IndyCar chief executive officer Randy Bernard seemed to be picking up positive vibes at the Grand Prix of Baltimore.
"I'm very tickled with the way it's going," Bernard said during a meeting with a small gathering of media Sunday morning. "The Andretti group has done a good job organizing the event and J.P. Grant has stepped up. All the venders have been taken care of, eliminating any embarrassment."
Bernard also said he was pleased with the Saturday crowd for the American Le Mans Series race Saturday and expects to see even a bigger crowd today.
Baltimore to be back on schedule?
As to whether the Grand Prix will return to Baltimore, Bernard said the IndyCar Series Board of Directors will meet Sept. 20 to finalize the 2013 schedule. That gives Baltimore officials 18 days to finalize plans. Bernard said it would be enough time for Race On LLC to sort through the after-race information and added that he does not want to be making multiple announcements about the schedule.
"I want one announcement for the schedule," he said. "As for Baltimore, I had a very good conversation with J.P. Grant. He's been a huge supporter of this race and wants it to work for the city. He definitely would like to see it back on the series schedule."
Bernard said he expects to have a 19-race schedule next season.
Changes to course
IndyCar officials have announced several changes on the course for today's Grand Prix IndyCar race.
* A short stack of tires has been placed at the apex of the turn. The tire stack is short enough so drivers can see over it.
* The wall on drivers' left has been moved to a less harsh angle
* The wall at drivers' right was not moved.
Newton-John released
Firestone Indy Lights driver Emerson Newton-John, who was taken to the University of Maryland-Baltimore Shock Trauma on Saturday after an accident, was checked and released Saturday night. He has been cleared to race in Sunday's race, IndyCar medical director Dr. Michael Olinger said.