Phoenix, Long Beach to run back-to-back in 2018

The 2018 Verizon IndyCar series is going to look a lot like 2017 with the possibility of one new addition, but the spring swing out west is going to be well-received by fans and teams alike.

That's because instead of making separate trips to Phoenix and Long Beach like the past two seasons, RACER has learned those races will be back-to-back next year. Phoenix is scheduled to run under the lights on Saturday night, April 7, while the 44th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is set for April 15.

"It saves the owners money, plus wear and tear on the truck drivers and mechanics, and it gives fans a chance to make one trip and catch both races," said Mark Miles, the president and CEO of Hulman & Company. "I'm told it was like that in the past and it makes sense, so I'm glad we're able to make it work."

Miles has preached consistency for the past three seasons, and delivered. This year's schedule opened in late March and ends in mid-September with 17 races, and 2018's slate is very similar.

"We've stressed the importance of consistency from year-to-year in making the calendar, and next year's is about the same with one exception, and that could be the addition of another race," he said on Monday.

"We're working hard to fill that hole in early August and Portland, Mexico and western Canada are all in the mix."

Portland has been making in-roads for two years about IndyCar returning to the road course where CART/Champ Car staged races from 1984-2007, and Calgary is being explored by Kevin Savoree and Kim Green, the promoters of St. Pete, Toronto and Mid-Ohio. Mexico City hosted CART in 1980-'81 before CART/Champ returned in 2002-2007, and the hook for IndyCar this time around would be whether Esteban Gutierrez remains in the series full-time to give Mexican fans someone to cheer.

The other hope in the IndyCar paddock was that Iowa would go back to a Saturday night race instead of late Sunday afternoon, but it doesn't appear possible in 2018.