2008 IndyCar Series
Template:Future sport Template:IRL Seasons
The 2008 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series season will be the 13th season of the series. Its premier event will be the 92nd Indianapolis 500. The season will consist of sixteen races and begin March 29 at Homestead.[1]
All races will be televised on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC.
Official 2008 IndyCar Series schedule
- All times are EDT and are subject to change
- Race names and sponsors are subject to change
Schedule development
- The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will return through at least 2009. The 2008 race will be held April 6.[2]
- The Milwaukee Mile will host the race the weekend immediately following the Indy 500 through at least 2009.[3]
- Michigan International Speedway has been removed from the schedule for 2008.[4]
- Iowa Speedway has been renewed through 2009.[5]
- Texas Motor Speedway signed a two-year contract extention through 2009.[6]
- Detroit will be held August 31, 2008, part of Labor Day weekend along with ALMS.[7]
- An official 16-race schedule was released September 18, 2007.[1]
Possible new races
- Following a feasibility test in September 2006, and an open test on January 31-February 1, 2007, the IndyCar Series is still considering a possible event at Daytona International Speedway. No decision for 2008 has been made by series or track officials.[8]
- The IndyCar Series is exploring the possibility of holding new races in 2008 at Biloxi, Estoril in Portugal and Palm Springs. Another possible location is Denver.[9]
- The IndyCar Series is considering an event at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina.[10]
- A return to Phoenix is under consideration. It will not happen for 2008, and appears questionable for 2009.[11]
- A replacement for Michigan will be announced by the league to maintain a 17-race schedule. League officials have confirmed only that it will be in the United States, and will be a new venue[12] in California.[13][14]
Driver news
- Penske Racing: Sam Hornish, Jr. will drive in five or six NASCAR Nextel Cup series races in late 2007. He has not yet made an announcement about possibly switching to the Nextel Cup Series full-time for 2008.[15]
- Andretti Green Racing: The team will remain a four-car team, with Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti, and Danica Patrick scheduled to return.[16] Dario Franchitti is reported to be leaving the IndyCar Series to race for Ganassi in 2008 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.[17]
Rule changes
- Full-time IndyCar Series entries will begin utilizing mandatory paddle shifters in 2008. Paddle shifters for Indianapolis 500-only entries will be optional.[14]
- The cars will be fitted with a "Zylon" synthetic-fiber intrusion barrier.[14]
Revenue sharing
In an effort to help its smaller teams and possibly attract new ones, the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series is expected to announce a revenue-sharing plan for 2008.[18] The details are expected to be as follows:
- Teams will receive $1.3 million for each car competing in the full 17-race schedule.
- Race purses will eliminated except for the Indianapolis 500.
- The total purse for the 2008 Indianapolis 500 will increase with the winner receiving $2 million and 33rd place paying no less than $300,000. Note that in 2007, race winner Dario Franchitti received $1,645,233, and last place Roberto Moreno won $224,805.[19]
References
- ^ a b "Another diverse schedule". IndyCar.com. 2007-09-18. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Grand Prix extends 2 years". St. Pete Times. 2007-05-01. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Tradition restored". IndyCar.com. 2006-08-10. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "IndyCar loses Michigan date". autosport.com. 2007-07-17. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Iowa encores". IndyCar.com. 2007-08-16. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Texas, IRL agree". IndyStar.com. 2007-08-28. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Grand Prix to return to Belle Isle in 2008". Detroit Free Press. 2007-09-02. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Curt IRL remains mum on Daytona future". IndyStar.com. 2007-02-02. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Curt Cavin: IRL & Formula One Q&A". IndyStar.com. 2007-02-16. Retrieved 2007-02-20.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Could the IndyCar Series want a piece of the Rock?". Cup Scene Daily. 2007-06-12. Retrieved 2007-06-12.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Curt Cavin Ask the Expert - Sept. 4: On Rice, Danica, Dixon, Scheckter". IndyStar.com. 2007-09-04. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Indy race series schedule awaits replacement for Michigan event". Mlive.com. 2007-08-26. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Curt Cavin Ask the Expert - Sept. 2: On the IRL (what else?) and Wheldon". IndyStar.com. 2007-09-02. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c "Indy-Car Upgrades Planned For 2008, '09". AutoWeek.com. 2007-09-07. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "IRL Driver Shuffle". AutoWeek.com. 2007-08-27. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "AGR plans on remaining a 4-car team". IndyStar.com. 2007-09-10. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Many 500 champs haven't defended title". IndyStar.com. 2007-09-10. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "INDYCAR: Revenue Sharing Plan Set for 2008". SPEED. 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "OFFICIAL: BOX SCORE: 91st Indianapolis 500-Mile Race" (PDF). IndyCar.com. 2007-05-27. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)