IndyCar strikes out in search for Brasilia replacement

INDYCAR was scrambling to find another venue to replace its scheduled March 8 race in Brasilia, the series stated on Groundhog Day. It said it studied several possible sites in the week past and was unable to find a replacement.

“Due to the lack of time for suitable planning and the limited number of options, the series has concluded it is not feasible to organize a replacement race on that weekend,” INDYCAR said.

'Other opportunities'

The sanctioning organization is intending to find other opportunities for its Verizon IndyCar Series teams and drivers at that time, following a review of the current testing schedule.

In other words, they might - or may not - allow the teams some added testing time in preparation for the balance of the 17-race season, so that the new aerodynamic kits that come into play for the now-season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg might be tested further.

Who did they call?

So I’ve got to wonder: who did they call? Could it have been Phoenix? Nah, too close to the Cup date. Homestead-Miami Speedway? Would that track even consider the Indy car series again? A date at Circuit of the Americas in conjunction with Pirelli World Challenge? Now that might have been interesting but that weekend - same as the Brasilia date - shows PWC as a stand-alone event.

The statement from INDYCAR was so shallow that it really doesn’t say much. No surprise.