After considering a "replacement for the cancelled race in Brasilia, Brazil, the Verizon IndyCar Series has opted not to stage a race March 8," according to Curt Cavin of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. That means the '15 season "will open March 29 with a street race" in St. Petersburg, Fla." Series officials "considered several options for a replacement, including a preview race at NOLA Motorsports Park outside New Orleans -- the inaugural event is April 10-12, and a first-ever trip to Circuit of the Americas, which is hosting the Pirelli World Challenge that weekend in Austin, Texas." But nothing "added up given the limited number of planning days." The first Brasilia race "was cancelled earlier this week by local authorities who insisted the financially strapped city couldn't afford to continue." The combination of events "leaves IndyCar with 16 races" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 2/3). The AP's Tales Azzoni noted if IndyCar "doesn't return to Brazil, the series could potentially add another race to one of the events already on the calendar, making it a doubleheader." Keeping the Brazil date "was important in part because of contracts already established with commercial partners and broadcasters." The deal was "signed by the previous government in Brasilia, which is in the midst of a serious financial crisis" (AP, 2/2).
