IndyCar 2015 race schedule announced

IndyCar has announced a diverse schedule for 2015, featuring 17 race events, two new race venues, two local Southern California races, and a total of six ABC and 13 NBCSN event broadcasts.  Variety will once again be the hallmark for much of the schedule, as the events will include six ovals, six road courses, and four temporary street circuits.  A total of 13 markets will make a return to the calendar from 2014.

The schedule's two Southern California races will occur on April 19 in Long Beach, and June 27 at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana.

"The Verizon IndyCar Series calendar represents another step forward in our strategy to grow the series," said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman Co., the parent of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "There were several factors that led to the positive momentum we experienced in 2014 and we will continue to execute on those initiatives - continuity in our broadcast schedule, strategic growth of our schedule and improvements to how we promote our events. The continued support from our television partners at ABC and NBCSN, and the ongoing collaboration with promoters, teams and sponsor partners gives us a lot of confidence about our future."

The season opens with the series' first visit to Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet in Brasília, Brazil (March 8, NBCSN) and will be followed on the calendar by INDYCAR's North American opener on the Streets of St. Petersburg (March 29, ABC), and its debut at New Orleans' NOLA Motorsports Park (April 12, NBCSN).

"Going back home to Brazil to start the season will be awesome - I'm looking forward to the new track in Brasília," said driver Helio Castroneves.  "An important part of the schedule will, of course, be the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and the Indy 500 followed by the only doubleheader on the calendar at the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans. I think some of the new markets and the new aero kit package will bring some exciting changes to the Verizon IndyCar Series and I know we'll be ready to go with the Hitachi/Shell-Pennzoil/AAA Chevy team."

Others also applauded the Brazil move.

"It's great to see the Verizon IndyCar Series going back to Brazil and expanding internationally," Andretti Autosport team owner Michael Andretti said. "Having a presence outside of the U.S. is important for the health of the series and a necessary part of growing the visibility and awareness opportunities in our industry."

Sonoma Raceway will host the Verizon IndyCar Series' season finale (Aug. 30, NBCSN), marking the first time an Indy car championship will end the season on a road course, dating back to the 2007 Champ Car finale at Mexico City.

"Sonoma has always been a great circuit for the Verizon IndyCar Series," said Scott Dixon, a three-time Verizon IndyCar Series champion and Indianapolis 500 winner. "People always ask what my favorite track is and I often say 'the last one I won at' so it's perfect for me and Team Target. It's a very technical and challenging track and the site of the biggest Target weekend each season from a partnership perspective."

The Month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will kick-off again with the Angie's List Grand Prix of Indianapolis (May 9, ABC) and will be followed by Indy 500 qualifications (May 16-17, ABC)  before the month culminates on Memorial Day weekend with the 99th Running of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race (May 24, ABC) on the famed 2.5-mile oval. Carb Day activities on May 22 will be broadcast live by NBCSN.

Pocono Raceway (Aug. 23, NBCSN) returns to the Verizon IndyCar Series schedule at the tail-end of a summer four-race oval swing that is highlighted by a return to Auto Club Speedway (June 27, NBCSN) as well as short oval events at the Milwaukee Mile (July 12, NBCSN) and Iowa Speedway (July 18, NBCSN).

"Returning to Pocono in 2015 is great news," said Tony Kanaan, 2004 Verizon IndyCar Series champion and former Indianapolis 500 winner. "The 'Tricky Triangle' is a very challenging racetrack for us and it provides great racing and excitement for the fans. Continuity is the key word to rebuild our fan base for that region and INDYCAR and Pocono are working very hard and thankfully making it happen. I'm obviously happy to be able to return in 2015 and finish the strong race we had in 2014."

The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix returns as a doubleheader event (May 30-31, ABC) and is followed on the calendar by a night race at Texas Motor Speedway (June 6, NBCSN). The race on Streets of Toronto has moved (June 14, NBCSN) to accommodate the Pan American Games, and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Aug. 2, NBCSN) returns to its familiar date on the calendar.

All races will be broadcast on radio by the IMS Radio Network through its affiliates, including SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services