Penske Entertainment takes over as Nashville promoter

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Penske Entertainment has taken over the promotions of the NTT IndyCar Series season finale at Nashville Speedway.

The change comes after Scott Borchetta's Big Machine Music City GP promotions team put on the Nashville Grand Prix street race from 2021-23 and saved the event from being lost in 2024 when local construction for the new Tennessee Titans NFL stadium kicked the race out of its downtown location. Borchetta struck a multi-year deal with Speedway Motorsports Inc., owners of the previously unfavored Nashville Superspeedway, to host the salvaged farewell to the season.

Hailed for putting on a remarkable event at considerable cost with a venue that had fallen out of IndyCar's favor in the 2000s, Borchetta included a Friday launch party in downtown Nashville, added major music acts from his Big Machine Records company to perform at the 1.5-mile oval, and spent freely on promotions to drive ticket sales.

Big Machine's investment culminated in one of the best oval races of the season, but Penske Entertainment has interceded and will run the event. Borchetta will stay involved as sponsor of the event and hold another downtown Nashville event launch for the Aug. 30-31 race, which is held 30 minutes east in Lebanon, Tenn.

The unexpected change comes as Roger Penske's firm amasses more control over IndyCar's 17 events. Penske Entertainment is responsible for putting on the Long Beach Grand Prix, Indianapolis Grand Prix, Indianapolis 500, Detroit Grand Prix, Iowa Speedway doubleheader, Milwaukee, Nashville, is centrally involved in the upcoming Arlington Grand Prix for 2026 and is active in the formation of a long-desired street race in Denver that's tentatively scheduled for 2027.

Penske Entertainment offered no official comment when contacted, but RACER understands an official update from the series on the matter is forthcoming.