2015 IndyCar Schedule (18th Update)
February 22: Dubai (expected, not confirmed)
March 8: Brasilia (confirmed)
March 29: St. Petersburg (confirmed)
April 12: New Orleans (confirmed)
April 19: Long Beach (confirmed)
April 26: Birmingham (confirmed)
May 9: Indianapolis road course (confirmed)
May 24: Indianapolis 500 (confirmed)
May 30-31: Detroit doubleheader (confirmed)
June 6: Fort Worth (confirmed)
June 13-14: Toronto doubleheader (confirmed)
June 27: Fontana (confirmed)
July 12: Milwaukee (confirmed)
July 19: Iowa (best guess)
Aug. 2: Mid-Ohio (expected, not confirmed)
Aug. 23: Pocono (best guess)
Aug. 30: Sonoma (expected, not confirmed)
10/28/14 2015 IndyCar schedule announcement has been confirmed for 2:00 PM ET Thursday.
10/27/14 If you scroll way down on this rumor to August you will see that AR1.com predicted the Dubai street race will be February 15th or the 22nd. Our sources tell us it will be Feb. 22nd, the same date as the Daytona 500. Not only Dubai, that schedule made the most sense for all the races.
10/27/2014: The schedule will be out this Thursday
10/22/2014: How many years did AR1.com say that the IndyCar season should start the week after the Super Bowl? We have stated it the last 12 straight years. Well apparently the light bulb has finally gone off in someone's head at 16th St. and Georgetown Road.
IndyCar CEO Mark Miles told Fox Sports he believes once the 2015 and 2016 schedules are announced it will be obvious it’s not a "shorter" season, but a chance to move the schedule earlier.
"What we are doing is shifting the season earlier," he said. "The fans or the teams haven’t experienced it that way yet. When we start the year immediately following the Super Bowl in early February and run through Labor Day that is 30 weeks. When we raced through the middle of October that was 28 weeks. This is not about shortening the season; it’s about moving it forward so we can be at a time when we have a better opportunity to improve our television audiences.
"With Daytona, we aren’t going to schedule around it as much as precede it. As we see it, our first race might be before NASCAR gears up at Daytona. What happens in the weeks at Daytona remains to be seen. If we had only two international races in that time frame one may be just after the Super Bowl and the other one in the first week of March. In that case there wouldn’t be a head-to-head conflict. If we had a third international race then it might be in-between early February and first of March. The one thing we are trying to achieve is to start before Daytona.
"The Super Bowl is something to be avoided entirely."
Originally, Miles talked of an "International Schedule" during the offseason that would consist of three races outside of the championship, but any such international races such as Brazil and the possibility of Dubai would now be part of the championship schedule.
"Then after that it's all North American races," Miles said.
We suspect it will take us repeating 12 straight years that the season finale for the IndyCar season should be a 400-miler at the Indy Speedway on Labor Day weekend. A grand finale it would be. Sadly it takes that long for things to sink in at 16th and Georgetown, but they finally get it.
10/08/14 The Indy Star's latest guess at the 2015 IndyCar schedule:
March 8: Brasilia (confirmed)
March 29: St. Petersburg (confirmed)
April 12: New Orleans (confirmed)
April 19: Long Beach (confirmed)
April 26: Birmingham (confirmed)
May 9: Indianapolis road course (confirmed)
May 24: Indianapolis 500 (confirmed)
May 30-31: Detroit doubleheader (confirmed)
June 6: Fort Worth (confirmed)
June 13-14: Toronto doubleheader (expected, not confirmed)
June 27: Fontana (expected, not confirmed)
July 12: Iowa (best guess)
July 19: Milwaukee (best guess)
Aug. 2: Mid-Ohio (expected, not confirmed)
Aug. 16: Pocono (best guess)
Aug. 23: Sonoma (expected, not confirmed)
10/07/14 IndyCar president of competition and operations Derrick Walker said the 2015 IndyCar schedule will be out by the end of the month. They are having trouble getting the TV time slots they want because NASCAR has taken all the good NBC and NBCSN time slots. IndyCar will find that they will soon be muscled out of NBCSN by NASCAR. Why they don't move 100% of their races to ABC/ESPN is beyond belief.
10/03/14
Given the latest rumor about Iowa being June 20th, here is AutoRacing1's latest guess on the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule. Races in italics are expected although not officially confirmed.
March 8 – Brasilia, Brazil (confirmed)
March 29 – St. Petersburg, Fla. (confirmed)
April 12 – Avondale, La. (confirmed)
April 19 – Long Beach, Calif. (confirmed)
April 26 – Birmingham, Ala. (strong)
May 9 – Indianapolis road course (confirmed)
May 24 – Indianapolis 500 (confirmed)
May 30-31 – Detroit doubleheader (confirmed)
June 6 – Fort Worth, Texas (confirmed)
June 20 – Iowa (strong)
Aug. 2 – Lexington, Ohio (strong)
Aug. 23 – Sonoma, Calif. (strong)
Questions:
Toronto doubleheader
Pocono
Fontana
Milwaukee
Dubai (will the race happen after all?)
AR1 Staff
09/03/14 The Indy Star's Curt Cavin takes a stab at the 2015 IndyCar schedule:
I'll take a stab at next year's schedule so long as you realize IndyCar still has unresolved pieces. There are some dates that I feel are secure, others not as much. For instance, I have no idea where the Iowa race will land, and surely there has to be more to the August part of the schedule. Notice, too, that I have Milwaukee as the season finale, although if I were CEO I'd want the staff to tell me why ending at Sonoma isn't a good idea (think of all the ways corporate leaders could be entertained, and a late-afternoon race on West Coast would be a nice East Coast time slot).
I think you'll have the final schedule in a week or two. I can't rule out Dubai, but I can't add it, either.
March 8 – Brasilia, Brazil (I hear a deal's done, no confirmation)
March 29 – St. Petersburg, Fla. (confirmed)
April 12 – Avondale, La. (confirmed)
April 19 – Long Beach, Calif. (confirmed)
April 26 – Birmingham, Ala. (confirmed)
May 9 – Indianapolis road course (confirmed)
May 24 – Indianapolis 500 (confirmed)
May 30-31 – Detroit doubleheader (confirmed)
June 6 – Fort Worth, Texas (confirmed)
June 13-14 – Toronto doubleheader (speculation)
June 20 or June 27 – Fontana, Calif. (expected)
July 12 – Pocono Raceway (just a hunch)
July 20 – Iowa Speedway (just a hunch)
Aug. 2 – Lexington, Ohio (expected)
Aug. 23 – Sonoma, Calif. (expected)
Sept. 6 – Milwaukee, Wis. (just a hunch)
09/01/14
Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles reportedly met with IndyCar teams owners' prior to Saturday evening's MAVTV 500 at Auto Club Speedway. For clarification, Miles did not meet with the media this weekend, and considering the very-avoidable attendance/television debacle that was Saturday evening's race, who can really blame him.
Anyway, one of the major items of discussion during Miles' meeting with the owners was the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series schedule. And per our sources, we were able to glean the following:
Obviously, we were not invited to the meeting. However, per our sources we were able to glean the following:
1. Dubai and Brazil are going to happen. We had gotten some conflicting info on Dubai earlier, but it seems things are going head. Also, we're not sure if you read Brian Carroccio's Friday morning report from ACS, but there was an interesting tidbit about the finances involved in those events.
2. Fontana will be in June, not sure when
3. Mosport as a rumored one-year replacement for Toronto, is not going to happen. We spoke with someone connected to the situation, who said the Toronto race would happen in downtown Toronto. When, we're not sure.
4. There could be an undesired gap in the schedule during July and/or August. More likely August, but we're looking into it.
5. We got conflicting information on Iowa. One person said June (this would make June a complete cluster for the teams), others have said July. It's worth noting the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is scheduled to run Iowa next June 19th.
6. There's a wild card in play for the finale. We have some ideas, but couldn't really squeeze anything substantial out of anyone on this matter. The other option for the finale might have to be Sonoma a week before Labor Day (UGH!). Although anything would be better than Saturday night.
Also, if Sonoma is the finale, would silly double-points remain?
AR1 Staff
08/26/14 Dear AR1.com, The schedule you rumored below (not the Racer one) is the absolute best I have seen to ensure that each event has a good chance of succeeding. I love it. However, I suspect IndyCar won't do it. They have a reputation for developing schedules to ensure races fail. Is it possible they are really working for the France family to ensure, as you put it, that IndyCar remains nothing but a blemish on NASCAR posterior? How else can you justify their past stupidity? Roger Diamond, San Francisco
08/24/14 Here is Racer's Robin Miller's best guess at a 2015 IndyCar schedule. Gone are Houston, which AR1.com predicted because IndyCar put the race in the summer heat and hardly anyone showed up. Way to go IndyCar. And below Robin shows New Orleans on Labor Day weekend in the heat and humidity of New Orleans – worse than Houston. If true, stick a fork in that race before it even starts – it's done. Ditto for Fontana in the heat of Southern California in July. Stick a fork in that one too. IndyCar is also looking at Mosport or Mont-Tremblant as a replacement for Toronto. That one will work.
FEBRUARY
Dubai (street circuit)
MARCH
Brasilia (road course)
St. Petersburg (street circuit)
APRIL
Long Beach (street)
Birmingham (road course)
MAY
Indianapolis (road course)
Indianapolis 500 (oval)
JUNE
Detroit (street, doubleheader)
Texas (oval)
Toronto (street) or Mosport (road course)
JULY
Iowa (oval)
Pocono (oval)
Fontana (oval)
AUGUST
Mid-Ohio (road course)
Milwaukee (oval)
Sonoma (road course)
SEPTEMBER
New Orleans (road course)
08/23/14 AR1.com showed August 23rd in our 2015 IndyCar schedule. The Indy Star reports today "IndyCar still has event contracts to finalize for 2015, including one for Sonoma Raceway. But track president Steve Page said Friday that he's "close" on securing a date for next year's event and the contract that goes with it. IndyCar has raced continuously at the 12-turn, 2.385-mile road course north of San Francisco since 2005. With Labor Day later in the calendar, this event is likely to be held Aug. 29-30." We'll see…..as for Boston on Labor Day weekend per this rumor, we doubt that would happen in 2015. 2016 at the earliest we would think.
08/05/14
2015 AR1 IndyCar schedule update based on latest information:
| Date | Event | News | Commentary |
| February 15 or 22 | Dubai | Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles has talked about a street race in Dubai. Race seems likely. | IndyCar plans to open its season overseas. We’re guessing they’re finalizing details |
| March 8 | Brasilia | Brasilia has been widely rumored to be hosting an IndyCar race next March | Brasilia is going to happen, yet to be announced. |
| March 22 | GP of Louisiana | Perfect weather in New Orleans in March | Could Miles have a warm weather venue to slot in the week before St. Pete? AR1 has been told NOLA would like a March date. |
| March 29 | Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg | St. Pete is a lock for 2015. | Date and Race confirmed |
| April 5 | Easter | IndyCar has traditionally not run Easter Sunday, and we imagine there will be no race. | There will be no race this weekend – weekend of the Houston Open |
| April 12 | GP of Houston | Houston has five year deal. A perfect weekend for the GP of Houston in 2015 – right after the Houston Open | This is Masters Sunday, and you can expect a TV ratings debacle, but it's better than baking the spectators in the unbearable June heat. |
| April 19 | Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach | Long Beach date is set for 2015. | Date and Race confirmed |
| April 26 | Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama | Promoter ZOOM Motorsports and IndyCar have a contract through 2016. No date has been ser as of yet, and Barber traditionally has moved around depending on Easter and other factors. | Race confirmed. |
| May 9 | Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis | The 2nd Indy GP is all set with title sponsor Angie’s List coming aboard. | Date and Race confirmed |
| May 24 | 99th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race | Indy 500 is set. | Date and Race confirmed |
| May 30-31 | Chevrolet Indy Dual in Detroit Presented by Quicken Loans | Belle Isle is a go for 2015 | Date and Race confirmed |
| June 6-7 | Honda Indy Toronto | IndyCar signed three year extension with Green Savoree in May of 2012. Contract ends this year. We have heard no word of an extension, but expect to | Pan Am Games are in Toronto next year during traditional date. We hear first week in June for one year |
| June 13 Sat Night | Firestone 600 | TMS Prez Eddie Gossage and Miles have a handshake deal for June 6, 2015 | Race confirmed, date unconfirmed |
| June 28 | Pocono IndyCar 500 | 2015 will be year 3 of original three-year contract between IndyCar and the track. However, there was discontent during the weekend over the race’s future in particular, the less- than-desirable July 4 weekend date | As for the date, we’ve heard numerous things. We hope they move it off July 4th weekend. This would be 3 weeks after NASCAR race |
| July 11 | Iowa Corn 300 Presented by DeKalb | In December IndyCar confirmed they had a multi-year deal with Iowa Speedway | Race confirmed. Date probably will be contingent on a host of factors. |
| July 27 | ABC Supply Wisconsin 250 Milwaukee | Andretti Sports Marketing has a two-year agreement with title sponsor ABC Supply | Race confirmed, Date TBD. State Fair is August 6th, 2015 – August 16th, 2015 so moving race to late July avoids conflict |
| August 2 | Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio | We’ve seen nothing official noting that Mid Ohio is extended beyond this year. | We imagine race will return but have not heard anything. |
| August 23 | GP of Sonoma | GoPro’s deal with Sonoma concludes May of 2015, thus according to our information, there is no deal set for Sonoma next year | Neither race nor date confirmed. Could Sonoma possibly be on the chopping block? Depends on this year's attendance |
| August 29 Sat night | MAV TV 500 | Labor Day is September 7th next year – after football season starts, so expect finale to be one week before Labor Day weekend in 2015 | While there has been no announcement of an extension, we hear ACS is likely. |
07/17/14 We are downgrading IndyCar's chances of racing in Dubai in 2015 from 'strong' to 'speculation' based on new information AR1.com has received. Does anyone on Dubai even know or care what an IndyCar is? Most Americans today don't let alone those in Dubai.
07/16/14
| Pocono is one race that may not make the 2015 calendar. |
As you can see below, AR1 has updated its 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series Schedule table based on recent news speculation. Of note are the comments from Pocono Raceway CEO Brandon Igdalsky during the Pocono weekend, that he was not happy with ticket sales at The Tricky Triangle. And while it was believed Igdalsky had a three-year deal with the series, he seemed confident he could extricate himself from the deal.
Also, Pocono has made clear that if they are to continue with IndyCar, the July 4th weekend date is not desirable. Where does this leave IndyCar and The Tricky Triangle, which hosts two NASCAR Sprint Cup dates the first weekend of June and August.
Another revelation in recent days is that the Honda Indy Toronto cannot be run on its traditional July date in 2015 due to the Pan Am Games. What will that do to one of Indy car racing's longtime and more successful stops.
Numerous questions, with many answers left to come. Below, AR1 keeps you abreast on the latest with the 2015 schedule using 2014's parallel dates.
| Date | Event | News | Commentary | AR1 Rating |
| February 15 or 22 | Dubai | Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles has talked about a street race in Dubai. Race seems likely. | IndyCar plans to open its season overseas. We’re guessing they’re finalizing details | Speculation |
| March 8 | Brasilia | Brasilia has been widely rumored to be hosting an IndyCar race next March | Brasilia is going to happen, yet to be announced. | Incredibly Strong, all but official. |
| March 22 | ????? | Hulman & Co. CEO Mark Miles said there could be a North American race the week before St. Pete. Laguna-Seca? Houston? NOLA? | Could Miles have a warm weather venue to slot in the week before St. Pete? AR1 has been told NOLA would like a March date. | Speculation based on comments from Miles |
| March 29 | Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg | St. Pete is a lock for 2015. | Date and Race confirmed | Fact |
| April 5 | Easter | IndyCar has traditionally not run Easter Sunday, and we imagine there will be no race. | There will be no race this weekend | |
| April 12 | ???? | Will IndyCar run this weekend, or have a three week break between St. Pete and Long Beach? | Possible race weekend for Barber, NOLA, or Houston? If so, this is Masters Sunday, and you can expect a TV ratings debacle. | Speculation |
| April 19 | Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach | Long Beach date is set for 2015. | Date and Race confirmed | Fact |
| April 26 | Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama | Promoter ZOOM Motorsports and IndyCar have a contract through 2016. No date has been ser as of yet, and Barber traditionally has moved around depending on Easter and other factors. | Race confirmed. | |
| May 9 | Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis | The 2nd Indy GP is all set with title sponsor Angie’s List coming aboard. | Date and Race confirmed | Fact |
| May 24 | 99th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race | Indy 500 is set. | Date and Race confirmed | Fact |
| May 30-31 | Chevrolet Indy Dual in Detroit Presented by Quicken Loans | Belle Isle is a go for 2015 | Date and Race confirmed | Fact |
| June 6 | Firestone 600 | TMS Prez Eddie Gossage and Miles have a handshake deal for June 6, 2015 | Race confirmed, date unconfirmed | Fact |
| June 27-28 | Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston | Houston has five year deal through 2015 | Race confirmed. As for the date, we’ve heard numerous things. We hope they move it off oppressively hot June date. | Fact |
| July 5 | Pocono IndyCar 500 | 2015 will be year 3 of original three-year contract between IndyCar and the track. However, there was discontent during the weekend over the race’s future in particular, the less- than-desirable July 4 weekend date. | Pocono is up in the air. | Speculation |
| July 11 | Iowa Corn 300 Presented by DeKalb | In December IndyCar confirmed they had a multi-year deal with Iowa Speedway | Race confirmed. Date probably will be contingent on a host of factors. | Fact |
| July 18-19 | Honda Indy Toronto | IndyCar signed three year extension with Green Savoree in May of 2012. Contract ends this year. We have heard no word of an extension | Pan Am Games are in Toronto next year during traditional date. Even if race is back, date and/or location will be different | Speculation |
| August 2 | Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio | We’ve seen nothing official noting that Mid Ohio is extended beyond this year. | We imagine race will return but have not heard anything? | Strong |
| August 16 | ABC Supply Wisconsin 250 | Andretti Sports Marketing has a two-year agreement with title sponsor ABC Supply | Race confirmed, Date TBD | Fact |
| August 23 | Sonoma | GoPro’s deal with Sonoma concludes May of 2015, thus according to our information, there is no deal set for Sonoma next year | Neither race nor date confirmed. Could Sonoma possibly be on the chopping block? | Speculation |
| September 5 | MAV TV 500 | Labor Day is September 7th next year and we hear Fontana is set as the finale that weekend. However, we have yet to see anything official. | While there has been no announcement of an extension, we hear ACS is likely. Also, Labor Day being a week later in 2015 will break up a grueling August for the series. | Speculation |