IndyCar: Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle returning to the schedule in 2019

The Detroit Grand Prix is set to return to the IndyCar schedule in 2019, and it is set to be held on the streets of Belle Isle for the seventh consecutive season.

After rumors swirled about the Detroit Grand Prix either being completely taken off of the IndyCar schedule or potentially remaining on the schedule but being removed from the streets of Belle Isle, it has been confirmed that the race will return to the schedule in 2019 and beyond and that it will do so on the streets of Belle Isle.

The streets of Belle Isle have hosted the Detroit Grand Prix in 19 of the last 27 seasons, including the last seven. A total of 25 IndyCar races have been held on the streets of Belle Isle during this span, as the track has hosted doubleheaders in each of the last six seasons. It is set to do so again in the next three years as well.

The Detroit Grand Prix is set to return to the streets of Belle Isle for at least three more years starting next year, and the agreement between race organizers and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has an option that could extend the race at this location for an additional two years.

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The streets of Belle Isle began hosting one CART race per season from the 1992 season through the 2001 season. After that, they hosted one IndyCar race in both the 2007 and 2008 seasons before being left off the schedule once again.

In the 2012 season, the streets of Belle Isle returned to the IndyCar schedule, and they did so by hosting their traditional one race. However, in the 2013 season, they began hosting two races, as IndyCar introduced full points-paying doubleheader races there. Doubleheader races have been held at the location ever since 2013.

Since returning to the IndyCar schedule in the 2012 season, the streets of Belle Isle have featured nine different winners in the 13 races that have been held there. Scott Dixon won the race in the 2012 season while Mike Conway and Simon Pagenaud each won one of the races in the 2013 season.

In the 2014 season, Will Power and Helio Castroneves each won one race on the streets of Belle Isle. In the 2015 season, Carlos Munoz and Sebastien Bourdais each won one race there, and in the 2016 season, Bourdais and Power each won one race.

In the 2017 season, Graham Rahal became the first driver to sweep the weekend and win both races on the streets of Belle Isle. This season, Dixon and Ryan Hunter-Reay each won one race there.

Here is what the chairman of the Grand Prix, Bud Denker, had to say about the race returning to the schedule in the 2019 season, according to Autoweek.

"“We are excited that the Detroit Grand Prix will continue at Belle Isle for the next several years, and we want to thank the State of Michigan for working with us on this new agreement, as well as our partners with City of Detroit and the Belle Isle Conservancy. This event means so much to Detroit, to Windsor and our entire community. We are proud to showcase the beauty of Belle Isle around the world every year and to make such a positive impact on the local economy with over $50 million in total spending generated annually as a result of the Grand Prix. Most importantly, we want to continue our goal of improving Belle Isle Park. The Grand Prix has made over $13.5 million in improvements on the island over the last decade, and we know there’s still a lot more work that needs to be done. Our team looks forward to building on all of the positive momentum and being part of the remarkable renaissance going on at Belle Isle.”"

Here is what the president of the Grand Prix, Michael Montri, had to say about the race returning to the scheduled in the 2019 season, according to Autoweek.

"“We listened to all of the feedback, and we appreciate everyone’s perspective and support of the Grand Prix. This was an important process for all of us, and we’ve made some significant changes to the event over the years as a result of the input we received from the public, as well as our partners. We’re now focused on celebrating the 30th Grand Prix in Detroit’s history in 2019, and we’re excited to be back on Belle Isle.”"

Are you excited to hear that the Detroit Grand Prix will be returning to the IndyCar schedule on the streets of Belle Isle next season and for several years to come, or would you rather see the doubleheader races either be contested somewhere else or not contested at all? The doubleheader races there in 2019 are scheduled to be contested on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2.