IndyCar World – Twelve IndyCar drivers—each representing a World Cup country—will appear in special national-team-inspired firesuits and helmets during the June 7 Bommarito Automotive Group 500 broadcast at World Wide Technology Raceway. With World Cup kickoff less than a mon
When IndyCar cars roll into World Wide Technology Raceway outside of St. Louis on Sunday, June 7, they will do it under a different kind of pressure—one that looks like national team kits.
Twelve drivers from the NTT IndyCar Series will step into World Cup hype for FOX by wearing special firesuits and helmets designed as tributes to their respective countries’ uniforms. The promotional spot is set to air as part of the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 broadcast. with the race starting at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.
The shoot had the same feel as the sport itself: a high-voltage grid, but with room for laughter. Alex Palou, the current IndyCar leader and four-time series champion, described it as a break from his usual routine after he and the others suited up for something unfamiliar.
“We’re just doing something that we’re not used to doing,” Palou said in a phone interview from set. “So it’s just been very fun.”
Josef Newgarden, a two-time champion, said the energy during the video and photo sessions was just as intense off-track as it is on it.
“The energy’s very high,” Newgarden added.
Newgarden, who races for Team Penske and is from Hendersonville, Tennessee, pointed to the matchup between his home country hosting the World Cup and FOX’s role in carrying IndyCar.
“We’re all proud to be able to host the World Cup here in the United States and certainly proud of FOX’s involvement and think they’re gonna do a great job displaying it. ” he said. “We love that for them because they televise our product in IndyCar and we think they do a fantastic job. So to have a little bit of crossover and energy within the promotion is exciting right now.”.
For Palou, the connection runs deeper than promotion.
He is one of the soccer/football experts on the IndyCar grid and will represent Spain. After winning last year’s Indy 500, Palou brought the Borg-Warner Trophy to a match for FC Barcelona, his hometown club.
“I love soccer. It’s a huge deal for Spain,” Palou said. “It’s by far our biggest sport. And although I’ve never been very good at playing, since I was a kid I struggled playing, but honestly I’ve been following since I knew the sport.”
Palou, who has won the past three IndyCar titles, said Spain’s form on the pitch is a motivating thread he carries into racing.
“It’s absolutely motivating for me when La Roja is doing well on the pitch for me to continue performing on the track. ” he said. “It’s just very cool that Spain is so good, right?. Although being a very small country. we have options to battle and to fight for wins or at least to fight for the championship.”.
He is also watching the World Cup through the lens of a fan who appreciates the next generation. Like the rest of the world, Palou is looking forward to the tournament debut of Lamine Yamal. He said he was grateful to watch the teenage sensation play in person during a Barça match.
“He’s so good. He’s so young,” Palou said. “It’s super exciting to see someone that is that young playing at the level that he’s playing and just getting better and better. In Spain, everybody’s crazy with Lamine. I understand it. I had the pleasure, as I said, to see him play live. It’s pretty remarkable. So hopefully he does an amazing job at this World Cup.”.
Marcus Ericsson’s World Cup connection is personal in a different way. For him, the moment came when he met Zlatan Ibrahimović after the Swede played for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
“That was really cool,” Ericsson said.
Ericsson, who won the 2022 Indianapolis 500 and previously had a stint in Formula 1, said he’s glad Sweden is back in the World Cup after missing the 2022 tournament. He also emphasized the added meaning of the United States co-hosting the event.
“We had some bad years, so it’s great for us as a country to be back in the World Cup,” said the Andretti Global driver. “It’s fun for me living here in the U.S. to have Sweden play here.”
Like Palou, Ericsson framed his pride in country size and momentum.
“I’m very proud to be Swedish. We’re quite a small country, but it’s cool to be here in the U.S. and on a world stage like IndyCar race and represent my country,” Ericsson said. “And I know a lot of people are following me back home in Sweden, so it’s something I’m very proud of.”
Pato O’Ward brought a quieter relationship to the sport. He said he isn’t a big soccer fan, but he understands what the World Cup means in Mexico—especially with matches planned across Mexico City, Guadalajara and his hometown of Monterrey.
“I know everyone there is quite the fanatic for football, so it’s obviously something that I have known ever since I was a child,” the McLaren driver said. “I personally never really played ‘cause I wasn’t very good. But I know it’s part of the culture for sure.”
He called his World Cup firesuit “really cool.” Designed with a look similar to Mexico’s green adidas home kit with red stripes, it’s another way O’Ward said he carries El Tri’s identity with him.
“As the only Mexican driver on the IndyCar grid. O’Ward is grateful to represent the same spirit that El Tri shares with the world. one of energy. ” he said. “I’ve always worn it very proudly on my back everywhere that I go. so it’s cool that not only we have the World Cup and the team that’s going to be participating throughout. I get to do it also in a pretty similar way. but just in a racecar.”.
Newgarden, meanwhile, is a passionate soccer fan and a known supporter of Liverpool in the English Premier League. Even with the World Cup’s temptation to root for England, he said his allegiance is clear.
“I think there’s a lot of desire to see England win one. I feel like there’s a lot of heartbreak for that country. but I’ve gotta back the United States. ” Newgarden said. “I wanna see them do well. I’m not sure how far we can go, but I think with anything, you just never know. So I’ll definitely support our country and more than anything. just excited to watch and see the energy that we’re gonna have on display right in our backyard.”.
He also said the firesuit and helmet for the promotion reminded him of Evel Knievel.
“It looks like I may jump the Grand Canyon,” he laughed.
Will Power found nostalgia in the design as well. Wearing Australia’s green and gold, Power said it brought him back to his earlier days in racing, including his Champ Car debut and his 2006 Rookie of the Year finish with Team Australia.
“It reminds me of when I first came over here and I was driving for Team Australia,” Power said. “The green and gold, it’s really cool. I love the suit they made.”
Power said soccer wasn’t popular yet in Australia when he was growing up—rugby was king. He believes football has grown in roughly the last decade, and he expects the Socceroos to show the grit his country is known for even as they enter the tournament as underdogs.
“I’m really hoping for a great World Cup for Australia,” he said. “I think it’s a really good team. Obviously, very tough competition, but I know the Australian mentality and attitude, they like to fight hard, so it’s gonna be fun to watch.”
Reflecting on his own journey from the small city of Toowoomba to St. Louis, Power said, “I understand the fight.”
Scott Dixon, from New Zealand, spoke as Australia’s rival in the World Cup picture. He said he enjoyed seeing group chatter while the promotion was being shot and added that he hopes to attend a match in person.
“I think our chances are somewhat slim compared to some of the others, but always good to have a bit of banter,” Dixon said. “I think our chances are somewhat slim compared to some of the others, but always good to have a bit of banter,” Dixon said, noting he hopes to attend a match in person.
Dixon also mentioned that he had briefly heard about Tim Payne. an All Whites rising star who went from four thousand to five million Instagram followers weeks before the World Cup kickoff. Dixon said Payne’s journey—from an unknown role at Wellington Phoenix to potentially shining globally—has been “fantastic.”.
The six-time IndyCar champion was knighted by his country last year, and he said he is appreciative of New Zealand’s motorsport legacy—one that includes Formula 1 champion Denny Hulme and the co-founder of McLaren, Bruce McLaren.
“I think New Zealand definitely packs a pretty big punch considering it’s only a small couple of islands,” Dixon said. “… I take great pride in flying the flag on a world stage and all the successes that come with it.”
Alongside Palou. Newgarden. Ericsson. O’Ward. Power and Dixon. the rest of the drivers participating in the IndyCar promotion for the 2026 World Cup are Caio Collet (Brazil). Dennis Hauger (Norway). Louis Foster (England). Mick Schumacher (Germany). Rinus VeeKay (Netherlands) and Romain Grosjean (France).
The World Cup begins on Thursday, June 11 when Mexico takes on South Africa in Mexico City. The United States opens its journey on Friday, June 12 against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
The promotional firesuits and helmets may be a pre-race diversion—but for the drivers wearing them, the event is already emotionally charged, with pride arriving in colors, crests and kit-inspired designs just in time for kickoff.
IndyCar NTT IndyCar Series World Cup 2026 FOX Bommarito Automotive Group 500 World Wide Technology Raceway Alex Palou Josef Newgarden Pato O'Ward Will Power Scott Dixon Marcus Ericsson Spain United States Mexico Sweden Australia