The 2022 IndyCar schedule has been released, featuring 17 races. But which ones are returning after a covid-19 hiatus, where is the season finale and will there be a NASCAR double-header again?
IndyCar 2022 schedule returns to normal
Since the covid-19 pandemic struck, most motor racing championships have had to alter their schedules.
Some races have become outright unviable due to travel and local restrictions.
This has led to an increase in double-header events at circuits to ensure a strong number of races are held to form a worthy championship.
IndyCar has been no different.
In 2020, it ran double-headers on four occasions, and had two in ’21.
For 2022, that falls to just a single double-header event at the returning Iowa Speedway short oval.
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To compensate, the Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle will be a single race event for the first time since 2012.
Elsewhere, the season-opener returns to its traditional home at St. Petersburg.
That will run on February 27th – the first February season-opener since 2004.
The trip north of the border to Toronto also makes a return for the first time since 2019.
Restrictions in the Canadian city had made the race unviable during the pandemic.
What about the Indy 500 and NASCAR double-header event?
The calendar is built around the Indianapolis 500.
The 106th running will take place on Memorial Day, Sunday 29th May.
IndyCar will return to IMS at the end of July for the second double-header with the NASCAR Cup Series.
Both those races will take place on the road course, this year’s first edition marred by kerb failures in the Cup race on Sunday.
August 7th will see the second race on the streets of Nashville after a hugely popular first try at the beginning of August this year.
The season will end on September 11th at Laguna Seca – the Californian road course returning to its end of season slot.
In total, there are seven road courses, five ovals, and five street tracks.
Penske Entertainment President and CEO Mark Miles believes that diversity is a strength for IndyCar.
“This is an excellent schedule for the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series championship,” he explained.
“This calendar provides a level of balance between temporary street circuits, road courses and ovals.
“That variety and required versatility from our drivers are important, distinguishing attributes of IndyCar racing.”
2022 IndyCar schedule
- February 27th – St Petersburg – street circuit
- March 20th – Texas – oval
- April 10th – Long Beach – street circuit
- May 1st – Barber – road course
- May 14th – Indianapolis – road course
- May 29th – Indianapolis 500 – oval
- June 5th – Belle Isle (Detroit) – street circuit
- June 12th – Road America – road course
- July 3rd – Mid-Ohio – road course
- July 17th – Toronto – street circuit
- July 23rd – Iowa – oval
- July 24th – Iowa – oval
- July 30th – Indianapolis – road course – NASCAR double-header
- August 7th – Nashville – street circuit
- August 20th – Gateway – oval
- September 4th – Portland – road course
- September 11th – Laguna Seca – road course
