INDYCAR Announces 2017 Schedule
INDYCAR has released the 2017 season schedule for the Verizon IndyCar Series. The slate features a total of 17 races, including every venue on the 2016 schedule in addition to a new event at Gateway Motorsports Park near St. Louis.
The 2017 schedule includes six races on oval courses, six on permanent road courses and five on temporary street circuits. INDYCAR has also confirmed a multi-year agreement with Watkins Glen International, which was added to the 2016 schedule in May as a late replacement to the canceled race in Boston.
"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," said Mark Miles, chief executive officer of Hulman & Co., the parent of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "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."
The 2017 schedule includes:
- March 12 — Streets of St. Petersburg
- April 9 — Streets of Long Beach
- April 23 — Barber Motorsports Park
- April 29 — Phoenix International Raceway
- May 13 — Grand Prix of Indianapolis
- May 28 — Indianapolis 500 Mile Race
- June 3 — Raceway at Belle Isle Park
- June 4 — Raceway at Belle Isle Park
- June 10 — Texas Motor Speedway
- June 25 — Road America
- July 9 — Iowa Speedway
- July 16 — Streets of Toronto
- July 30 — Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
- Aug. 20 — Pocono Raceway
- Aug. 26 — Gateway Motorsports Park
- Sept. 3 — Watkins Glen International
- Sept. 17 — Sonoma Raceway
The last event at Gateway Motorsports Park, which is located in Madison, Illinois, just east of St. Louis, was held in 2003 and was won by three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves. Owner Curtis Francois says the announcement is monumental for people in the St. Louis region.
"I am proud of the progress we’ve made at my hometown track," said Francois. "I knew someday we would be making an announcement like this because I have such confidence in the people of this region and their commitment to great sporting events. 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."
INDYCAR touted increases in television ratings this season, as well as attendance at Verizon IndyCar Series events, with six races seeing crows at or near record highs. A final TV schedule for the 2017 races is expected to be released later this year.