No Grand Prix of Cleveland on 2009 IRL schedule

The Indy Racing League has announced its 2009 schedule, and Cleveland has not made the list.

The Grand Prix of Cleveland at Burke Lakefront Airport is not part of the 2009 circuit, although IRL is leaving the door open to add the race in future years.

An August race at Mid-Ohio is on the 2009 schedule.

Mi-Jack Promotions, which organizes the Cleveland event, and the IRL are now in negotiations for bringing the race back to Cleveland.

"We recognize that there is a rich history of open-wheel racing in Cleveland," said Terry Angstadt, president/commercial division, Indy Racing League, said in a statement.

"However, due to contractual obligations and our desire to grow the schedule in a way that will work for all involved, it was impossible to add all of the races we would have liked for 2009. We are looking forward to continuing to work with Mike Lanigan and MJ Promotions on the possibility of racing at Burke Lakefront Airport in the future."

"But Cleveland is a great city with a proud racing tradition, so we are very optimistic for 2010. . . . Our company remains committed to the future of racing on the shores of Lake Erie."

"We are disappointed that the IRL was not able to include us for next year," Lanigan, CEO of MJ Promotions said in a statement. "But Cleveland is a great city with a proud racing tradition, so we are very optimistic for 2010. . . . Our company remains committed to the future of racing on the shores of Lake Erie." Cleveland Plain Dealer