After being initially leaked on Sunday, the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule was officially announced this morning.
The season will once again kick off in St. Petersburg on March 13th, which has moved up two weeks due to the Easter holiday. Making it’s return in nearly 10 years will be Phoenix International Raceway, which will host a 200-lap Saturday night race on April 2. Phoenix joins Road America as the second classic Amerian Open Wheel Racing venue to return to the schedule.
Following Phoenix will be the 42nd Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 17th. Barber Motorsports Park on April 25th and the Grand Prix of Indianapolis on May 14th leading up to the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29th.
Bell Isle retains its usual post Indy slot with the Duel in Detroit scheduled for June 4th and 5th.
Texas Motor Speedway is on the IndyCar schedule for the 26th time, this time on June 11th. The return to Road America will be on June 26th.
Iowa will be July 10th, Toronto July 17th, with Mid-Ohio on July 31st. Pocono is curiously the only August race and is scheduled for August 20th.
The inaugural Grand Prix of Boston powered by LogMeln is scheduled for Labor Day weekend, despite recent discussions that the race may be in doubt. The GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma will once again serve as the season finale but has been moved to September 21.
The chaotic race at NOLA Motorsports Park will not return as well as the Milwaukee Mile and Fontana, which are on a seemingly indefinite hiatus.
ABC and NBC Sports will once again share the television rights. With ABC airing the St. Petersburg, Indianapolis rounds and the Duel in Detroit while NBC Sports will carry the lions share of the telecasts.
“Overall, the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule is another key step forward in INDYCAR’s strategic vision,” said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Company, the parent of INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “We’re confident that the momentum that INDYCAR has experienced in fan engagement over the past two seasons will continue as a result of the tireless efforts of our event promoters and our improved scheduling on ABC and NBCSN.”
2016 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule
March 13 Streets of St. Petersburg ABC 12:30 p.m.
April 2 Phoenix International Raceway NBCSN 8 p.m.
April 17 Streets of Long Beach NBCSN 4 p.m.
April 24 Barber Motorsports Park NBCSN 3 p.m.
May 14 Grand Prix of Indianapolis ABC 3:30 p.m.
May 29 Indianapolis 500 ABC 11 a.m.
June 4 Raceway at Belle Isle Park ABC 3:30 p.m.
June 5 Raceway at Belle Isle Park ABC 3:30 p.m.
June 11 Texas Motor Speedway NBCSN 8 p.m.
June 26 Road America NBCSN 12:30 p.m.
July 10 Iowa Speedway NBCSN 5 p.m.
July 17 Streets of Toronto NBCSN 3 p.m.
July 31 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course NBCSN 2 p.m.
Aug. 21 Pocono Raceway NBCSN 3 p.m.
Sept. 4 Streets of Boston NBCSN 2 p.m.
Sept. 18 Sonoma Raceway NBCSN 7 p.m.
