Houston Left Off IndyCar Series Schedule for 2009

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 30, 2008) The IndyCar Series will announce its 2009 schedule today but due to previous contractual obligations, the IndyCar Series will not be able to include the Grand Prix of Houston for next year. MJ Promotions, owner of the Grand Prix of Houston, had organized a proposal for the IndyCar Series with the help of local government and community leaders, and series officials traveled to Houston in June for a presentation and site visit. Although scheduling the event for 2009 was not possible, IndyCar Series and MJ Promotions officials confirmed today that discussions are ongoing about bringing the racing series to Houston in 2010.

“We were very impressed by the presentation and we are confident that Houston could be a great market for the IndyCar Series,” said Terry Angstadt, president, commercial division, Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body for the IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights. “However, due to contractual obligations and our desire to grow the schedule in a way that will work for all involved it was impossible to add all of the races we would have liked for 2009. We are looking forward to continuing to work with Mike Lanigan and MJ Promotions on the possibly of racing at Reliant Park in the future.”

Mike Lanigan, CEO of MJ Promotions, added, “While we are disappointed that the IRL was not able to accommodate Houston in 2009, we are very optimistic about the prospects for 2010. Our company remains committed to returning the Grand Prix to the great city of Houston.”