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IndyCar and Road America reach three-year contract extension

By Asher Fair

18 Aug 1996: Alex Zanardi (Target) and Al Unser Jr. (Marlboro) fight their way through the pack during the Texaco/Havoline 200, round fourteen of the PPG Indycar World Series, at the Road America Course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Davi
18 Aug 1996: Alex Zanardi (Target) and Al Unser Jr. (Marlboro) fight their way through the pack during the Texaco/Havoline 200, round fourteen of the PPG Indycar World Series, at the Road America Course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Davi /
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IndyCar and Road America have agreed to a three-year contract extension to continue to allow the Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin venue to host an IndyCar race.

The 2018 Kohler Grand Prix, which was held earlier today, was the third IndyCar race at Road America since the track returned to the IndyCar schedule back in the 2016 season after it had not been on the schedule since the 2007 Champ Car season .

Now, IndyCar and Road America have agreed to a three-year contract extension through the 2021 season to allow the 14-turn, 4.048-mile (6.515-kilometer) road course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin to continue to host an IndyCar race.

Here is what Road America president and general manager George Bruggenthies had to say about the matter, according to IndyCar.com.

"“Ask any driver, from nearly every discipline, especially open-wheel, and they love this place. The track is designed to make full use of the natural terrain, with elevation changes and undulating turns that allow for intense speeds that test driver skill to the maximum. Combine that with our park-like atmosphere, open seating and great spectator locations and it all equates to IndyCar Series racing at its best.“We are very pleased to continue this relationship with INDYCAR and we look forward to many more incredible events at America’s National Park of Speed.”"

Here is Hulman & Company president and CEO Mark Miles had to say about the matter, according to IndyCar.com.

"“Road America represents everything good about INDYCAR racing, from the on-track action to the viewing opportunities to the fans and staff here. We welcome the chance to race here for years to come.”"

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Team Penske’s Will Power won the race at Road America from the pole position in his #12 Chevrolet in its first season back in 2016. That race featured a total of four lead changes. Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon became the second different winner of the race since its return in his #9 Honda when he won it last year after starting in fifth place. That race featured a total of six lead changes.

Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden became the third different winner of the race since its return in his #1 Chevrolet earlier today. He, like Power, also won the race from the pole position, and he only lost the lead during his first pit stop. The race featured a total of two lead changes.

Dale Coyne Racing’s Sebastien Bourdais is the only other active IndyCar driver who has won at Road America. He won the final Champ Car race at the track back in the 2007 season when he drove the #1 Cosworth for Newman Haas Lanigan Racing.

Next: Top 10 IndyCar drivers of all-time

Are you excited to hear that Road America is set to return as one of the tracks on the IndyCar schedule for at least another three seasons?