The IndyCar® Series will headline automobile racing’s return to Detroit in 2007. Series officials joined city leaders and IndyCar Series championship-winning car owner Roger Penske to announce the addition of the Detroit Grand Prix to the 2007 schedule.

The race is scheduled for Sept. 2 on Detroit’s picturesque Belle Isle, an island park located just east of the central business district on the Detroit River. The 13-turn Raceway at Belle Isle will be staged on 2.096 miles of roadway on the island’s western tip.

“This is a great day for the city of Detroit as the Motor City welcomes back one of its exciting summertime events,” said Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. “Detroit has a rich history of being one of the nation’s best sports towns and excels at hosting large scale events like the Grand Prix.”

Detroit has hosted several recent marquee sporting events including the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and Super Bowl XL in February. The Detroit Grand Prix will serve as the IndyCar Series’ penultimate race.

“We saw with the Super Bowl earlier this year that large events can be the catalyst to move other projects forward in the city,” said Penske, who serves as Chairman of the Downtown Detroit Partnership as well as the organizer of the Grand Prix. “Unlike past race events in Detroit, money earned from the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix events will go back into a fund earmarked for Belle Isle Park improvements and maintenance for residents to enjoy year round.”

Detroit hosted Formula One races on a downtown street course from 1982-88. In 1989, CART raced open-wheel cars on the downtown street circuit. In 1990, the open-wheel race was moved to Belle Isle Park.  The last race was held on the island in 2001.

“We are excited about racing in Detroit,” said Brian Barnhart, president and COO of the Indy Racing League. “The island course will prove to be a worthy challenge for our drivers while at the same time providing fans with an exciting racing experience.”