IndyCar Grand Prix of Monterey 2026

The short version

The INDYCAR Grand Prix of Monterey closes the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season Sunday, September 6 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, with the race weekend framed Friday through Sunday. Same Corkscrew geography as Monterey Car Week’s August racing, different month and ticket. Do not confuse it with GRIDLIFE Laguna two weeks later.

Verified details

• Race day: Sunday, September 6, 2026 (INDYCAR schedule).
• Weekend framing: September 4–6, 2026.
• Venue: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey / Salinas corridor, CA.
• Official hub: cms.indycar.com/Schedule.

Planning tips

• Race day is Sunday, September 6; confirm Friday–Saturday access against your SKU.
• This is not Monterey Car Week and not GRIDLIFE Laguna (Sept 18–20). Same track family, different products.
• Salinas / Monterey lodging is easier than Car Week, but still book before Labor Day weekend fills.
• Corkscrew viewing rewards an early hike and closed-toe shoes.

Common questions

When is the 2026 IndyCar race at Laguna Seca?

Race day is Sunday, September 6, 2026 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Confirm practice and qualifying on indycar.com.

Is this part of Monterey Car Week?

No. Monterey Car Week is mid-August. This is IndyCar’s September season finale on the same track campus.

How does it differ from GRIDLIFE Laguna?

GRIDLIFE Laguna Festival runs September 18–20, 2026 — a separate ticket and series about two weeks later.

Related on Eastward Drive

• Northern California Car Culture
• Monterey Car Week 2026
• GRIDLIFE Laguna 2026
• San Francisco to Monterey Road Trip
• IndyCar Milwaukee 2026