IndyCar To Return To Belle Isle, Racers Take On Course At Quicken Loans [Video]

By Edward Cardenas

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Two of the biggest names in IndyCar were in Detroit Thursday for the announcement of the coming 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series, which includes a doubleheader race on Belle Isle Park for the third consecutive year.

IndyCar champion Will Power and Helio Castroneves, who both won one of the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit races in 2014, visited locations throughout the region to promote the upcoming season and take part in big wheel races at the Quicken Loans headquarters in Detroit.

During the stop at Quicken Loans - which announced Thursday that it would sponsor  the Dual in Detroit for the next two years - also helped promote the start of ticket sales for three-day Chevrolet Belle Isle Grand Prix May 29-31, 2015.

"We are the only race in the IndyCar Series that will have two races in one weekend," said Bed Denker, chairman, Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, who added last season there was three dual races in the series. "It is tough on the drivers, tough on the teams but the fans, they love it."

The Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans will feature full IndyCar races Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31. When the drivers and races fan visit the Raceway at Belle Isle next year they will find over a mile of new concrete surfaces, new sidewalks and better drainage.

"It is going to be much better place for everybody involved and much better race track for us as well," added Denker, of the improvements that will be utilized by the Grand Prix and park visitors throughout the year.

Power, who beat out his teammate Castroneves to win the 2014 championship, said taking the title took off some "pressure" after being the winningest driver in the last five years and not winning a championship.

"It is something I worked the last 15 years toward, and finally getting it done after (finishing) second three times is very satisfying," he said.

Teammate Castroneves is pleased to return to Detroit, where he won his first career race in 2000. But he is also honored to be racing on the home track of his boss - Roger Penske - who led the effort to renovate the course and island.

"What he did to Belle Isle ... is incredible," said Castroneves. "Detroit is the place to be."