2014 IndyCar Series schedule to be released on Thursday

The full 2014 IndyCar Series schedule will be unveiled during an hour-long show Oct. 17 on NBC Sports Network that also focuses on the championship-deciding MAVTV 500 on Oct. 19 at Auto Club Speedway.

The special airs at 8 p.m. (ET).

Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co., the parent of INDYCAR, reviews the 2014 schedule, which will include the inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis on May 10 on a reconfigured road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event will jump-start Month of May activities, leading into the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 25.

NBC Sports Network colleagues Leigh Diffey, Robin Miller and Kevin Lee will preview the championship duel between Helio Castroneves and Scott Dixon in the 250-lap twilight race on the 2-mile oval.

The panel also reviews the highly competitive 18 races, which have been marked by 10 different winners and four first-time winners.

NBC Sports Network will have full coverage of the race weekend from Fontana, Calif. The lineup (check local listings; all times Eastern):

* Friday, Oct. 18 — 7 p.m. MAVTV 500 qualifications

* Saturday, Oct. 18 — 7 p.m. Lefty's Kids Club 100 Firestone Indy Lights race

* Saturday, Oct. 19 — 8 p.m. MAVTV 500 IZOD IndyCar Series race