IRL to open 2006 in St. Pete

Next year's Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg could open the Indy Racing League season, Indianapolis Motor Speedway vice president of communications Fred Nation confirmed Saturday. St. Petersburg's race was held April 3 this year and is expected to occupy a similar date in 2006. But because the IRL wants to condense its schedule, St. Pete could be first rather than third on the schedule. Nation said nothing has been decided because the IRL is negotiating with one or two new venues and working out TV schedules. He said the league hopes to announce its schedule in early September. This year, the IRL season began March 6 at Homestead and ends Oct. 16 at California. The IRL favors a more compact schedule so momentum can be carried from race to race. Ideally, Nation said, the season will begin in late March or early April, and end around Labor Day weekend. Tampa Bay Tribune

[Editor's Note: Interesting that Homestead is another ISC track and has been the season opener for many years. If St. Pete becomes the season opener, what happens to Homestead? Is this ISC race also in jeopardy or is it moving to April? Will Champ Car open in Sebring, FL. on March 19th in conjunction with the 12 Hours of Sebring, and if so, what affect if any does that have on the IRL's schedule changes? It's interesting that the "oval" based IRL series might want to open their season on a "street circuit" as the IRL business plan changes by the hour. Hmm……]