2011 IndyCar Series Schedule Thread..........

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2011 IndyCar Series Schedule Thread..........

Post by mlittle » Wed Aug 18, 2010 2:56 pm

With the 2010 schedule entering its' climatic conclusion, the topic inevitably turns to what the schedule for next year will be...............

First, a review of the 2010 calendar...............
Rd.1--14 March 2010, Sao Paulo Indy 300(Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Rd.2--29 March 2010, Honda Grand Prix of St. Pete(St. Pete., Fla.)
Rd.3--11 April 2010, Alabama Indy Grand Prix(Birmingham, Ala.)
Rd.4--18 April 2010, 36th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach(Long Beach, Ca.)
Rd.5--1 May 2010, RoadRunner Turbo Indy 300(Kansas City, Ks.)
Rd.6--30 May 2010, 94th Indianapolis 500(Indianapolis)
Rd.7--5 June 2010, Bombardier LearJet 550(Ft. Worth, Tx.)
Rd.8--20 June 2010, Iowa Corn Indy 250(Newton, Ia.)
Rd.9--4 July 2010, Camping World Indy Grand Prix(Watkins Glen, NY)
Rd.10--18 July 2010, Honda Indy Toronto(Toronto, Ont.)
Rd.11--25 July 2010, Honda Indy Edmonton(Edmonton, Alb.)
Rd.12--8 Aug. 2010, Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio(Lexington, Ohio)
Rd.13--22 Aug. 2010, Sonoma Indy Grand Prix(Sonoma, Ca.)
Rd.14--28 Aug. 2010, PEAK Antifreeze Indy 300(Joliet, Ill.)
Rd.15--4 Sept. 2010, Kentucky Indy 300(Sparta, Ky.)
Rd.16--18 Sept. 2010, Bridgestone Indy Japan 300(Motegi, Japan)
Rd.17--2 Oct. 2010, Miami Indy 300(Homestead, Fla.)

With at least two new venues(Baltimore, New Hampshire) already penciled in for 2011, expect at least one venue currently on the calendar to get dropped(current front-runners are Kansas, Homestead and possibly Watkins Glen). Anyway, this thread will follow the schedule's "silly season" along until the 2011 calendar is determined...........
Last edited by mlittle on Thu Nov 04, 2010 12:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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New Hampshire Returns to IRL With Aug. 14 Date

Post by mlittle » Wed Aug 18, 2010 3:01 pm

----The IZOD IndyCar Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2011 has been moved to Aug. 14, speedway executive vice president and general manager Jerry Gappens said. The race will be the first at the 1-mile oval in 13 years for IndyCars. The facility played host to one of the five Indy Racing League events in its inaugural year (Aug. 8, 1996) with Scott Sharp taking the checkered flag. It also was the site of Robbie Buhl’s first victory (Aug. 17, 1997) and Tony Stewart’s third (June 28, 1998). CART sanctioned races on the variably-banked (2 to 7 degrees) oval from 1992 to ’95.

“Because of the date changes with our NASCAR weekends, we had to move this much-anticipated event from its originally announced July 31 date to Aug. 14,” Gappens said. “With this change, it gives fans from New England, Canada and across the country three consecutive months of major racing events. This will be a tremendous boost to the economic benefit the speedway provides and increase in tourism to our great state.

“In addition, I really appreciate Randy Bernard and all of the officials of the IZOD Indy Cars Series for working with us to make this change. It creates some travel and logistical challenges for their group, but it further demonstrates their commitment to bringing open-wheel racing back to New England.”

Tickets for the IZOD Indy Car Series race are priced from $35 to $75 and can be ordered at www.nhms.com or by calling 603-783-4931. IZOD IndyCar Series officials continue to work on the remainder of the 2011 schedule.

New Hampshire International Speedway, which opened in 1990, was purchased in 2008 by Smith from Bob and Gary Bahre and renamed New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It is about an hour north of Boston and, according to the most recent census, more than 18 million people live within two hours of the picturesque venue.

“It's been my mission for three years to get IndyCar to New Hampshire on our schedule,” Gappens said at the June 27 news conference to announce the race weekend. “As an Indiana native and a fan of open-wheeled racing, I strongly believe that the people of New Hampshire will embrace this new breed of speed much like they do NASCAR. It's gratifying to see it finally on the schedule and now it's sort of like the dog who chased the truck. I caught it, but now I have to do something with it. I promise I'm going to work hard to sell this new event to fans everywhere."


Past Winners at New Hampshire...................
--Bobby Rahal(1): 1992
--Nigel Mansell(1): 1993
--Al Unser, Jr.(1): 1994
--Andre Ribiero(1): 1995
--Scott Sharp(1): 1996
--Tony Stewart(1): 1997
--Robbie Buhl(1): 1998
Last edited by mlittle on Thu Feb 24, 2011 6:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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It's a Labor Day Debut for Baltimore.......

Post by mlittle » Wed Aug 18, 2010 3:02 pm

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----The inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix will be held over Labor Day weekend 2011 (Sept. 2-4), Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Baltimore Racing Development announced.

The mayor and BRD also announced improvements to the circuit layout to allow for more fan attractions.

"We are very excited to be able to schedule the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix for the weekend that we originally wanted," said Jay Davidson, president of the Baltimore Grand Prix and Baltimore Racing Development. "We have always planned to market the Baltimore Grand Prix as a destination event, and we are expecting race fans from throughout the region and around the world to travel to the race. Having the Grand Prix on Labor Day weekend makes it even easier for fans to make travel plans to attend this action-packed 'three day festival of speed' in downtown Baltimore."

Alterations to 12-turn course include moving pit lane from Russell Street on the west side of Oriole Park at Camden Yards to the east side of the complex in the shadows of the historic B&O Warehouse. With the new pit lane location, the racetrack will now circle Oriole Park.

Two turns have been added on Conway Street to slow the cars as they approach pit lane. The new layout also features reconfigured Turns 10 and 11, as the previous tight turns become sweeping "S" turns back onto the long Pratt Street straight. The first four turns remain unchanged. The race weekend also will include Firestone Indy Lights.
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Texas Two-Step for 2011

Post by mlittle » Wed Aug 18, 2010 3:10 pm

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----Bobby Unser vividly remembers winning both ends of an Indy car doubleheader in June 1979 at Trenton, N.J., while prevailing in the second of twin 126-mile races five weeks later at Michigan International after starting 18th was particularly memorable to the three-time Indianapolis 500 champion. “It’s two completely different races, which is exciting for the drivers and fans,” Unser said. “It was like a trophy dash; just run like heck for however many miles it was and then come in and redo the car.”

On June 11, 2011, the IZOD IndyCar Series and Texas Motor Speedway will revisit the exciting and intense twin race format on the same evening. The Firestone Texas Two-Step was introduced Aug. 17 by IZOD IndyCar Series CEO, three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves and Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage before a crowd of more than 1,600 at the House of Blues in Dallas.

The newly named Firestone Twin 275s – formerly the Firestone 550k – will consist of two full-field 275-kilometer races (171 miles/114 laps each) with two race winners being recognized by the sanctioning body. Half points will be awarded in both races. How the starting field will be set for either or both events -- along with the time allotment between races -- are still to be determined, according to IZOD IndyCar Series president of competition and racing operations Brian Barnhart.

“I think it is important that we elevate all of our races to give them a big-event feel,” said Bernard, noting the format will be a first for the series and racetrack. “Eddie Gossage and Texas Motor Speedway certainly are taking things to the next level with the Firestone Texas Two-Step doubleheader. It was a concept that was first run by USAC in the 1960s, so it plays on an Indy car tradition but also brings a new no limits feel to the event. Texas has been known for producing some of the most exciting races on the circuit, so fans will be able to double their fun in 2011.”

The Texas date will be the first race following the Indianapolis 500 on May 29 and return the off-week between the events that was scheduled from Texas Motor Speedway’s inaugural 1997 season through 2005. The IZOD IndyCar Series has raced at the facility in Fort Worth, Texas, 21 times, including twice in the same season seven times. Team Penske's Ryan Briscoe won this season's race, holding off Danica Patrick of Andretti Autosport.

“We have a special racing season in store for the fans of Texas Motor Speedway,” Gossage said. “Randy and I discussed hosting twin races when he first took the job heading the Indy Racing League. The concept has Indy car history to it, but at the same time provides a new dynamic event to our fans as well as the drivers themselves.

“Texas Motor Speedway traditionally has hosted some of the series’ most exciting races and the Firestone Twin 275s’ format should provide plenty more in the future. Drivers have two shots at winning and fans get an opportunity to see not one but two great races in one evening. It should be a tremendous show.”

There were 17 doubleheaders (nine on ovals) under USAC and CART sanction from 1967-81, with a driver sweeping both races 10 times. The grid for the second race was determined by finishing order in the first contest in all 17 events.

On July 15, 1979, at the 2-mile Michigan International Speedway, Unser started from the pole and led eight of the first 21 laps in the first of the Norton Twin 125s before the Penske Norton Spirit PC-9 blew an engine. “There wasn’t much time between races,” Unser said. “In our particular case, we had to change the engine so the mechanics had to really work fast.”

Starting 18th of 21 in the second race, Unser worked his way to the front and led the final 35 laps. Tom Sneva finished second and Al Unser third. Gordon Johncock, who won the first race and started from the pole in the second, finished fourth. “I just had to guess at everything, start the race and if it was OK then I guess I was pretty good,” Unser said. “I guess I was pretty good.”

Past American Open-Wheel Twin Races..........
--July 1, 1967: Mosport, Canada (road course; Bobby Unser and Bobby Unser)
--Aug. 6, 1967: St. Jovite, Canada (road course; Mario Andretti and Mario Andretti)
--June 15, 1968: Mosport, Canada (road course; Dan Gurney and Dan Gurney)
--July 21, 1968: Indianapolis Raceway Park (road course; Al Unser and Al Unser)
--July 28, 1968: Langhorne, Pa. (Al Unser and Al Unser)
--Aug. 4, 1968: St. Jovite, Canada (road course; Mario Andretti and Mario Andretti)
--July 27, 1969: Indianapolis Raceway Park (road course; Dan Gurney and Peter Revson)
--Sept. 14, 1969: Brainard, Minn. (road course; Gordon Johncock and Dan Gurney)
--Oct. 19, 1969: Kent, Wash. (road course; Mario Andretti and Al Unser)
--Feb. 28, 1971: Rafaela, Argentina (Al Unser and Al Unser)
--April 15, 1973: Trenton, N.J. (A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti)
--Sept. 16, 1973: Michigan International (Billy Vukovich and Johnny Rutherford)
--Sept. 22, 1974: Trenton, N.J. (A.J. Foyt and Bobby Unser)
--April 22, 1979: Atlanta (Johnny Rutherford and Johnny Rutherford)
--June 10, 1979: Trenton, N.J. (Bobby Unser and Bobby Unser)
--July 15, 1979: Michigan International (Gordon Johncock and Bobby Unser)
--June 28, 1981: Atlanta (Rick Mears and Rick Mears)
note.......races from 1967-1974 held under USAC sanction; races from 1979-1981 held under CART sanction
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2011 Iowa Race To Go Under the Lights

Post by mlittle » Sun Aug 29, 2010 6:53 am

(from AP sources)
---The Iowa Corn Indy 250 at Iowa Speedway will be under the lights for the first time in 2011.

“With our new Iowa Corn Indy 25’ date on Saturday night, June 25th – the weekend after Father’s Day – we are like kids at Christmastime,” said Jerry Jauron, Iowa Speedway President and Chief Financial Officer. "I can only imagine the power and spectacle of IndyCars under the lights – what an amazing show that will be.”

Tony Kanaan won the 2010 race. In addition to the IZOD IndyCar Series cars under the lights, the June 24-25 race weekend also will feature a return of the Firestone Indy Lights Series and USAC Midget and Silver Crown races.

“IndyCar weekend in 2011 is going to be an open-wheel race fan’s dream come true,” Jauron said. “The best open-wheel series at the best oval track facility in America, all on the same weekend." Additional information about the facility and tickets is available at www.iowaspeedway.com.
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Post by mlittle » Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:03 am

Current Dates, 2011 IndyCar Series Season
May 29th--95th Indianapolis 500, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
June 11th--Texas Twin 275s', Texas Motor Speedway
June 25th--Iowa Corn Indy 250, Iowa Speedway
August 14th--New Hampshire 200, New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Sept. 4th--Baltimore Indy Grand Prix, Streets of Baltimore
Oct. 2nd--Kentucky Indy 300, Kentucky Motor Speedway

Remaining Dates to be set for 2011
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Streets of St. Petersburg(St. Pete., Fla.)
Barber Motorsports Park
Streets of Long Beach(Long Beach, Ca.)
Kansas Speedway*
Watkins Glen International
Exhibition Place, Toronto
Edmonton Centre City Airport
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Complex
Infineon Raceway
Chicagoland Speedway*
Twin Ring Motegi(Motegi, Japan)
Homestead-Miami Speedway*
*--not expected to return in 2011
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Schedule To Be Announced Next Week

Post by mlittle » Sat Sep 04, 2010 3:59 pm

(from multiple sources)
----SPARTA, Ky. – The IZOD IndyCar Series will announce its 2011 schedule Sept. 10. Details will follow. Kentucky Speedway general manager Mark Simendinger is expected to confirm before the Kentucky Indy 300 the series' 2011 date at the track (Oct. 1-2). Already announced were dates for the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix (Sept. 3-4), Texas Motor Speedway doubleheader (June 10-11), Indianapolis 500 (May 29) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Aug. 14). A 17-race (Texas counted as one event) schedule is expected.
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2011 Schedule Announced at Milwaukee.........

Post by mlittle » Sat Sep 11, 2010 2:57 pm

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---WEST ALLIS, Wis. -- During a Firestone tire test 10 days ago at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan expressed their desire for an increased number of short tracks on the IZOD IndyCar Series calendar.

A return of the series to the 1-mile oval in Loudon, N.H., after a 13-year absence was announced back in June, which was paired with the fifth annual race at the .875-mile Iowa Speedway for 2011. Now the former series champions, who have a combined 10 short-oval victories, will have the opportunity to compete at The Milwaukee Mile again on June 19.

The historic racetrack is among 17 venues the IZOD IndyCar Series will visit in 2011 (the 17th – the season finale on an oval in October – will be announced at a later date). The schedule was unveiled in the infield of The Mile, where the series competed from 2004-09 and which has played host to sanctioned Indy car races since before World War II, by IZOD IndyCar Series CEO Randy Bernard. “It’s the best short track in the country,” said Dixon, the 2009 race winner. “I can’t wait to go back because the racing is mega. Who can beat over 100 years of racing at one place?”

New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Aug. 14) and the Baltimore Grand Prix (Sept. 4) are new events for 2011. St. Petersburg’s scenic and challenging street course will play host to the opener March 27. The 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, preceded by two weeks of practice and qualifications, is scheduled for May 29. Special Centennial Era activities are planned for the month.

The lineup again is the most diverse in motorsport – eight ovals, six street circuits and three permanent road courses.

“It was important that the IZOD IndyCar Series continue to strike a balance between ovals and non-ovals to maintain our claim to the most diverse racing schedule in the world,” Bernard said. “We want to have the best drivers in the world, and it’s important that our schedule truly challenges the best through short ovals, speedways, temporary circuits and road courses."

Returning to The Mile -- because of its Indy car history and exciting on-track product -- was a priority for Bernard.

“As tomorrow marks the 107th anniversary of the first race ever held at The Milwaukee Mile, it is only appropriate that we hold our 2011 schedule unveiling at this facility today,” he said. “We all appreciate the heritage and legacy of this sport while looking at all the new opportunities we have to grow.

“IndyCar is entering a new and exciting era. Fortunately, this brings opportunities with new venues and promoters that are fully aligned with our strategy moving forward. We are committed to working with our partners and listening to our fans about what they want as we do and what is in the best interest of the sport.

“The Milwaukee Mile is an important track in the heritage and legacy of open-wheel racing in the U.S. The fans have been passionate about seeing it return to the schedule so we're pleased we could deliver it.”

The Milwaukee Mile, which has been operated as part of the Wisconsin State Fair since 1891, did not play host to the IZOD IndyCar Series this year because of the lack of a promoter approved by the Fair Park Board, which was forced to terminate the contract with the existing promoter following the ’09 racing season.

AB Promotions -- a joint venture between Avocado Motorsports Marketing and BMG Event Productions -- has filled that gap for 2011. Avocado, a Carmel, Ind.-based company, also has a tie with The Mile – managing director Chris McGrath’s father, Richard, was general manager of the racetrack in the 1980s.

AB Promotions will use three-tiered pricing for the 40,000-seat venue, and it will work closely with state government and business leaders and the Wisconsin State Fair Park Board on promotional activities and sponsorship opportunities. Call 800-722-3840 or go to www.milwaukeemile2011.com for ticket info.

"We are also optimistic about continuing the efforts in subsequent years, so we are highly driven to make this a successful and enjoyable event for all parties involved," said McGrath, who noted the company has negotiated with the Wisconsin State Fair Park Board and the IZOD IndyCar Series to secure a long-term agreement.

"We recognize the challenges The Milwaukee Mile has experienced in recent years. We’re certain that we can deliver an exciting event weekend using a simple, financially well-grounded approach. We want to be back for 2012, building an even higher-value event on the solid foundation of success established in 2011.”

BMG Event Productions, which this year has overseen the successful IZOD "Race to the Party" promotion among other series-related ventures, will handle all aspects of event management, including facilities and equipment oversight and operation, as well as logistics for all associated entertainment and activities.

"While there is nothing like the thrill of a great competition among the cars and drivers on the track, we have some excellent strategies for creating added value for both race sponsors and event guests off the track, too," company president George Sechrist said. "Our partnership with Avocado will be a great way to make sure Father’s Day weekend in Milwaukee is a great time for everyone.”

Kanaan, who won at the track in 2006 and ’07, said he appreciates the technical nature of competing on the flat track in addition to its history.

“Having Milwaukee back on the schedule is great for the IZOD IndyCar Series and something that I am very happy about,” said Kanaan, who enters the penultimate race of the season (at Twin Ring Motegi on Sept. 19) with fourth- and fifth-place finishes his past two oval races. “There is so much history with that track and it is a driver’s track. I think you can ask any driver and they will always prefer to go to a place where they can make a difference in their outcome – a place where it is as much driver as it is car. That is what Milwaukee is all about.

“One of the real strengths of our series and of our championship is that it is not one-dimensional. You have to be good on all kinds of circuits if you want to be a contender for the title. And the short ovals play a big part in that. With three of them on the schedule for next year, it is going to demand that you are on top of your game and are up to the challenge.”
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