The NTT IndyCar Series races under the lights tonight. The Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix runs 300 laps around the 1.33-mile concrete oval at Nashville Superspeedway. Josef Newgarden opens as the betting favorite at +225, and he arrives with a strong reason for the price. He won last year’s finale here to close the 2025 season. Kyle Kirkwood starts on pole, while championship leader Alex Palou lines up fourth. Our headline pick backs the oval master to defend his Nashville crown. A longer-priced value play and two secondary angles follow below.
Last Updated: Sunday, July 19, 2026
2026 Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix — Time & How to Watch
| Where | Nashville Superspeedway, Lebanon, TN |
| When | Sunday, July 19 – 5:30 PM ET |
| TV | FOX |
Pre-Race Report
Kyle Kirkwood claimed his first pole of the 2026 season on Saturday. He edged Josef Newgarden with a two-lap average of 196.852 mph in the No. 27 Andretti Global Honda. Newgarden qualified second at 196.642 mph in the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet. Scott McLaughlin lines up third, and Palou takes fourth. Scott Dixon and Alexander Rossi complete the top six.
This event looks different from years past. The race moved to July and became a night race for 2026. Organizers also extended the distance from 225 laps to 300. That change adds roughly 100 miles and reshapes fuel and tire strategy. Marcus Ericsson starts 10th, and former series champion Will Power rolls off 14th. The front of the grid is set as qualified, with the series regulars all in their expected cars.
2026 Music City Grand Prix — Top Odds to Win
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Josef Newgarden | +225 |
| Alex Palou | +450 |
| Kyle Kirkwood | +450 |
| Scott McLaughlin | +700 |
| Christian Rasmussen | +1200 |
| David Malukas | +1200 |
| Scott Dixon | +1200 |
| Pato O’Ward | +1600 |
| Marcus Armstrong | +2500 |
| Alexander Rossi | +3000 |
Odds accurate as of Sunday, July 19, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest IndyCar Odds – Props
Top Pick to Win — Josef Newgarden
The Pick: Josef Newgarden to win (+225). Nashville Superspeedway rewards oval craft, and few drivers read an oval better. Newgarden won this race a year ago, and he already has an oval victory in 2026 at World Wide Technology Raceway. He starts on the front row in a Team Penske Chevrolet, the manufacturer the market favors tonight. That combination of proven pace, race-winning history at the venue, and a strong starting spot explains why he tops the board.
The price is the obvious concern. His +225 carries an implied probability near 30.8 percent, so the margin for error is thin. He also starts behind polesitter Kirkwood, who has already won on an oval himself. Palou brings the most consistent car in the series and can win from fourth. The stretched 300-lap format adds fuel cycles and traffic that can undo even the fastest entry. Backing Newgarden means trusting his execution as much as his speed.
Still, the case for the favorite is grounded in results, not reputation. When an oval specialist defends a track he owns from the front row, the short price is at least defensible. We will side with him on top.
Value Play — David Malukas
The Pick: David Malukas to win (+1200). Malukas has been the near-man of 2026. He has stacked runner-up finishes, including the closest Indianapolis 500 result on record when Felix Rosenqvist beat him by a fraction. He drives the No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet, part of the manufacturer group the market prefers on this concrete oval. At +1200, he offers real upside for a driver who keeps knocking on the door.
The counterpoint is simple. Malukas has not yet closed out a victory, and converting seconds into a first win is the hardest step in the sport. He also starts outside the front rows and will need clean stops and clear track to contend late. However, his speed has been there all year. A longer green-flag run at night could finally hand him the break he has been missing.
Race Day Outlook — Picks and Final Thoughts
The feed offers two secondary markets worth a look. The Pick: Chevrolet as the winning manufacturer (-175). Chevrolet stocks the top of the market with Newgarden, McLaughlin, O’Ward, Malukas and Power. The bowtie brand has clear depth on ovals this season. The case against is real, though. Honda holds the pole with Kirkwood and the points lead with Palou, so this is closer to a lean than a runaway.
The Pick: David Malukas over Pato O’Ward (-150) in the head-to-head. Malukas has been the steadier driver across 2026, while O’Ward has traded strong runs with rough days. The risk is that O’Ward’s ceiling is higher, and one clean night can flip the result. On current form, we prefer Malukas to finish ahead.
Strategy will decide plenty tonight. The jump to 300 laps opens more pit windows and puts fuel mileage in play during the closing stint. Track position matters on a concrete oval, so restarts and traffic management carry weight. Cooler night conditions can also shift grip as the race unfolds. Watch how the leaders manage tire wear before the final sequence of stops.
Here is the full card. Josef Newgarden to win at +225 is our top play. David Malukas to win at +1200 is the value angle. Chevrolet as winning manufacturer at -175 and Malukas over O’Ward at -150 round out the secondary picks. For the full market breakdown, see our Music City Grand Prix odds preview, and revisit our recent IndyCar predictions for form context.
2026 Music City Grand Prix Sunday July 19, 2026 FAQ
Who is the favorite to win the 2026 Music City Grand Prix?
Josef Newgarden is the favorite at +225. He won this race in 2025 and starts on the front row at Nashville Superspeedway.
When is the 2026 Music City Grand Prix?
The race is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026, with a start time of 5:30 PM ET at Nashville Superspeedway.
What channel is the Music City Grand Prix on?
The 2026 Music City Grand Prix will be broadcast on FOX.
Who is on pole for the 2026 Music City Grand Prix?
Kyle Kirkwood won the pole with a two-lap average of 196.852 mph in the No. 27 Andretti Global Honda. Josef Newgarden qualified second.
Who won the Music City Grand Prix last year?
Josef Newgarden won the 2025 Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway, which served as that season’s finale.
How many laps is the 2026 Music City Grand Prix?
The 2026 race runs 300 laps around the 1.33-mile Nashville Superspeedway oval. The distance was extended from 225 laps.