Photo Credit: IndyCar
On Thursday, INDYCAR announced their schedule for the 2017 season along with a new track added to its calendar of events.
The series will make a return next season to Gateway Motorsports Park, located right outside of St. Louis. They last competed at this track back in 2003.
“Today is a monumental day for the people of the St Louis region,” said Curtis Francois, owner of Gateway Motorsports Park. “I am proud of the progress we’ve made at my hometown track. 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”
“I think it’s great that we’re going back to Gateway,” said Penske driver, Helio Castroneves. “I like it because I’ve had success there but also that I used to race for Hogan (St. Louis based Indy Car team in 1999), which makes it a special place for me. I won there with Team Penske in 2003 and there was an all-Brazilian podium with Tony (Kanaan) and Gil (de Ferran).”
It was also announced Watkins Glen International signed a multi-year contract with INDYCAR. The Glen was added to this year’s schedule as a replacement on Labor Day weekend for the cancelled Boston Grand Prix.
With the addition of Gateway and The Glen back this now balances out the schedule with different type tracks the series will compete on. In 2017 there will be six events on ovals, six on permanent road courses and five on temporary street circuits.
“The release of the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule continued to build upon the success INDYCAR has experienced the last three years and establishes continuity and consistency in our event calendar,” said Mark Miles, CEO 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 the opportunity to initiate ticker renewals and even promotions earlier, which is pivotal to continuing the increase in attendance at our events.”
2017 Verizon IndyCar Series Schedule*:
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
*Schedule subject to change.
