As IndyCar experiences a resurgence in popularity, the series is exploring new locations for races. Some of those sites are even outside of North America.
The series has had talks of having a race in Barranquilla, Colombia. On Friday, Barranquilla mayor Alejandro Char claimed a 2028 IndyCar race in Colombia was a done deal.
When translating Spanish to English via Microsoft Copilot, Char said, "IndyCar is now going to race with us. For the first time, it will leave North America, and in April 2028, IndyCar will race here, along the riverfront. Yes, IndyCar is going to race here."
IndyCar, however, disputes Char's matter-of-fact statement.
"We are frequently approached by parties interested in discussing IndyCar racing internationally," IndyCar told IndyStar. "We have met with representatives of Barranquilla in Indianapolis but have not yet visited the city ourselves. While the city is interested in hosting an IndyCar race in 2028, we are in the earliest stages of due diligence with this and other prospective opportunities. We are a long way from an agreement and any assumption otherwise is premature."
IndyCar has not held a race outside of North America since it raced on the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2013. There has been chatter about both a return to Brazil and a new race in Colombia, but neither has been finalized. With the series expected to finalize the second half of its 2027 schedule in the coming weeks, it's unclear what changes – if any – will be made to 2026's 18-race schedule.
Zion Brown is IndyStar's motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyCar disputes Colombian mayor's claim of new race in 2028
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