbying and detailed planning paid off in 2003 when Champ Car returned with headline coverage. Trans-Am shared the weekend, along with several support categories.
IndyCar field on the St. Petersburg grid
The new route reused pieces of the 1985 course, incorporated Albert Whitted Airport runways, and turned the Al Lang Stadium parking lot into a paddock and pit complex. Purpose-built pit lane infrastructure finally gave teams modern working conditions.
St. Petersburg street circuit map — IndyCar layout
From Champ Car dispute to IndyCar opener
The Grand Prix ran annually except 2004, when promoter disputes and Champ Car’s financial turmoil cancelled the race. On return in 2005 the event joined the IndyCar Series, becoming the championship’s first non-oval round of the unified era.
Since 2009 St. Petersburg has opened the IndyCar season — sunshine, waterfront scenery, and tight early championship points that contrast with later speedway rounds.
Smooth surface and passing places
Drivers quickly praised the 2003 design. Unlike bumpier US street circuits, St. Petersburg’s asphalt-and-concrete blend stays relatively smooth, with several braking zones that invite overtaking.
Finish line on the St. Petersburg waterfront course
The lap measures about 2.9 km with 14 turns. Will Power holds the IndyCar race lap record at 1:00.245, set during the 2016 Grand Prix.
Aerial view of the St. Petersburg street circuit
Indy Lights, sports cars, and Dan Wheldon Way
Support categories have included Indy Lights, GT World Challenge America (formerly Pirelli World Challenge), USF2000, and Pro Mazda. The American Le Mans Series raced here from 2007 to 2009.
After Dan Wheldon — a St. Petersburg resident and two-time Indy 500 winner — died in the 2011 Las Vegas IndyCar finale, part of the circuit was named in his honour.
Tampa Bay airports and downtown hotels
Tampa International Airport lies about 25 minutes north across the bay. St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport is closer and offers US domestic connections. Downtown hotels and restaurants walk to the circuit on race weekend.
Official ticketing and schedule details: gpstpete.com.
Frequently asked questions about St. Petersburg Street Circuit
Where is the St. Petersburg street circuit?
The course runs through downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, on Tampa Bay, using city streets, Albert Whitted Airport runways, and the Al Lang Stadium area.
Is St. Petersburg an IndyCar street race?
Yes. The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is on the IndyCar Series calendar and has opened the season since 2009.
When did racing start in St. Petersburg?
The first major event was the SCCA Trans-Am Series round in 1985, followed by Can-Am the same weekend.
How long is the St. Petersburg street circuit?
The current IndyCar layout is about 2.9 km (1.8 miles) with 14 turns, in use since 2003.
Who holds the IndyCar lap record at St. Petersburg?
Will Power set the race lap record at 1:00.245 during the 2016 Grand Prix.
Why did St. Petersburg stop racing in the 1990s?
Noise complaints and sponsor withdrawal ended the original downtown event. A 1996–1997 attempt on a nearby layout also failed for lack of fan and financial support.
When did IndyCar replace Champ Car at St. Pete?
The race returned in 2005 on the unified IndyCar Series after the 2004 cancellation linked to Champ Car’s financial crisis.
Is St. Petersburg smoother than other US street circuits?
Drivers often describe it as smoother than many American street courses because of its asphalt-and-concrete blend and relatively recent 2003 design.
What is Dan Wheldon Way?
After Dan Wheldon died in 2011, part of the St. Petersburg course was named for the two-time Indy 500 winner who lived in the city.
Which airports serve the St. Petersburg Grand Prix?
Tampa International is the main hub (~25 minutes north). St. Petersburg–Clearwater International is closer for domestic flights.
Related reading
- Long Beach Street Circuit — West Coast IndyCar street race
- Surfers Paradise Street Circuit — Australian street racing
- Townsville Street Circuit — Queensland Supercars
- Watkins Glen International — US road-course history
- Charlotte Motor Speedway — NASCAR hub
Address: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, 100 2nd Avenue N #340, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
Phone: +1 727 898 4639
Official website: gpstpete.com
Photo credits: ansamotorsports.com, briancleary-bcpix.photoshelter.com, frontstretch.com, flickr.com, paddockeye.ie