NASHVILLE — One of the greatest entertainment and destination cities in the United States knows how to put on a big production. And beginning in 2024, the NTT IndyCar Series finale will be another headline event for Music City, USA.
IndyCar and the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix officials announced Thursday evening that the 2024 NTT IndyCar Series finale is moving to Nashville on Sept. 13-15, 2024.
The race will be held on a new circuit directly down Broadway’s iconic Honky-Tonk Row home to bars owned by the biggest names in country music, including Luke Bryan, Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean and Alan Jackson.
Each day of racing will culminate with a takeover of Broadway and a massive street party that features live performances by many of music’s biggest artists.
The NTT IndyCar Series champion will be honored the following night as Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center will host the IndyCar Victory Lap Celebration on Sept. 16, 2024.
More than 250,000 fans are expected to converge on downtown Nashville for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix this weekend, which quickly has become one of the sport’s marquee events since its debut in 2021. Next year, it will become a championship crowning celebration watched by viewers around the globe.
The new 2.17-mile, seven-turn circuit retains the iconic Korean Veterans Memorial Bridge and routes directly past the Country Music Hall of Fame and through the city’s honky-tonk district.
“The fact that IndyCar has chosen Nashville and The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix as the crowning event is a testament to our fans, partners, stakeholders and truly the Nashville hospitality industry as a whole,” said Matt Crews, CEO, Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. “The ability to promote our city and state year-round and bring our race into the heart of Nashville is an absolute honor and will continue to grow the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix to levels I never dreamed could have been possible.”
Considered one of the world’s finest venues, Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center will host the 2024 IndyCar Victory Lap Celebration on September 16, 2024.
Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the building boasts distinctive design elements that pay homage to history, culture, and people of Middle Tennessee. The Schermerhorn has been a favorite venue for legendary artists spanning different genres, from country music stars like Dolly Parton to contemporary pop sensations like Harry Styles.
“Nashville and the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix team are ready to host a can’t-miss, action-packed event that transforms the NTT IndyCar Series season finale and elevates it to an even higher peak on the global stage,” said Mark Miles, President & CEO of Penske Entertainment Corp. “Next year’s race in Nashville will be an unbridled celebration of the most fierce and competitive motorsport on the planet, set against the backdrop of an innovative and breathtaking stage that includes one of the premier global entertainment districts in the world. We’ll have more to share soon on an entire weekend of activities both on and off track that fully taps into the growing reach and relevance of an ascendant and marquee city.”
While the season finale is moving to Nashville, this year’s final venue on the schedule, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., will remain on the schedule. More details about next year’s schedule will be forthcoming.
“WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca remains a beloved, historic venue for our teams, drivers and fans in an important and scenic market,” Miles said.
The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix has become one of Tennessee’s marquee events, bringing fans from all 50 states and dozens of countries annually. With a global TV audience in more than 200 countries and territories the Grand Prix puts our state on a worldwide stage like no other event.
“This announcement takes this to the next level as Tennessee will become a season long focus allowing us to promote our thriving industries like, hospitality, music, manufacturing – and now more than ever, world-class racing – across the entire IndyCar season.” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “We’re home to the two-time series champion and current Indianapolis 500 champion, Josef Newgarden, so it just makes sense. With the national and international spotlight on Nashville the world will see what Tennesseans already know to be True – that there’s no better stage for racing than Music City.”
This year’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix begins Friday. It’s a three-day premier festival of racing and music featuring the NTT IndyCar Series, Indy NXT, GT America, GR Cup, the Big Machine Spiked Cooler Trans-Am TA2 Series and Stadium SUPER Trucks.