Mazda Road to Indy releases 2015 Schedules

The three series that make up the Mazda Road to Indy will again feature a diverse racing calendar primarily run in conjunction with the Verizon IndyCar Series in 2015.

Andersen Promotions – which operates the driver training program for the next generation of Verizon IndyCar Series stars – unveiled the racing calendar for all three series on Nov. 3. The slate features an expanded schedule of 16 races for each series with exciting new venues added to the traditional mix of circuits.

"We are excited to see our schedule grow for all three series next season," said Dan Andersen, Owner and CEO of Andersen Promotions. "After much input from our teams and partners, I think we have achieved the proper mix of circuits to prepare our drivers to progress up the ladder system.”

The Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires, which will debut its new AER turbo-powered Dallara IL-15 Indy Lights car in 2015, will compete at 10 tracks featuring a blend of four road courses, three street circuits and three oval events with six double-header rounds.

All but one event will be in support of the Verizon IndyCar Series as the season finale for all three series will take place at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in September.

“All three series will now compete across the border in Toronto, and we have added NOLA Motorsports Park and Iowa Speedway, as well as Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, which will be the site of our finale,” Andersen said. “It's a fantastic circuit and the perfect setting to close our season.”

Indy Lights competitors will vie for a new guaranteed three-race scholarship program to the Verizon IndyCar Series, including the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2016.

The focal point in next year's schedule will be the month of May at Indianapolis. The Grand Prix of Indianapolis will continue to feature all three Mazda Road to Indy series at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Two weeks later, the crown jewel of the Indy Lights season - the Freedom 100 - will continue to be the traditional 100-mile race on Carb Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.

The following day, the Pro Mazda Championship presented by Cooper Tires and Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda will stage the Freedom 90 and Freedom 75 events at nearby Lucas Oil Raceway in conjunction with the USAC Silver Crown Series. These will shift to an afternoon pair of races to avoid scheduling conflicts with other activities taking place that day.

Pro Mazda will visit nine circuits next year with five road course, two street circuit and two oval events while USF2000 contests eight venues with five road course, two street circuit and one oval round.

"Adding in the Cooper Tires Winterfest, Pro Mazda and USF2000 will have 22 races in total next year and Indy Lights will benefit from over 14 hours of track time at Winterfest,” Andersen said. “The interest in the Mazda Road to Indy is at an all-time high and I think you will see some surprises for next year across the board in all three series."

Indy Lights will continue to enjoy one-hour race broadcasts on the NBC Sports Network with primarily same-day coverage as well as live broadcasts on the IMS Radio Network to Sirius XM Satellite Radio, indycar.com, indycarradio.com and the INDYCAR app from Verizon. ESPN International holds the international broadcast rights with races airing in Canada, Colombia, Mexico and Australia amongst others.

Four one-hour Mazda Road to Indy highlight shows on the NBC Sports Network and MOTORS TV in Europe will continue in 2015, while RoadToIndy.TV will continue to provide behind-the-scenes access to all competitors on the Mazda Road to Indy.

Click images below to download the 2015 Schedules