2012 IndyCar Scheduling Philosophy
In order to bring the IZOD IndyCar Series to the greatest, most serious race fans in the world, it must run companion weekends with other series (both greater and lesser in stature) and attract these fans. It must reinvent itself in its scheduling by eschewing smaller markets in which it is the undisputed headliner, and attempt to assert itself in larger markets.
Among the opportunities for growth are events at tracks hosting major sports car events; for example, the soon-to-be-resurfaced Daytona International Speedway, Sebring International Raceway, and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. IndyCar already runs alongside the American Le Mans Series at events like the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Finally, the series will take a novel, environmentally-friendly approach to scheduling by following a geographically sensible path after the season opening event at Sao Paulo, Brazil. By starting its North American schedule on one end of the continent, working across the country, and ending in Florida, and by bringing more versatile equipment across the country for the year, instead of making dozens of trips back to the Indianapolis shops, teams can save on travel costs and pollute far less.