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Oh, joy! Gas-guzzlers invade Arlington in '26. Yay, climate crisis!

Oh, fantastic! Because what every sporting event needs is more corporate sponsorship and a healthy dose of billionaire owners showing off their shiny stadiums. Let's just call it the "Millionaire's Playpen 500" and be done with it.

Published October 8, 2024 at 9:38am by Marley Malenfant

Arlington: Because Apparently, the Cowboys and Rangers Weren’t Enough

Oh, Arlington, you insatiable beast. Not content with hogging the Texas Rangers, the Dallas Cowboys, and a 2026 World Cup bid, you just had to go and snatch IndyCar racing too. Bravo, you greedy devil.

So, buckle up, racing fans (or should we say, fans of watching cars go vroom vroom in circles). Here’s the lowdown:

IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington: Because Why Not?

According to IndyCar, they’re slapping down a 2.73-mile track right in the heart of Arlington’s sports and entertainment district. Because why settle for one oversized stadium when you can have two? The track will feature the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium and the Texas Rangers' Globe Life Field. How very Texas of you, Arlington.

When is the IndyCar Grand Prix of Arlington?

Mark your calendars, folks. The first race is set for March 2026. Just in time for spring fever to hit and for you to remember that yeah, you really don’t care about cars.

The event is brought to you by the unholy alliance of Penske Entertainment, The Dallas Cowboys, and REV Entertainment, the official events partner of the Texas Rangers. Because when you can’t win the Super Bowl, might as well sponsor a race, right?

Neil Leibman, Texas Rangers chief operating officer, couldn't contain his excitement. "This event will set a new standard for the Arlington Entertainment District, and we look forward to welcoming fans from around the world to experience what Arlington has to offer,” he gushed. Translation: "Please come and spend your money here."

For those who want to know more about the Arlington Grand Prix, a ceremony at Texas Live! will unveil more details on Tuesday. Because nothing says excitement like a ceremony in a fancy building.

When was the last IndyCar race in Texas?

Ah, memories. According to IndyStar, the series last graced Texas in 2023 at Texas Motor Speedway. But let’s be real, those races struggled to attract more than 10,000 fans. Maybe Arlington will have better luck with this shiny new track. Or maybe not. Who knows?

Stay woke, and keep those engines running (but not too loudly, please).