IndyCar passes on Brasilia replacement

After considering a replacement for the cancelled race in Brasilia, Brazil, the Verizon IndyCar Series has opted not to stage a race March 8.

That means the 2015 season will open March 29 with a street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Series officials considered several options for a replacement, including a preview race at NOLA Motorsports Park outside New Orleans -- the inaugural event is April 10-12, and a first-ever trip to Circuit of the Americas, which is hosting the Pirelli World Challenge that weekend in Austin, Texas. But nothing added up given the limited number of planning days (32).

Series spokesman Mike Kitchel said Monday it is important for IndyCar to hold proper events rather than rushing one onto the schedule.

"This is our season opener, and you want to do it right," he said.

That doesn't mean IndyCar will sit idle that weekend. The new bodywork kits are due to arrive to the teams by March 1, and it's possible an open test could be added to the schedule.

The first Brasilia race was cancelled earlier this week by local authorities who insisted the financially strapped city couldn't afford to continue. The combination of events leaves IndyCar with 16 races, including the Indianapolis 500 on May 24 and two races in Detroit (May 30-31).

Follow Curt Cain on Twitter: @curtcavin