Bernard confirms IRL will race in Baltimore in 2011
Baltimore officials have approved a contract and an IndyCar spokeswoman said the signing of a sanctioning agreement is a formality.
"We're excited," Bernard said during Indianapolis 500 practice on Friday. "There's a bunch of them (Baltimore officials) flying in here. We're excited to be heading to Baltimore."
The contract with a group of local investors calls for the race to be held every August for five years. City officials have estimated it will draw 100,000 spectators and generate millions in annual economic impact.
The race would be the Indianapolis-based league's only event in the mid-Atlantic region, giving it a foothold in a densely populated area that has little history with open-wheel racing. IndyCar also says it's considering adding a race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H. AP Story