IndyCar CEO Miles told USA TODAY Sports that he expects the finalized 2016 schedule to feature 16 races at 15 venues. The final "highly, highly likely" piece of the schedule, he said, depends on board approval from another venue on or around Oct. 13. Could be Gateway (waste of time in our opinion), but as AR1.com has said, it should be the Hulman board approving the season finale as the Indy 400 at IMS. But they probably won't do it as they prefer to end their season at Sonoma with few fans in attendance which ensures the series looks like a loser on their big day. Below, is what appears to be the 2016 IndyCar schedule.
Race |
Date |
Event |
AR1 Rating |
Comment |
1 |
March 13 |
Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg |
Fact |
With Easter on traditional St. Pete date moves up two weeks. |
2 |
April 2 (Sat) |
Phoenix |
Strong |
Series is looking at Sat. evening race. Race just weeks after Phoenix NASCAR Sprint Cup race, therefore, will have poor attendance |
3 |
April 17 |
42nd Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach |
Fact |
Long Beach is set for 2016 |
4 |
April 24 |
Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama |
Fact |
Race will be back as Zoom Motorsports and IndyCar have contract through 2016. |
5 |
May 14 (Sat) |
Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis |
Fact |
Race and date already confirmed |
6 |
May 29 |
100th Indianapolis 500 |
Fact |
Rumors suggest, IMS may consider moving the 100th Indianapolis 500 out of Memorial Day Sunday. Just kidding. Indy 500 is set |
7 |
June 3 |
Chevrolet Dual in Detroit Presented By Quicken Loans Dual 1 |
Fact |
Race is set |
8 |
June 4 |
Chevrolet Dual in Detroit Presented By Quicken Loans Dual 2 |
Fact |
Race is set |
9 |
June 10 (Sat) |
Firestone 600 |
Strong |
Eddie Gossage has said Texas will be back. No date confirmed yet, but this would be the traditional Saturday evening slot. |
10 |
June 26 |
Elkhart Lake |
Fact |
Series’ return to Elkhart Lake is confirmed. |
11 |
July 10 |
Iowa Corn Indy 300 |
Strong |
Iowa seems a good bet to return. We’re not sure of the date at this point. |
12 |
July 17 |
Honda Indy Toronto |
Strong |
Event promoter Charlie Johnstone said race would return to traditional July date in 2016 |
13 |
Aug 7 |
Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio |
Fact |
This race has been in this early time slot since 2009, probably a strong bet to stay. The date could move however. |
14 |
August 21 |
ABC Supply Pocono 500 |
Strong |
Pocono will give IndyCar one more try |
15 |
September 4 |
Grand Prix of Boston |
Fact |
Boston is set for Labor Day Weekend 2016 |
16 |
September 18 |
GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma |
Fact |
Sonoma to stay as season finale |