IPS: Infiniti Pro Series 2003 ESPN2 schedule

IRL Infiniti Pro Series events return to ESPN2 in 2003.

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003 - All 2003 Indy Racing League Infiniti Pro Series events will be broadcast on ESPN2 in the United States and distributed worldwide through ESPN International, series officials announced Jan. 22.

Produced by IMS Productions, the 30-minute shows will feature race coverage and unique profiles of Infiniti Pro Series drivers and teams. Each race will be televised within two weeks of the event, with the July 6 race at Kansas scheduled to air at 7 p.m. (EDT) on race day.

"We're delighted to continue our relationship with our partners at ESPN2 as we grow the Infiniti Pro Series," said Roger Bailey, executive director of the Infiniti Pro Series. "As they did last year, the shows will feature great race action and the driver profiles that allow fans to get up-close-and-personal with the stars of the Infiniti Pro Series."

Veteran motorsports commentators Dr. Jerry Punch and Amy East will serve as host and pit reporter, respectively, for the 30-minute shows. An IRL IndyCar Series driver analyst will join Punch in the booth at each race.

The second season of the Infiniti Pro Series will begin with the Miami 100 on March 2 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The 100-mile Infiniti Pro Series "sprints" will take place at the same track and on the same weekend as IRL IndyCar Series events except for the Indianapolis race, which is tentatively scheduled to take place May 24 at Indianapolis Raceway Park, the evening before the 87th Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Infiniti Q45 engines will power Dallara Automobili chassis built for the series, with Firestone Firehawk tires used exclusively on all cars. The V8 engines will produce approximately 450 horsepower for the single-seat winged chassis, providing an ideal training ground for the 650-horsepower, single-seat winged cars of the IRL IndyCar Series.

<pre> 2003 IRL Infiniti Pro Series Television Schedule

Race Date               Track                                   ESPN2 Broadcast Date    Time
Sunday, March 2         Homestead-Miami Speedway                Friday, March 7         4:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 22      Phoenix International Raceway           Friday, March 28        1 p.m.
Saturday, May 24*(**)   Indianapolis Raceway Park               Tuesday, June 3         4:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 14       Pikes Peak International Raceway        Saturday, June 28       12:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 6          Kansas Speedway                         Sunday, July 6          7 p.m.
Friday, July 18**       Nashville Superspeedway                 Monday, July 21         4 p.m.
Sunday, July 27         Michigan International Speedway         Thursday, July 31       3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 9        Gateway International Raceway           Tuesday, Aug. 12        3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16**     Kentucky Speedway                       Monday, Aug. 18         4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6       Chicagoland Speedway                    Thursday, Sept. 11      4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20      California Speedway                     Thursday, Sept. 25      2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 11 T     exas Motor Speedway                     Friday, Oct. 17         3:30 p.m.

All times Eastern (New York) * -- tentative ** -- night race

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