Preparations for IndyCar opener in Brazil ‘rolling along’

The Brasilia track was a real dump, so let's hope the upgrades help

In spite of concern in recent Portuguese-based media reports, the Verizon IndyCar Series is on schedule to open next season in Brasilia, the Indianapolis-based project manager said Tuesday.

Tony Cotman, president of NZR Consulting, said he has reviewed recent photos of the reconfiguration of the Autodromo International Nelson Piquet circuit, and he will be on site next week to make sure the work is on schedule.

"Everything is rolling along," Cotman told The Indianapolis Star. "There's still a lot of work to do in a short time, but there should be no reason not to get it done."

The debut race in Brazil's capitol – the Brasilia Indy 300 – is set for March 8. The permanent road course that opened in 1973 will be one of two new circuits on IndyCar's 2015 calendar, with NOLA Motorsports Park hosting its first series race April 12.

Cotman estimated that 75 percent of the Brasilia circuit is being reworked, and crews are currently in the repaving stage. All of the safety components — run-off areas, debris-catching barriers and fences – will be new, he said.

This will be IndyCar's latest foray into South America following four races in Sao Paulo (2010-13). CART raced on an oval track, also named in honor of three-time Formula One champion Nelson Piquet, from 1996-2000.

Two of IndyCar's biggest stars are Brazilian: Indianapolis 500 winners Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan. Former IndyCar driver Vitor Meira, who is from Brasilia, might also drive in the upcoming race. USA Today