Christian Lundgaard races past the home of the Dallas Cowboys during the NTT INDYCAR Series Java House Grand Prix of Arlington on March 13, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Perry Nelson/Lumen via Getty Images)
Lumen via Getty Images
The relationship between Roger Penske and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, along with Texas Rangers owner Ray Davis for the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington NTT IndyCar Series race was so successful, it was all but a foregone conclusion it would return next season.
That conclusion became a reality on May 11.
The event will return March 19-21, 2027, after his year’s successful debut on a street course that included AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, and Glove Live Field, home of the Texas Rangers, Texas Live! and Loews Hotels.
“It went to a first-class neighborhood,” IndyCar Owner and Chairman of the Penske Corporation Roger Penske told me. “When you get down, the Rangers and the Cowboys, and they really turned out for us. I think our whole group, Michael Montri and Greg Penske and Mark Miles and everybody else did a great job there. There are things we can do to make it better, which we will.
“The only friend we didn't have was the wind down there, which hurt us because we had to take a lot of the things down because we were concerned about the wind. But overall, great event, and now we have some interest from some other areas who might do the same thing.”
Roger Penske (left) and Jerry Jones (right)
Bruce Martin Photo
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It also created an outstanding relationship between two of the greatest sportsmen in the world – Penske and Jerry Jones.
“Jerry is a super guy,” Penske said. “I've known him for quite a while, and he was so helpful and thrilled. He is a player in the business. He is a great sportsman. You see what he's done now in that whole area, Texas Live, which is part of the Rangers. You couldn't build this yourself. And we are a partner going forward, which is great.”
As the owner of the National Football League’s most successful franchise in terms of value and exposure, Johnson understands the value of creating partnerships. That is why he believes the Grand Prix of Arlington is a tremendous investment for the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
“I think it’s iconic because we are here between the Cowboys and the Rangers real estate and to have this as our playground you might call it for a weekend is amazing,” Penske told me at this year’s Arlington race. “We don't have this kind of a commitment any place we go if we do here and I can see it the investment by the partners along with IndyCar is amazing and I think the teamwork; I have to say the teamwork between the organizations has been amazing and we're so excited.
“This is a benchmark. This takes us to the next level when we go to the next city or the next state. And this is going to be our benchmark.”
This year’s race delivered a race day grandstand sellout, record-setting fan engagement and global attention for North Texas. It established itself as one of the premier stops on the NTT IndyCar Series calendar in its inaugural year.
“From the sold-out grandstands to the incredible support from our fans, partners and the Arlington community, the response to the inaugural event was exceptional,” said Bill Miller, President of the Java House Grand Prix of Arlington. "Building on the momentum from this first year, 2027 will deliver more enhancements and memorable experiences for our guests.”
Packed grandstands at Java House Grand Prix of Arlington
INDYCAR Photo by Joe Skibinski
The unique temporary street circuit, which weaves through one of the most recognizable sports and entertainment districts in the country, provides a one-of-a-kind backdrop for elite competition while delivering unprecedented access for fans. Combined with entertainment, fan zones, hospitality experiences and family-friendly programming, the weekend is more than just a race but a destination event.
All 73 luxury suites were sold, giving corporations and guests a true VIP experience. There were also two clubs that were built with the race track underneath, giving those patrons an incredible and unique view of the racing action. Those included the WinStar Winners Club and the Horseshoe.
According to race officials, ticket sales spanned across all 50 states and 20 countries, bringing guests from across the globe to Arlington.
The fans came and they spent money, too, with record merchandise sales for a non-Indianapolis 500 event, underscoring extraordinary fan engagement and enthusiasm in North Texas.
Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global drove to his sixth career NTT IndyCar Series win when he passed race-leader Alex Palou in Turn 13 with 16 laps remaining. Kirkwood led the next 16 laps to win on a street course for the fifth time in his career.
Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global Honda, pit stop during the NTT INDYCAR Series Java House Grand Prix of Arlington on March 15, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Michael L. Levitt/Lumen via Getty Images)
Lumen via Getty Images
The viewership was up 142 percent over last year’s third race of the season when 552,000 watched the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 13, 2025. It was also up 54 percent over last year’s race average of 867,000 from 2 to 2:15 pm. Eastern Time.
“We’re right in the middle of 9 million people and there are a lot of people here that can appreciate what's going on when those racers are out here committing and what's involved behind it,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told me at this year’s race. “So, I've got all the excitement you could possibly have, not only about tomorrow or the next few days, but the future.
“This thing has been done first class, and no detail has been spared. And one thing for sure, Roger and his group, they wanted first impressions to be the right one and our fans need to feel it.”
Combine Penske, Jones and Davis with a sports mad sporting audience in Texas, along with aggressive promotion, the Arlington race had all the ingredients to be successful.
“Well, I like to be with winners,” Jones told me before the event. “It has such a natural passion, what the players are doing, what they’re competing to do and that's what got me into football and the Cowboys is a passion to just be around those people. I know that's what fans really gravitate to.
“And so, it's pretty easy. You've got great tradition. And then I don't mind telling you, I gravitate where I can up against, a winner. And Roger Penske, from the time he sold the league on doing the Super Bowl in Detroit, has always been someone that could get my attention.”
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
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It created an event that had a buzz, and that is important as IndyCar moves forward.
“I think this is the new standard,” six-time NTT IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing told me. “This is what IndyCar needs to stick to.”
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