World Wide Technology Raceway to return to INDY NXT by Firestone in 2027

The path to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES often runs through the grueling, high-speed crucible of oval racing, and for the 2027 season, the next generation of open-wheel talent is heading back to the Midwest.

World Wide Technology Raceway, located in Madison, Illinois, officially confirmed on November 13 that it will return to the INDY NXT by Firestone calendar on Sunday, June 13, 2027.

This return marks a significant milestone for the developmental series, which serves as the primary proving ground for drivers aspiring to reach the top tier of American open-wheel competition.

The 1.25-mile oval will host the seventh stop on a 15-race schedule, forcing young drivers to grapple with their first oval challenge of the year under the intense scrutiny of a doubleheader weekend. The INDY NXT race will set the stage for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES feature event, which is slated for the same evening.

The stakes for these drivers are not merely academic. Alumni of the series include 2025 Bommarito Automotive Group 500 winner Kyle Kirkwood, and the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone champion Nikita Johnson is set to move up to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2027.

For the teams and manufacturers involved, the event at World Wide Technology Raceway is a vital diagnostic tool for evaluating a driver’s ability to manage traffic, tire degradation, and the unique aerodynamic demands of oval tracks.

The history of this specific venue adds a layer of pressure for the incoming class. During the 2026 event, Myles Rowe of Abel Motorsports with Force Indy made history, storming from the last starting position (24th) to win the INDY NXT by Firestone race.

Rowe established a series record for winning a race from the lowest starting position in series history. With eight laps left to go, he successfully fended off a final push during a restart and then created a gap of 2.2 seconds to claim the win.

For the surrounding St. Louis region and the broader motorsports industry, the inclusion of an oval race in the developmental calendar is more than a schedule update. It represents a commitment to the foundational discipline of INDYCAR racing.

While road and street circuits test technical precision and braking zones, the oval requires a different set of psychological and physical reflexes. Drivers must maintain high average speeds while driving in tight packs, a skill that separates career developmental drivers from those destined for top-tier seats.

The business side of the event is equally transparent. Tickets for the 2027 event weekend go on sale Nov. 14 at wwtraceway.com, according to official announcements from World Wide Technology Raceway.

The logistical coordination for such an event is substantial.

As the series looks toward the 2027 season, the return to Madison is not just a return to a familiar track; it is a return to the fundamentals of the sport. Whether the next Myles Rowe will emerge from the field to challenge the record books remains an open question, but the stage is set for June.