KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 27 FEBRUARY – 2 MARCH WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁
From Texas to Thailand and across to Spain and Florida, it’s another globe-trotting weekend for Kiwi drivers and riders as multiple international campaigns continue — and several major championships burst into life.
Shane van Gisbergen headlines the action in the United States, tackling Round 3 of the NASCAR Cup Series at Circuit of the Americas. The road-course venue offers another valuable opportunity for the Trackhouse Racing driver to further cement his road-course dominance in the No. 97 Chevrolet.
He’ll also pull double duty, contesting the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (Xfinity Series) round, adding extra mileage to an already busy weekend.
The 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season opens on the streets of St. Petersburg, where Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske), Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) and Marcus Armstrong (Meyer Shank Racing) begin their championship campaigns on one of the calendar’s most unforgiving street circuits.
In Europe, Marco Giltrap returns to action in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe with Rounds 7 and 8 at Barcelona, continuing his development in the competitive one-make category.
Two-wheel action also ramps up, with Cormac Buchanan launching his 2026 Moto3 World Championship season at the Thailand Grand Prix, while Cole Davies lines up for Round 2 of the AMA Supercross Championship 250SX East Championship at Daytona.
It’s another full programme across multiple disciplines, with Kiwi talent spread around the globe as the 2026 season continues to build momentum.
Check out our detailed weekend preview below for everything you need to know, including session times, how to watch, and who’s racing where. ⬇️
Shane Van Gisbergen | NASCAR Cup Series & NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
- Where? Circuit of Americas, Texas
- NZ Times:
- Practice (O’Reilly Auto Parts Series): Saturday 11:00 AM
- Qualifying (O’Reilly Auto Parts Series): Saturday 12:05 PM
- Practice (Cup Series): Sunday 4:00 AM
- Qualifying (Cup Series): Sunday 5:10 AM
- Race (O’Reilly Auto Parts Series): Sunday 9:00 AM
- Race (Cup Series): Monday 9:30 AM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
Shane van Gisbergen heads to Circuit of the Americas this weekend with momentum on his side after a breakthrough performance at EchoPark Speedway.
In Atlanta, the Kiwi charged to sixth in the Autotrader 400 — his best-ever oval finish in the NASCAR Cup Series. Starting 28th after qualifying was cancelled, van Gisbergen battled car balance issues, survived contact that sent him spinning off track at high speed, and then spun again later in the race. The Kiwi fought back through the field twice and put his foot down during the two-lap overtime shootout to secure a milestone result for himself and Trackhouse Racing.
Now the championship turns to its first road course race of 2026 at COTA — a layout far more suited to the No.97 Chevrolet driver’s strengths. The technical Texas circuit presents a prime opportunity to build on last weekend’s confidence with yet another strong showing on familiar terrain.
Van Gisbergen will also complete his first double-duty weekend of the season, competing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with JR Motorsports. The extra track time could prove invaluable as he looks to maximise results across both categories.
➡️Auto Trader 400 Full Recap HERE
After a career-best oval finish, the focus now shifts to converting momentum into success on yet another road-course.
Scott McLaughlin, Scott Dixon & Marcus Armstrong | NTT IndyCar Series
- Where? Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Saturday 7:30 AM
- Practice 2: Sunday 3:30 AM
- Qualifying: Sunday 10:30 AM
- Race: Monday 6:00 AM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
The streets of Florida roar back to life this weekend as the 2026 NTT IndyCar Series season begins with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and three Kiwis will be in the fight from the outset.
Scott McLaughlin returns with Team Penske, aiming to start his championship charge in style. The street circuit has already been kind to the Kiwi, who stormed to pole position at St. Petersburg last year. With a strong pre-season pace and a proven one-lap package, the question heading into this weekend is simple — can he do it again?
Six-time series champion Scott Dixon begins yet another campaign with Chip Ganassi Racing, continuing one of the most decorated careers in modern motorsport. Dixon’s remarkable legacy will grow even further in May when he is inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026. The 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner will be formally honoured in downtown Indianapolis on May 21, just days before the 110th running of the Indy 500, alongside legendary Italian constructor Giampaolo Dallara.
Before that milestone moment arrives, Dixon’s focus remains firmly on adding a seventh title, and a strong opening weekend is always critical around the tight, unforgiving Florida streets.
Marcus Armstrong also enters the new season with momentum. Competing with Meyer Shank Racing, Armstrong was one of the standout performers across pre-season testing, finishing inside the Top 10 in every session. Impressively, McLaughlin and Dixon joined him among the drivers most frequently inside the Top 10, underlining the strength of the Kiwi contingent heading into Round 1.
With concrete walls, limited runoff and little margin for error, St. Petersburg traditionally rewards precision and patience. All three New Zealanders have shown encouraging pace in the build-up — now the focus turns to converting that speed into points as the 2026 title fight officially begins.
Marco Giltrap | Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe
- Where? Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Saturday 9:00 PM
- Qualifying: Saturday 10:40 PM
- Race 1: Sunday 12:50 AM
- Race 2: Sunday 3:00 AM
- How to Watch? Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe YouTube Channel
Marco Giltrap heads to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend for the season finale of the Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe, determined to bounce back after a challenging outing in Valencia.
Rounds 5 and 6 at Circuit Ricardo Tormo were a mixed bag for the Kiwi driver with Team75 Motorsport. Race 1 saw Giltrap fight his way to eighth, a solid drive amid tight competition, but Race 2 ended in disappointment. An incident with another driver left him stranded in a gravel trap after contact with the barriers on the final lap, forcing a DNF and leaving him eager to close the season on a stronger note.
Barcelona presents a fresh opportunity. The Spanish Grand Prix circuit is known for its high-speed corners and technical sections, rewarding precision and consistency — areas where Giltrap has shown speed throughout the season. With the championship finale on the line, the focus will be on maximising points and finishing the 2026 campaign on a high for both driver and Team75 Motorsport.
Cormac Buchanan | Moto3
- Where? Chang International Circuit, Thailand
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice 1: Friday 3:00 PM
- Practice: Friday 7:15 PM
- Free Practice 2: Saturday 2:40 PM
- Qualifying 1: Saturday 6:45 PM
- Qualifying 2: Saturday 7:10 PM
- Race: Sunday 6:00 PM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
Cormac Buchanan heads into the 2026 Moto3 World Championship season this weekend at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand, ready to build on the lessons of a challenging rookie year.
The 18-year-old Southlander wrapped up his debut season 20th in the standings with Denssi BOE Motorsports, a campaign marked by highs, lows, and valuable learning experiences. Buchanan secured three top-10 finishes, scored points in nine races, and even reached Q2 multiple times, showing flashes of genuine front-running pace despite injuries, crashes, and moments of lost confidence.
“FP1 was a nightmare,” he recalled from the final round in Valencia, where an oil spill and crash disrupted his weekend.
“Overall, there’s a lot to be proud of. We’ve been in the fight with the leaders on multiple weekends.”
Now, with experience in his corner and a full pre-season behind him, Buchanan heads to Thailand with renewed optimism. The Chang International Circuit is known for its fast straights and technical corners, and the Kiwi will be looking to translate last year’s flashes of speed into consistent results.
After a debut season full of challenges and learning moments, Buchanan enters 2026 determined to take the next step and make his mark in the Moto3 World Championship.
Cole Davies | AMA Supercross
- Where? Daytona International Speedway
- NZ Times:
- Qualifying 1: Sunday 12:30 AM – 1:16 AM
- Qualifying 2: Sunday 3:15 AM – 4:01 AM
- Heat 1: Sunday 7:06 AM
- Heat 2: Sunday 7:20 AM
- Last Chance Qualifier: Sunday 8:23 AM
- Main Race: Sunday 8:55 AM
- How to Watch? Super Motocross Video Pass
Cole Davies heads into Round 2 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship this weekend at Daytona International Speedway full of confidence after a strong recovery in Arlington.
The New Zealand rider showed pace and composure last weekend in the 250SX East Division, winning his heat race and battling back from a first-turn pile-up in the main event to secure a top-five finish. Despite the chaotic start, Davies methodically worked his way through the field, demonstrating both resilience and the speed needed to compete at the front.
Now at Daytona, one of the most iconic venues on the calendar, Davies will look to build on that momentum. The fast, technical layout and night racing conditions will test both skill and consistency, and the Kiwi has the opportunity to turn his early-season form into another strong points haul.
After showing he can recover from adversity and fight through the pack, Davies enters Round 2 poised to continue his charge in the 250SX East standings.
Header Image: NASCAR
