Kickoff party, Campers Golf Cart Parade, fireworks display, Camping with Honda and more set for Ohio’s biggest racing event
LEXINGTON, Ohio (June 24, 2026) – During America’s 250th birthday weekend, Ohio’s biggest racing event, The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid, is set for July 3-5 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. In addition to the 10 races headlined by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, fans can celebrate the Fourth of July with an array of off-track activities planned starting on Thursday, July 2.
The festivities begin with The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid Kickoff Party at The Local At 97 (58 OH-97) in Lexington, Ohio on Thursday, July 2, from 4:30 - 7 p.m. ET. Fans can meet Ohio’s INDYCAR race team - Meyer Shank Racing, based in Pataskala, featuring 2026 Indianapolis 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Armstrong. Additional INDYCAR drivers confirmed to attend include Columbus, Ohio’s own Graham Rahal and Romain Grosjean during the first hour to sign autographs. Fans can also enjoy live music from Ryan Otis Bandy, check out the official INDYCAR show car on display, enjoy food and beverage specials, and prize giveaways.
After a full day of on-track action plus an NTT INDYCAR SERIES autograph session on Friday, July 3, the off-track celebrations will continue with a Campers Golf Cart Parade where Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course’s weekend campers can decorate their golf carts or side-by-sides in patriotic red, white and blue and then take a lap of the 2.258-mile, 13-turn circuit. Then, shortly after sunset (approx. 9:05 p.m. ET), fans can enjoy a spectacular fireworks show over the 380-acre grounds.
On Independence Day, Saturday’s schedule includes five races, support series driver autograph sessions including with INDY NXT by Firestone drivers, and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying session. Additionally, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. ET, young fans are invited to meet at the pond south of the Mid-Ohio Tower for fishing, with rods and bait provided by Cabela’s while supplies last. After INDYCAR qualifying, in the late afternoon, the Camping with Honda tradition continues as Honda-powered NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers will tour the campground areas to meet fans and check out the festive, patriotic campsite decor. At 7 p.m. ET, campers and ticketed guests are invited to head to the “Esses” spectator mound to watch “Superman” (2025 edition) on the big screen between Turns 4 and 5.
Finally, the Sunday, July 5th lineup features three races, including the headliner 90-lap The Honda Indy 200 Presented by the 2027 CR-V Hybrid. Attendees can get involved in INDYCAR pre-race festivities by participating in the Fan Grid Walk from 11:50 a.m.- 12:20 p.m. ET, an opportunity to get up close to the cars on pit lane before the race begins. The command for INDYCAR drivers to start their engines at 12:45 p.m. ET, followed by the green flag waving over the field at 12:52 p.m. ET. Live national broadcast coverage on FOX begins at 12:30 p.m. ET.
More information about the assortment of fan activities planned from Thursday, July 2 to Sunday, July 5 can be found on the race schedule page at midohio.com.
Fan Activities Schedule:
Thursday, July 2
Kickoff Party at The Local At 97 - Lexington, Ohio (4:30 - 7 p.m. ET)
Friday, July 3
Campers Golf Cart Parade (Approx. 6 p.m. ET with staging starting at 5:30 p.m.)
Fireworks Show (After Dusk - Sunset is 9:05 p.m. ET)
Saturday, July 4
Fishing with Cabela’s (11 a.m. - 2 p.m. ET)
Camping with Honda (Late Afternoon)
"Superman" Movie in the Esses (7 p.m. ET)
Sunday, July 5
Fan Grid Walk (11:50 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. ET)
All event information including ticket options and pricing is posted online at midohio.com. Children 12 and under receive free general admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Follow the event on social media with #Honda200.
