The Firestone Indy Lights will again offer one of the 'most diverse schedules' in motorsports in 2009, with 15 races divided among seven ovals, four temporary street circuits, and three permanent road courses, organisers announced today.
“The 2009 schedule includes three new venues and the series' first two races outside of the United States. All races will be held in conjunction with the IndyCar Series,” read a statement to the media.
“Just like the IndyCar Series champion, the Firestone Indy Lights champion has to succeed on all types of racing circuits," said Roger Bailey, executive director of the Firestone Indy Lights. "This schedule demands the ability of both drivers and teams to master a variety of venues and the challenges each one brings with the end result being a true champion and a driver that is fully prepared to be an IndyCar Series driver.”
For the seventh consecutive year, the Firestone Indy Lights season will begin competition in the state of Florida, but for the first time a doubleheader weekend on the Streets of St. Petersburg will open the campaign on April 4-5.
The series will then make its debut on the Streets of Long Beach on April 18-19 before beginning a string of four consecutive ovals which includes the series' premier event - the Firestone Freedom 100 at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 22, two days before the 93rd running of the Indianapolis 500.
The summer stretch also features a Canadian swing with debut races on the Streets of Toronto on July 11-12 and at Edmonton's City Centre Airport on July 25-26.
"The opportunity to compete on Carb Day at Indianapolis in front of more than 100,000 fans is an experience that is second to none for our drivers, teams and sponsors," Bailey added.
“Adding two events in Canada will also allow us to showcase the future stars of IndyCar Series racing to a new audience."
For the first time, the season will conclude at Homestead-Miami Speedway, which will host the Firestone Indy Lights for the seventh-consecutive season.
![Dillon Battistini (left) battles for the lead of the Jeld-Wen 100 at Iowa Speedway with Arie Luyendyk Jr [pic credit: IRL/McQueeney]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/459240.jpg)
