INDYCAR released the race schedule for the 2013 Firestone Indy Lights season. We already knew the IZOD IndyCar Series schedule, so the details of the Indy Lights schedule really comes as no surprise. One thing I am rather surprised at is the absence of the Circuit Trois-Rivières from the schedule.
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Instead of racing in Canada, the Firestone Indy Lights series rejoins the IZOD IndyCar Series at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course the first weekend in August. This is going to make track time during the already jam-packed weekend at Mid-Ohio even more challenging to schedule!Other additions to the schedule include a race on the Tricky Triangle, Pocono Raceway, and a race at Reliant Park in Houston. In all, it looks like a pretty balanced schedule with five street circuits, two road courses, and four ovals. Best of all, among those oval races are three very different superspeedways, IMS, Pocono, and Fontana, and two short ovals, the flat Milwaukee Mile, and the 7/8-mile bullring of Iowa Speedway that in many respects drives like a superspeedway.
“Our goal is to create a schedule that will challenge our up-and-coming drivers while preparing them for the diversity of the IZOD IndyCar Series. For the 2013 season, we are adding one new oval, road course and temporary street circuit, which only enhances the strength of our schedule. To be crowned champion and earn the $1 million Mazda Road to Indy scholarship to the IZOD IndyCar Series, a driver must master each discipline on the circuit in order to maximize points opportunities.” — Tony George Jr., Director, Firestone Indy Lights
As with last year, all of the races will be broadcast on the NBC Sports Network, although dates and times haven’t been announced yet. While you’re waiting for the 2013 season to start, you can always relive the 2012 season on YouTube. INDYCAR has placed highlights of all of the Firestone Indy Lights Series races from 2012 on their YouTube channel on their Mazda Road to Indy Playlist.
2013 Firestone Indy Lights Schedule
| Date | Track | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 23-24 | Streets of St. Petersburg | St. Petersburg, Fla. | 1.8-mile street course |
| April 6-7 | Barber Motorsports Park | Birmingham, Ala. | 2.38-mile road course |
| April 20-21 | Streets of Long Beach | Long Beach, Calif. | 1.968-mile street course |
| May 24 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Indianapolis | 2.5-mile oval |
| June 14-15 | The Milwaukee Mile | West Allis, Wis. | 1-mile oval |
| June 22-23 | Iowa Speedway | Newton, Iowa | 0.875-mile oval |
| July 6-7 | Pocono International Raceway | Long Pond, Pa. | 2.5-mile oval |
| July 12-13 | Streets of Toronto | Toronto | 1.75-mile street course |
| Aug. 3-4 | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course | Lexington, Ohio | 2.258-mile road course |
| Aug. 31-Sept. 1 | Streets of Baltimore | Baltimore | 2.04-mile street course |
| Oct. 5-6 | Reliant Park | Houston | 1.7-mile street course |
| Oct. 18-19 | Auto Club Speedway | Fontana, Calif. | 2-mile oval |
