5 IndyCar races every fan should attend in 2025

The 2025 IndyCar season promises to be the best that the series has ever seen. The broadcasting partnership with FOX Sports is already reaping benefits with fans commending their ingenious Josef Newgarden promo, which was released on Sunday, January 12.

With the marketing facet seemingly taken care of, the series, including the teams and drivers, zone in on achieving peak performance. 2025 will also be the first full season with the hybrid power units in play. While the calendar mostly remains the same, barring a new race in Thermal Club, California, to replace the second race at the Milwaukee Mile, here are five races that promise to be thrillers this year.

#5 - The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio

AUTO: JUL 03 IndyCar - Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio - Source: Getty

The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, treats fans to diverse racing action. The 13-turn, 2.258-mile road course has high-speed corners, elevation changes, a hairpin bend, and tight racing lines for drivers to follow.

IndyCar debuted the hybrid systems at this track in 2024. That race witnessed a tight battle between Pato O'Ward and Alex Palou for the win and only 0.4993 seconds separated the two at the finish line, which the former crossed first.

The race has been a staple on the IndyCar calendar since 1980 (except for a three-year absence between 2004 and 2006). The 2025 edition is scheduled for July 6 as the 10th race of the calendar.

#4 - Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

AUTO: MAR 05 INDYCAR Series Streets of St. Petersburg - Source: Getty

The streets of St. Petersburg always make for exciting wheel-to-wheel battles. The 14-turn, 1.8-mile street course features three straights, giving plenty of overtaking opportunities.

Pole-sitter Josef Newgarden dominantly won the 2024 iteration before IndyCar found him guilty of violating the push-to-pass system and disqualified him. Subsequently, Pato O'Ward inherited the win.

A section of the track also faces Florida's South Yacht Basin, giving fans a bonus view apart from the racing. The race will continue to be the season opener in 2025, taking place on March 2.

#3 - Children's of Alabama Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park

AUTO: APR 30 INDYCAR Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix - Source: Getty

The Children's of Alabama Grand Prix takes place at Barber Motorsports Park, a 17-turn, 2.38-mile circuit. The 80-foot elevation changes make racing tough for drivers, requiring minute attention to car setup.

The venue, which has a capacity of nearly 100,000, also features the iconic Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, which has the world's largest motorcycle collection. It's a delight for racing fans who crave a holistic experience that goes beyond the racing on the track.

In 2024, Scott McLaughlin won from pole to take his first win of the season. The Children's Grand Prix of Alabama is race 4 of the 2025 IndyCar calendar, scheduled for May 4.

#2 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

Scott Dixon Wins IndyCar Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach Sunday - Source: Getty

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is one of the most iconic IndyCar races. However, from 1975 to 1984, the Long Beach Grand Prix was an exclusive F1 race. The waterfront 1.968-mile circuit has 11 turns. From family fun zones to mini-concerts and more events, Long Beach transforms into a festival place during the race weekend.

In November 2024, IndyCar owner Roger Penske bought the track to ensure it remains a cornerstone of the series calendar.

"It’s an iconic race," Penske said (via the Los Angeles Times). "When you think about markets and where we want to be sure that we have IndyCar long term, this is a place we want to invest in for sure."

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is the third race on the 2025 calendar scheduled for April 13.

#1 - The 109th Indianapolis 500 - IndyCar's heart

AUTO: MAY 26 NTT IndyCar Series 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 - Source: Getty

The 109th Indianapolis 500 is the unrivaled premier event of the 2025 IndyCar calendar. Every year, it is the most-watched American open-wheel race. Similar to Barber Motorsports Park, it houses a motorsport museum - the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

Many drivers pride themselves more on winning the Indy 500 than a championship. The 2025 edition of the "Greatest Spectacle of Racing" awaits history to be written as Josef Newgarden aims for an unprecedented three-peat at the iconic oval.

The last two editions have finished with the Team Penske star winning the race with final lap passes - on Marcus Ericsson in 2023 and Pato O'Ward in 2024. On May 25, 2025, the world's eyes will be on him. This is a race that no racing fan should miss.