MIPS: Series hits the road courses in 2005.

The Indy Racing League Menards Infiniti Pro Series will feature a series-high 14 races in 2005, including three events on road courses and one street course, league officials have announced.

The Menards Infiniti Pro Series will become the first series to race twice in the same season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The third Futaba Freedom 100 is scheduled for the 2.5-mile oval on 27 May, while the series will race the road course during the United States Grand Prix weekend.

With the exception of the second race at Indianapolis, the Menards Infiniti Pro Series runs in conjunction with the IRL Series.

The 2005 season will mark the first time the series races on tracks other than ovals. The series will hold a street-circuit event at St. Petersburg on 3 April, and will race on road courses at Indianapolis, Infineon Raceway on 28 August and Watkins
Glen on 25 September.

"This is an historic moment for the Menards Infiniti Pro Series," Roger Bailey, executive director of the Menards Infiniti Pro Series said. "By lengthening the schedule and adding road races, we will increase our ability to attract the top young driving talent from around the United States and the world. To be able to showcase the series, our drivers, teams and sponsors twice at Indianapolis in the same year is extraordinary."

For the second consecutive season, Homestead-Miami Speedway will play host to the opening race on 6 March. The season will conclude at California Speedway on 16 October. The ten oval races will be 100-mile "sprints."

2005 IRL Menards Infiniti Pro Series calendar: INFINITI PRO SERIES SCHEDULE

6 March* Homestead-Miami Speedway19 March* Phoenix International Raceway3 April* St. Petersburg Grand Prix27 May Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Oval)10 June Texas Motor SpeedwayDate TBC USGP weekend Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Road course) 16 July* Nashville Superspeedway24 July* The Milwaukee Mile13 August Kentucky Speedway21 August* Pikes Peak International Raceway28 August* Infineon Raceway11 September* Chicagoland Speedway25 September* Watkins Glen International16 October* California Speedway

* Denotes races held on the same day as IRL IndyCar Series races