IRL to renew with St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG – Although this weekend's Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg probably will be run without a contract saying there will be another one, the principals involved in staging the race say they want it back. "It's almost something that's more of getting the mechanics of [a new contract] done," said Kevin Savoree, managing director of Andretti Green Promotions, the race promoter. "I think we are all assuming it's going to continue."

AGP has three-year contracts with the city of St. Petersburg and Indy Racing League to run the race and Honda for title sponsorship that commenced in 2005 and expire after this weekend, but there is a two-year option on the contract with the city.

The deadline to exercise the option was moved from March 1 to May 1 at AGP's request, which will allow partners Savoree, Michael Andretti and Barry Green to examine the financial data from the 2007 race before making any new commitments.

But Kevin Dunn, St. Petersburg's director for development and the city's point person for the race, says all indications are that AGP will renew.

"Their conversation with us is they certainly are going to be looking at [at least] a two-year extension, but they actually may be coming back and asking for a longer term," he said.

Dunn said the city is thrilled with the race and wants it back. More at TBO.com