TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

St. Petersburg, Homestead To Bookend IRL Schedule

ADVERTISEMENT

By TONY FABRIZIO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 31, 2008

Without moving anywhere on the calendar, the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg moved up a notch on the schedule and will open the Indy Racing League's season in 2009.

Homestead-Miami Speedway, which has hosted the opening race since 2002, will get the finale in 2009, giving Florida the IndyCar Series' bookend races.

The fifth edition of the St. Pete IRL race, already made a near certainty in April when Andretti Green Promotions and the city of St. Petersburg announced a four-year contract extension, will take place April 5.

Kevin Savoree, managing director of AGP, said he believes getting the season opener is a reward for the success of the St. Petersburg event.

"The job's up to us now - I mean, we've got to do a great job next year, and we're looking forward to it," Savoree said. "I think, again, we'll put on a good show and the fans will look forward to it."

The IRL's 2009 schedule will have two new events: the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, which has a 34-year open-wheel history; and a street race in Toronto that will be promoted by AGP.

St. Petersburg, Long Beach and Kansas will precede the 93rd Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day weekend. The Japan Indy 300 at Twin Ring 300, won by Danica Patrick in April, is moving to Sept. 19.

Not on the schedule are Cleveland and Houston, two cities the IRL has had talks with, and Australia, which could still be added, officials said.

Homestead will have the season finales for the IRL and for NASCAR's Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman Truck series. The IRL race, which has been a Saturday night race in recent years, is set for Sunday, Oct. 11.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT