Portland International Raceway

Track Info

Location	Portland, Oregon
Type	Permanent Road Course
Length	1.964 miles (3.161 km)
Turns	12
Surface	Asphalt
Capacity	~63,000 (23,000 reserved + 40,000 GA)
Opened	1961

Track Characteristics

Portland International Raceway holds a special place in American open-wheel racing history. The 1.964-mile circuit has hosted IndyCar racing in various forms since 1984, and its 12-turn layout through the flat parkland of West Delta Park delivers consistently entertaining racing. The Festival Curves chicane at Turns 1-2 is the track's signature section, forcing cars to brake hard from the front straight and navigate a tight left-right sequence that often produces first-lap drama.

The track is relatively flat, which means aerodynamic grip is everything. Cars run with maximum downforce, and the flowing nature of the middle sector rewards drivers who can maintain momentum through the connected turns. The back straight offers the primary overtaking zone, with heavy braking into the tight Turn 12 hairpin creating wheel-to-wheel battles on nearly every lap.

Portland's Pacific Northwest setting brings an element of weather unpredictability. While summer races typically enjoy warm, dry conditions, the occasional rain shower can transform the race entirely. The city itself has a passionate motorsport fanbase that has supported racing at this venue for decades, and the IndyCar weekend has become a major summer event for the region.

Getting There

Nearest Airport	Portland International Airport (PDX) - approximately 10 miles east of the track. One of the most conveniently located airports for any IndyCar venue.
Nearest City	Portland, OR (the track is within the city, in the West Delta Park area near the Columbia River).

Series That Race Here

• NTT IndyCar Series - Grand Prix of Portland
• Indy NXT by Firestone - Support race
• Historic: CART/Champ Car (1984-2007)

2026 Event Info

Race Name	Grand Prix of Portland
Round	13 of 17
Date	August 9, 2026
TV	FOX
Race Time	4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT
Qualifying	Firestone Fast 6 knockout format

Track Record

Note	IndyCar qualifying laps at Portland typically run in the 56-58 second range

Notable Past Races

• 2023: Alex Palou won the Grand Prix of Portland in commanding fashion, building an unassailable lead that helped cement his second IndyCar championship.
• 2021: Alex Palou clinched his first IndyCar championship at Portland with a composed drive that showed maturity beyond his years.
• 2019: Will Power won from pole position in the IndyCar's return to Portland after a one-year absence, reminding everyone why the Pacific Northwest is an essential stop.
• 2018: Takuma Sato won the first IndyCar race at Portland since 2007, marking the reunification-era series' return to one of its most historic venues.
• 1984: Al Unser Jr. won the first PPG IndyCar World Series race at Portland, beginning the track's four-decade relationship with American open-wheel racing.

Track Facts

• The Festival Curves (Turns 1-2) chicane is one of the most famous first-corner complexes in IndyCar, producing frequent opening-lap incidents and dramatic battles.
• Portland International Raceway was originally built on the site of a city of public housing called Vanport, which was destroyed by a catastrophic flood in 1948.
• The track opened in 1961 and has hosted nearly continuous motorsport events for over six decades.
• Portland International Airport (PDX) is one of the closest major airports to any IndyCar venue, making it exceptionally convenient for traveling fans.
• The CART/Champ Car Portland races in the 1990s and early 2000s were among the highest-attended events in the series, drawing passionate Pacific Northwest crowds.

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