INDYCAR has released the schedule of the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season, featuring 17 races in 16 venues. The 2017 season will see all the 2016 returning as well as the addition of the oval of Gateway Motorsports Park.
Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co., the parent of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, stated on the 2017 schedule:
“The release of the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule continues to build upon the success INDYCAR has experienced the last three years and establishes continuity and consistency in our event calendar.”
Miles added:
“As a series we are working diligently to create long-term relationships with our promoters to establish date equity and to provide them with the opportunity to initiate ticket renewals and event promotions earlier, which is pivotal to continuing the increase in attendance at our events.”
Date equity is reflected in the schedule which mostly follows the 2017 schedule. On March 12, the season will open on the streets of St. Petersburg for the sixth consecutive year. The season concludes on September 17, for the third consecutive time at Sonoma Raceway. The highlight of the season will be the 101st Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on May 28. The only changes in the schedule are the Phoenix race taking place after Long Beach and Barber, and the addition of the Gateway oval race on August 26 between Mid-Ohio and Pocono. Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois has previously hosted four CART races in 1997-2000 and three Verizon IndyCar Series races in 2001-03. In 2017 Gateway will add the number of oval races to six of 17 races. Curtis Francois, owner of Gateway Motorsports Park called the announcement a monumental day for the people of the St. Louis region.
Praising the people of the region, Francois said:
“More than a dozen track operators around the country sought this INDYCAR race for their communities. I firmly believe we came out on top because of the energy, loyalty and commitment to great sports that sports fans of all kinds demonstrate each day in this community.”
The 2017 season features also Watkins Glen International. A replacement for the canceled Boston race in the Labor Day weekend this September, the Glen will return in the 2017 Labor Day weekend under a new multi-year agreement with INDYCAR.
Mark Miles commented on the addition of Gateway and the return to Watkins Glen:
“The addition of Gateway Motorsports Park and the return of Watkins Glen International are integral to the continued growth of INDYCAR”
On Gateway Miles said:
“Gateway officials have been enthusiastic about the prospect of hosting a Verizon IndyCar Series event for some time and we’re excited to bring the series to the St. Louis market.”
On Watkins Glen he added:
“Watkins Glen is an iconic American road course that is revered by our fans, drivers and teams. Our goal from the beginning was to establish a long-term agreement and we’re thrilled that we’ve been able to extend this relationship for the future.”
Full 2017 Verizon IndyCar Schedule:
Mar 12 Streets of St. Petersburg
Apr 9 Streets of Long Beach
Apr 23 Barber Motorsports Park
Apr 29 Phoenix International Raceway
May 13 Grand Prix of Indianapolis
May 28 Indianapolis 500
Jun 3 The Raceway at Belle Isle Park
Jun 4 The Raceway at Belle Isle Park
Jun 10 Texas Motor Speedway
Jun 25 Road America
Jul 9 Iowa Speedway
Jul 16 Exhibition Place
Jul 30 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Aug 20 Pocono Raceway
Aug 26 Gateway Motorsports Park
Sep 3 Watkins Glen International
Sep 17 Sonoma Raceway
