IndyCar might skip Edmonton, Phoenix in '13

While IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard is interested in adding to the series' 15-race schedule, a pair of venues could be losing their 2013 dates.

The Edmonton Indy will take place at the City Centre Airport Circuit on Sunday for the sixth time since 2005. While the contract runs through 2013, there is no guarantee the venue won't change before next year.

"It's not doing well this year," a source told The Globe and Mail.

"Without a title sponsor coming on board, (race promoter) Octane won't renew its contract to promote the race after 2013, but will see out its deal. Honestly, not having a title sponsor is the kiss of death for the race."

However, Bernard indicated during the Honda Toronto Indy that the goal was to add a third Canadian venue without "hurting" Edmonton, and that "everyone is committed to making it work." However, there are significant costs involved with logistics as well as landing a title sponsor.

"There is no secret that we would like to have a third race up here. I will say that I think that would be really good, but not hurting Edmonton or Toronto," Bernard said while at Toronto.

"It needs to be a market that (will) continue to grow Canadian motorsport and the IndyCar Series."

Another series stop in jeopardy is Phoenix International Raceway, which also lacks a major sponsor for 2013. IndyCar typically has a $1.5 million race fee, and Phoenix could be off the schedule next year for the first time since 2005.

"We are evaluating our options to determine if it makes more sense to wait until 2014," Bernard told The Arizona Republic. "We think there's significant value in that race and it's an important market to us."

The Republic reported that Phoenix International Raceway's operational costs would exceed $700,000 - not including the race fee - and the track proposed a marketing budget of just under $1 million.

"2013 is unlikely due to several issues, including timing ... we are continuing discussions regarding 2014 and beyond," IndyCar vice president for business affairs Matthew Breeden said in an e-mail to the Republic.