IndyCar schedule to remain at 15 races

Jun 25, 2012 - 9:18 PM Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - IndyCar officials revealed on Monday they will no longer pursue a replacement for the canceled August 19 race in China.

The 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season will include 15 races, ending with the September 15 event at Fontana, CA, which has now been extended to 500 miles in distance.

Following the cancellation of China earlier this month, IndyCar had been seeking a potential replacement to keep this year's series schedule at 16 races.

"After carefully considering all possible options for an additional race, we felt it was in our best interest to keep our schedule at its current 15-event lineup," IndyCar Chief Executive Officer Randy Bernard said in a statement. "We want to make sure that when we add events to our roster they have long- term potential and are given every opportunity to be successfully promoted. The more we explored, the more we felt like we were rushing what could be good, long-lasting opportunities for the sport."

The season-finale at Auto Club Speedway had originally been scheduled for 400 miles. The two-mile racetrack last hosted a 500-mile IndyCar race in 2002, which was won by Jimmy Vasser.

"We wanted to do something special to enhance the excitement to the season finale and renew the tradition of 500-mile open-wheel races in Southern California," Bernard said. "We think it's something our fans will enjoy and adds another element to what is already shaping up to be an exciting championship battle."

After winning last Saturday night's race at Iowa Speedway, Ryan Hunter-Reay moved to within three points of leader Will Power. The next IndyCar race is slated for July 8 in Toronto.