Despite speculation that two poorly-attended races may lead to it being dropped from the 2007 Indy Racing League schedule, Infineon Raceway has agreed terms for a return to the calendar next August.
The Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County will be held on Sunday 26 August and adds a third permanent road-course event to the 2007 season, alongside Watkins Glen and the recently-confirmed Mid-Ohio date. The IndyCar Series made its debut on the twelve-turn circuit in 2005, making it the first permanent road course event in the series' history, and added to its record of landmarks when 19-year old Marco Andretti claimed his first IRL victory to become the youngest driver to ever win a major open-wheel event in the US.
"In just two years, Infineon Raceway has become a significant destination for our drivers and teams," said IRL COO Brian Barnhart, "We look forward to working with [circuit president and general manager] Steve Page and his staff to continue to grow this event and give us a significant presence in the northern California market."
The Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County will also feature an Indy Pro Series double-header, as the supporting class also returns for the third consecutive year.
"The sound of IndyCar Series cars rumbling through the hills has become an instant tradition in the Sonoma Valley," Page said, "We look forward to welcoming the stars of the Indianapolis 500 back to Infineon Raceway next summer."
With no suggestion that further dates are imminent, the 2007 IndyCar Series schedule appears as follows:
March 24
Homestead-Miami Speedway*
April 1
St Petersburg*
April 21
Twin Ring MotegiApril 29
Kansas SpeedwayMay 27
Indianapolis Motor Speedway*
June 3
Milwaukee Mile*
June 9
Texas Motor SpeedwayJune 24
Iowa Speedway*
June 30
Richmond International RacewayJuly 8
Watkins Glen International*
July 14
Nashville SuperspeedwayJuly 22
Mid-Ohio Sports Car CourseAugust 11
Kentucky Speedway*
August 26
Infineon RacewaySeptember 2
Raceway at Belle IsleSeptember 9
Chicagoland Speedway*
* denotes Indy Pro Series support
