IndyCar 2023 season opener: Start time, TV, streaming, schedule for Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

It's time to rev your engines for a brand-new season of IndyCar!

The open-wheel series kicks off this weekend on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, for the first of 17 races this year.

The street course has hosted the first or second race of the IndyCar season every year since 2006, except for 2020 when it was moved to the last race of the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. St. Petersburg has hosted the season opener every year since 2011 with the exceptions of 2020 and 2021.

Will Power is the defending series champion after winning his second season title in 2022 and collecting his first in 2014. Scott Dixon has won six season championships — his most recent came in 2020 — and looks to tie the legendary A.J. Foyt for most in series history.

FULL SCHEDULE: Start times and TV networks for 2023 IndyCar season

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Here is all the information you need to get ready for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the first race of the NTT IndyCar Series 2023 season:

What time does the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg start?

The IndyCar season opener starts at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday in St. Petersburg, Florida.

What TV channel is the race on?

NBC is broadcasting the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and has a pre-race show beginning at Noon ET.

Will there be a live stream of the race?

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg can be live streamed on Peacock and the NBC Sports website.

How many laps is the race?

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is 100 laps around the 1.8-mile, 14-turn street course for a total of 180 miles.

When is practice and qualifying?

There is one practice session on Friday (3 p.m. ET) and one on Saturday (10 a.m. ET). Qualifying is scheduled to start Saturday at 2:15 p.m. ET. Both practice sessions and qualifying can be streamed on Peacock.

Who won the race last year?

Scott McLaughlin took the checkered flag at the 2022 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg for his first career IndyCar Series victory and the first of three wins last year. McLaughlin led 49 of 100 laps and edged Alex Palou by 0.509 seconds.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: IndyCar 2023: Start time, TV, streaming, for St. Petersburg Grand Prix