Reactions to '09 IndyCar schedule

IndyCar Series drivers

Justin Wilson (Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing): “It’s great to have the schedule out early for next year. Having entered this season with a limited amount of preparation, this will enable us to be much more prepared for 2009. The flow of the schedule looks a lot better as far as changing from ovals to road racing and back again as well as the number of consecutive weekends. That will help the team out in terms of preparation as well as the fact that there are a couple more weekends off to recharge. It's great to have a unified series and have Long Beach on the schedule as well as Edmonton and Toronto. I'm also happy to see that we are going back to Surfers Paradise this year, and I would like to see it make the schedule for future years as well."

Townsend Bell (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing): “I applaud the Indy Racing League for getting the schedule announced so early. It goes a long way towards working on our programs for 2009. I’m excited about the schedule. We’ve got a lot of great marquee events on there, and I’m looking forward to seeing packed houses at all venues next year."

Buddy Rice (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing): “It’s great that we’re adding road races and getting back to some of the places that open-wheel racing has been a part of with Long Beach and Toronto. It’s also great to have an extra Canadian round since the fans there are always fun and knowledgeable. It’s definitely interesting to see Homestead and Japan so late in the schedule. It’ll be weird not going to Japan before Indy. Hopefully the weather is nicer in Japan in September. Having four weeks be the longest stretch is a great move. Going six straight is a bit hard on everybody. It’s very challenging in terms of personnel, even if you don’t have any issues. That’s very good to see. I’m looking forward to it."

Graham Rahal (Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing): “Although I would like to see more road courses on the schedule, it is good in a sense that we will be going back to almost all of the circuits that we went to for the first time this year and have made developments on. We will have a starting point at each of them next year that we can build from. The addition of Toronto is good because it has always been a successful event."

IndyCar Series team owners

Bobby Rahal (Co-owner, Rahal Letterman Racing): “The 2009 schedule again provides one of the most diverse challenges in all of motorsports with its mix of road courses, short ovals, big speedways and street-course events. This is one of the strongest schedules that the IndyCar Series has ever assembled, and we fully support the Indy Racing League in its efforts to make the schedule more attractive to sponsors and more workable for its teams and drivers."

Dennis Reinbold (Co-owner, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing): “I think the balance of next year's schedule shows continued growth for our unified series and puts us in exciting venues. Our series has a great deal of momentum right now, and the schedule will help that continue."

Keith Wiggins (Owner, HVM Racing): “I have to commend the Indy Racing League officials for creating such a fair and balanced schedule for 2009. I think any progress towards a closer stability between road courses and ovals is welcome, as it is for HVM Racing, and I suspect most people feel the same way. Teams, drivers and most importantly, the fans, will be happy to see a more even mix, and this allows for a better job of encompassing open wheel racing. This is a series with fans spanning all over the globe, and the schedule is allowing for growth of our sport. When you race at venues like St. Petersburg, Surfers Paradise, Edmonton along with Indianapolis- it naturally creates a better environment and greater interest. This can only move our sport and therefore teams like HVM Racing to the next level."

Track/promoters

Jeff Boerger (President, Kansas Speedway): “The IndyCar Series race at Kansas Speedway has proven over the years to be one of the best IndyCar Series races on the schedule, and we’re looking forward to hosting the series in 2009."

Doug Fritz (President, Richmond International Raceway): “We are excited to host the ninth year of IndyCar Series racing at Richmond International Raceway in 2009. Some of the most talented drivers will battle it out on the shortest track on the circuit. It’s amazing to think that they will again turn laps in less than 16 seconds and reach speeds of more than 170 mph on a Â¾-mile track. The previous eight races have been well-attended by our great fans, and we look forward to having an even bigger and more exciting race next year."

Curtis Gray (President, Homestead-Miami Speedway): “That the IndyCar Series has chosen to move its championship to Homestead-Miami Speedway says more about our facility and Miami as a championship host city than anything I can put into words. IndyCar is anchored by such a decorated open-wheel history, and now the series is poised for a phenomenal future driven by the momentum of this year’s reunification with Champ Car, as well as by last year’s stunning championship finish."

Marcus Lemonis (Chairman, The Milwaukee Mile): “The tradition continues of IndyCar Series racing at The Milwaukee Mile the event following the Indianapolis 500 for an unparalleled 52nd time, and we couldn’t be more excited for our fans. It was an honor to have Ryan Briscoe score his first series victory in what was legendary team owner Roger Penske’s 300th professional victory in our event two months ago. We are already planning for an exciting May 30-31, 2009 IndyCar Series event weekend, and look forward to greeting the next open wheel star to pull into A.J. Foyt Victory Lane at America’s Legendary Oval."