Milwaukee joins 17-round IndyCar schedule

The IZOD IndyCar Series confirmed its 2011 schedule Friday in a presentation at the start/finish line of the Milwaukee Mile. The choice of venue highlighted the return of IndyCar racing to the historic venue on the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. However, the expected new season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was not confirmed, with the final date and venue listed as TBA, although the league confirmed that the final race would be run on an oval. Should the deal with Las Vegas to host the final round fall through, Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., is tipped to get the race instead.

As it stands, the schedule includes no races at International Speedway Corporation tracks, with the Chicagoland, Homestead and Kansas Speedways, as well as the Watkins Glen road course, all having been dropped from the calendar. ISC's president, John Saunders, told the USA Today that his company's differences with IndyCar were strictly financial.

"We're the leading promoters of motorsports in the U.S., and we have been longtime supporters of the IndyCar Series," Saunders said. "But the reality is that the motorsports entertainment industry and sports in general are facing tough economic times unlike any we've ever seen. Everyone has to revisit how they do business. We've been able to work well with other racing series to ensure financially viable events, but, unfortunately, we have not been able to reach similar agreements with IndyCar."

The schedule includes 18 races at 17 venues, counting the new doubleheader at Texas Motor Speedway, to be run two weeks after the Indianapolis 500. Counting the two Texas races, the schedule features an even number of ovals vs. road and street course races.

Highlights of the schedule:

• The season opener will be contested March 27 on the temporary street course in St. Petersburg, Fla., returning the series to opening in the U.S. for the first time since 2009.

• The street course in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on May 1 will play host to the first international event of the season and serve as the lead-in race for the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500.

• The Indianapolis 500 will be contested May 29, preceded by two weeks of practice and qualifications. Pole Day is May 21. The event will mark the 100th anniversary of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" and will include many special Centennial Era activities for fans and media.

• Texas Motor Speedway will feature dual races under the lights June 11, allowing for a weekend off following the Indianapolis 500.

•After a one-year absence, the historic Milwaukee Mile will rejoin the schedule June 19, featuring a new event promoter.

•Iowa Speedway will showcase its first IZOD IndyCar Series night race June 25.

•The series races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon after a 13-year hiatus on Aug. 14. New Hampshire played host to annual Indy-style events from 1992-'98.

•The inaugural race in Baltimore, which incorporates the Inner Harbor, will be on a series-designed street circuit Sept. 4.

• The race at Kentucky Speedway shifts from Labor Day weekend to Oct. 2.

"It was important that the IZOD IndyCar Series continue to strike a balance between ovals and non-ovals to maintain our claim to the most diverse racing schedule in the world," said IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard. "We want to have the best drivers in the world, and it's important that our schedule truly challenges the best through short ovals, speedways, temporary circuits and road courses."

Auto racing at The Milwaukee Mile debuted Sept. 11, 1903, when William Jones of Chicago won a five-lap speed contest. It has played host to auto racing every year since. The Milwaukee Mile first staged Indy car races in 1933.

"As tomorrow marks the 107th anniversary of the first race ever held at The Milwaukee Mile, it is only appropriate that we hold our 2011 schedule unveiling at this facility today," Bernard said. "We all appreciate the heritage and legacy of this sport while looking at all the new opportunities we have to grow.

"IndyCar is entering a new and exciting era. Fortunately, this brings opportunities with new venues and promoters that are fully aligned with our strategy moving forward. We are committed to working with our partners and listening to our fans about what they want as we do what is in the best interest of the sport.

2011 IZOD IndyCar Series: