IndyCar: Mark Miles on 2016 schedule prospects

The 2016 Verizon IndyCar schedule remains a work in progress with three major question marks but Mark Miles is pushing to have answers by the end of this month.

If Mexico City, Milwaukee and Pocono can be signed, IndyCar will expand to an eight-month, 18-race card next year that starts in mid-February and ends in mid-September.

"I don't want to put the schedule out with TBAs and then add races – I'd rather give it the time it takes to get it finalized," said Miles, the president and CEO of Hulman & Company who also runs IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "I think Mexico City is still looking good and we have to decide whether we can save Milwaukee and Pocono or try and find another oval. We've got a couple of other options but they may not be until 2017.

"I know everyone is anxious to see the 2016 schedule but it's just not ready yet. I'd love to unveil it by the end of the month."

Opening the season on Feb. 14 in Mexico City is the goal.

"There's strong interest and we're hopeful IndyCar can return to Mexico City," said Miles of the road course that CART and Champ Car raced on in the early 1980s and 2000s (RIGHT: CART in Mexico City in 2002).

"But, as with all international races, they're not done until they're signed and I'm not going to handicap it just yet."

Miles said he hadn't met any resistance from Bernie Ecclestone, who is bringing Formula 1 back to Mexico City in November, and IndyCar has the blessing of Carlos Slim, the richest and most powerful man in Mexico who partnered with Chip Ganassi in sports cars for years with Memo Rojas.

The American season will open March 13 in St. Petersburg, Fla. and Miles dismissed the recent reports of city council unhappiness with the street race.

"I think IndyCar has a permanent home in St. Pete," he said following discussions with the mayor.

Although Phoenix has yet to be signed, Miles reports the oval built for Indy cars in 1964 was "looking good" for a return after a 10-year absence on April 3.

Texas is set for June 11 and Iowa Speedway is scheduled host IndyCar for the 10th straight year on July 10 but the rest of the ovals are in limbo. Fontana isn't returning and the jury is still out on Milwaukee and Pocono.

Michael Andretti threw in the towel after three years of promoting Milwaukee and Road America president George Bruggenthies has decided not to try and promote both IndyCar shows in Wisconsin next year. (IndyCar goes back to Elkhart Lake on June 26, 2016 following an eight-year absence). Miles was asked about the interest in keeping the oldest oval in IndyCar's history.

"My understanding is that the Fair Board would like to keep the race if they can figure out how to do it economically," he replied. "And find a date that works."

Would IndyCar be willing to be the co-promoter?

"We're open to anything where we can add value and make an event work," he continued. "But the co in co-promoter is important because I'm not sure what value we have going in alone. You need a partner that's engrained into the community."

After three less-than-impressive turnouts at Pocono, the Tricky Triangle has not yet committed to 2016. President Brandon Igdalsky told RACER a couple of weeks ago the track wanted to stage five major events each year but hadn't made up his mind about IndyCar.

"We'll see how this plays out," said Miles. "The crowd was up this year but we and the promoter will need to conclude the market is right for a successful event year after year. This will be decided soon."

If Milwaukee and Pocono go away, Miles may have to look to Richmond, Kentucky, St. Louis or Michigan to fill the oval-track void and month of August It's known the managers of Gateway Raceway in Madison, Ill. have been pursuing IndyCar about a date for the past two years.

August might be pretty barren without ovals but the season will end later with the inaugural street race at Boston on Sept. 4 and Sonoma closing out the season on Sept. 18.

EDUCATED GUESS OF INDYCAR 2016

Feb. 14 – Mexico City*

March 13 – St. Petersburg

April 2 – Phoenix

April 17 – Long Beach

April 24 – Birmingham

May 14 – Indy GP @IMS

May 29 – 100th Indianapolis 500

June 4-5 – Detroit double-header

June 11 – Texas

June 26 – Elkhart Lake

July 10 – Iowa

July 17 – Toronto

July 31 – Mid-Ohio

Aug. 22 – Pocono*

Sept. 4 – Boston

Sept. 18 – Sonoma

* tentative