Written by:
Kevin Krefting
09/26/2006
Indianapolis, Ind.
The Homestead lights used for NASCAR will now illuminate IndyCars as well. (LAT photo)
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For the first time in its history, the IndyCar Series will open with the season with a race held under the lights.
IndyCar Series officials announced that the 2007 season will begin on March 24 with a 300-mile night race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 24. A 100-mile Indy Pro Series event also will be held during the season-opening weekend.
"We were the first open-wheel series to race under the lights, and now we are the first to open our season under the lights," said Brian Barnhart, president and chief operating officer of the Indy Racing League. "Homestead-Miami Speedway has always produced exciting races and close finishes. Miami continues to be an important market, especially with the number of IndyCar Series drivers that consider it home."
Homestead-Miami Speedway will host the season-opening event for the sixth consecutive season. Four of the last six IndyCar Series champions (Sam Hornish Jr. '01 and '02, Scott Dixon '03 and Dan Wheldon '05) won at Homestead-Miami Speedway and gone on to clinch the championship later that season.
"The only thing more spectacular than watching these cars race at 200 mph is watching them race at night," said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Curtis Gray. "South Florida is famous for its fast-paced nightlife, so it was only fitting for the Speedway to host this event under the lights for the first time. We encourage everyone to order their tickets early and guarantee their spot to kick off the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway."
The IndyCar Series has previously announced the following events for 2007:
April 1 St. Petersburg, Fla.
April 21 Twin Ring Motegi
April 29 Kansas Speedway
May 27 Indianapolis 500
June 3 Milwaukee Mile
June 9 Texas Motor Speedway
June 24 Iowa Speedway
June 30 Richmond International Raceway
July 8 Watkins Glen International
July 14 Nashville Superspeedway
Aug. 11 Kentucky Speedway
Sept. 9 Chicagoland Speedway
The remainder of the 2007 IndyCar Series schedule will be announced at a later date.
