IndyCar releases 17-race 2022 schedule

The NTT IndyCar Series has released the 2022 schedule, which includes 17 rounds running from February 27 through September 11.

One of the more interesting parts of the schedule is the early start, with the opening round from St. Petersburg taking place in late February.

The early-season start gives some flexibility in the schedule, should events need to be delayed on account of surges in the ongoing COVID pandemic.

Included in the schedule is a return to Iowa Speedway, which was previously announced as part of a partnership with local grocery chain Hy-Vee.

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The Iowa race is now the year’s only double-header, and it also sits among back-to-back weekends of racing, giving an additional challenge to drivers and teams alike on the short oval.

Texas Motor Speedway and Detroit are now single races, shifting from the double-headers that have been present in recent years.

Texas also shifts forward to March, much earlier than its traditional spot in June.  This should help alleviate concerns around the Lone Star State’s extreme summer heat.

There is also the return of a shared weekend with NASCAR, with both top series running the Indianapolis road course on the last weekend in July.

“This schedule continues to build on the growth and momentum the NTT IndyCar Series has achieved, especially in 2021,” Penske President and CEO Mark Miles said in a statement.

“Our terrific partnership with NBC Sports has led to a fantastic opportunity to place an unparalleled 14 events on broadcast television while completing the rest of the schedule with USA Network and Peacock.

“Our drivers and teams will give the fans a strong, earlier start with six consecutive races on NBC, building even more anticipation for the crown jewel of the Indianapolis 500 in May.

“Our summer schedule also is full of action, with no extended breaks in the calendar, leading into the crowning of a champion on the West Coast with our last two races also on NBC.”

As previously announced, one race from Toronto will not be shown on traditional television in America, and will only be shown on NBC’s streaming service Peacock.

14 of the races will take prime positioning on NBC’s over-the-air channels, however, giving larger audiences the opportunity to view a majority of the season.