IndyCar series announces shortened 2006 schedule

The IRL today announced a compact 2006 schedule that begins March 26 in Homestead, Florida, and ends September 10 at Chicagoland Speedway. The new schedule is eight weeks shorter than this year’s schedule, and features 10 events in 15 weeks after the Indianapolis 500 in late May. Notably absent from the schedule are races at three current venues: California Speedway, Phoenix International Raceway, and Pikes Peak International Raceway. A rumored race in Canada appears to be on hold, but could be added later. This year’s road course races at Infineon and Watkins Glen remain, along with the street race in St. Petersburg. The IRL has been plagued with poor attendance and disappointing TV ratings at many venues, and the compressed schedule is seen as a way to maintain fan interest at a high level, while avoiding TV audience conflicts with the fall football season.

By s.waterman@p1data.com
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The IRL today announced a compact 2006 schedule
that begins March 26 in Homestead, Florida, and ends September 10 at Chicagoland Speedway. The new schedule is eight
weeks shorter than this year’s schedule, and features 10 events in 15 weeks after the Indianapolis 500 in late
May.

Notably absent from the schedule are races at three current venues: California Speedway, Phoenix International
Raceway, and Pikes Peak International Raceway. A rumored race in Canada appears to be on hold, but could be added
later.

This year’s road course races at Infineon and Watkins Glen remain, along with the street race in St. Petersburg.

The IRL has been plagued with poor attendance and disappointing TV ratings at many venues, and the compressed schedule
is seen as a way to maintain fan interest at a high level, while avoiding TV audience conflicts with the fall football
season.