Key takeaways
- 2027 race under discussion: IndyCar management is optimistic about a 2027 race in Goiânia, telling teams and drivers to prepare for international travel to Brazil.
- Track repaving underway: Following asphalt issues during MotoGP and Stock Car events early in 2026, a complete repaving of the Ayrton Senna Circuit began in July to meet international standards.
- Political push for agreement: Local officials in Goiás are eager to finalize the contract ahead of upcoming October elections to ensure continuity for the project.
IndyCar leadership is taking concrete steps toward returning to South America, with growing optimism around adding a race in Goiânia, Brazil to the 2027 NTT IndyCar Series calendar. According to a report by Racer, series organizers have already advised teams and drivers to prepare for logistics surrounding a Brazilian event.
Mark Miles, CEO of Penske Entertainment, has made three visits to the Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiânia to inspect infrastructure and negotiate directly with local government officials.
A key focus of negotiations has been track surface quality. During MotoGP’s return to Goiânia in March 2026, track conditions caused schedule delays and race distance adjustments due to asphalt degradation on the main straight and through turns 11 and 12. Subsequent repairs ahead of a Stock Car event in May proved insufficient, leading local authorities to commission a full resurfacing of the entire circuit in July. The track is expected to reopen for competition in October.
State officials in Goiás are pushing to finalize a multi-year agreement swiftly, aiming to secure the event before local elections take place in October.
While IndyCar has only published the first half of its 2027 schedule—retaining the opening eight events from 2026—IndyCar President Doug Boles recently indicated that an international event outside North America was under active consideration. If confirmed, a race in Goiânia would likely fit into the schedule gap between June and September.
The potential addition of Goiânia comes alongside other major international developments, including Rinus VeeKay commenting on Juncos Hollinger Racing’s technical ties with McLaren and Yuki Tsunoda leaving the door open for an IndyCar drive in 2027. Meanwhile, Ford completed over 1,000 km of testing at Paul Ricard for its 2027 WEC Hypercar debut.
The 2026 NTT IndyCar Series returns to action this weekend with a doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile (Rounds 16 and 17) in West Allis, Wisconsin. GRANDE PRÊMIO provides full live coverage of all sessions. Follow all updates on our news page.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. Is IndyCar planning a race in Goiânia for 2027?
Yes, IndyCar management is optimistic about scheduling a race at the Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiânia, Brazil, for the 2027 season.
2. What track modifications are being made to the Goiânia circuit?
The circuit is undergoing a complete repaving of its track surface following asphalt breakdown issues experienced during earlier 2026 events.
3. When is the next round of the 2026 IndyCar season?
The 2026 season continues this weekend with a doubleheader event at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin.
