The Verizon IndyCar Series trend of small, measured growth is reflected in the 2017 schedule announced Thursday.?The 17-race slate is almost identical to the 2016 schedule, with the exception of Phoenix moving from early April to the end of the month and the addition of a night race at Gateway Motorsports Park.?Its the earliest that IndyCar has announced its schedule in a decade, and officials hope the additional advance time will help promoters build on the increased attendance the series has seen at many venues in recent years.?The foundation of it, and the priority for us, is to the greatest extent possible have continuity and date equity from year over year with our races, said Hulman Motorsports CEO Mark Miles. We want to just grow that base carefully, and I think the 16 plus one or 17 for 17 demonstrates that.?The March 12 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg serves as the IndyCar opener for the 13th consecutive year, followed by a momentum-killing, four-week gap prior to the 43rd annual Long Beach Grand Prix, set for April 9.?Unlike a year ago, when Phoenix preceded Long Beach, the desert mile has been shifted to April 29 to avoid a conflict with the NCAA Final Four, which is set to be staged at University of Phoenix Stadium from March 31-April 3. The popular road course event at Barber Motorsports Park splits the western races with an April 23 date.?Following the traditional month of May activities at Indianapolis, the schedule is identical to 2016 through late August, when the 1.25-mile Gateway oval returns to the IndyCar rotation for the first time since 2003.?Under new ownership, the track has been repaved and upgraded, and the addition of another oval helps the balance of the schedule, which now features six ovals races, six on natural terrain road courses and five on temporary street circuits.?Our fans who think of it from many years ago will be delighted with what they see at Gateway, Miles said. Its a terrific place, and it was designed for IndyCar racing. Itll be a compelling race for sure, another short oval were pleased to add.?After being added to the 2016 schedule at short notice to replace a street race in Boston that failed to get off the ground, Watkins Glen International announced a two-year contract extension with IndyCar that keeps the Labor Day weekend date through 2018. The championship again wraps up on the road course at Sonoma Raceway.?Miles stated that all of the current IndyCar tracks have contracts through 2018. Work continues to create an international race to start the year in February, with the revival of an IndyCar race in Surfers Paradise, Australia, the most obvious solution.?Having tasted success with the return of longtime Indy car venue Road America this year, the series current management is more open to considering former CART tracks such as Portland International Raceway, which would fit nicely into the August gap in the schedule in 2018. Finding another warm-weather domestic event to run in March is another priority.?I dont see it expanding in the next year or so in any major way, but given the demand and the interest, I think well have good choices and can be quite careful, Miles said.?Its not a coincidence that the makeup of the 2017 IndyCar schedule looks a lot like those from the 1980s and 90s, when the sport was in its most successful era. The variety of tracks is enjoyable for fans and challenging for drivers and teams.?If you seek to be the best and the most well-rounded driver within the world, I think IndyCar is really the only championship that offers that, said star driver Josef Newgarden. From a driver standpoint, the IndyCar championship is really kind of a dream championship if you seek to be the best at all disciplines. Air Max 97/1 Sean Wotherspoon Fake . Blackwood, 28, has played the last three seasons in the San Diego Padres system, including the past two summers with Class AA San Antonio of the Texas League. Air Max 97 Fake For Sale . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. http://www.outletairmax97.com/ . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Air Max 97 Have a Nike Day . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Air Max 97 Plus Cheap . Cuban testified Thursday that he was upset when the companys CEO told him news that would reduce the value of his shares, for which hed paid $7.5 million. But he said he did nothing improper when he sold those shares over the next two days. CARDIFF, Wales -- Gareth Bale set Wales on the path to reaching its first World Cup since 1958 with a double strike and an assist in a 4-0 victory over Moldova at the start of qualifying on Monday.The empathic display, albeit against a wretched Moldova side, was the first outing by the Welsh since they stunned the continent by reaching the European Championship semifinals in July.That was history, Bale said. Now its time to make some more.Bale was the inspiration on the field in the Group D qualifier just as he was in France, taking his international tally to 24 goals -- only four behind Wales all-time record scorer Ian Rush.Bales first goal in Cardiff was one of the easiest he will ever be gifted.A back pass from Moldova defender Ion Jardan was inexplicably sent into the path of Bale, the only Wales player in the visitors half, four minutes into the second half. Bale darted forward with the ball before lifting it over the goalkeeper.Jardan also assisted Bales second goal in stoppage time. The Real Madrid forward was pushed over by the happless Jardan in the penalty area and he converted from the spot.ddddddddddddIn the first half, Bale provided the cross that was headed in by Sam Vokes for Wales opener and he won the corner that Joe Allen scored from just before the break.---GEORGIA 1, AUSTRIA 2Martin Hinteregger headed in the opener and Marc Janko struck Austrias second before half time. Jano Ananidze pulled one back for Georgia late in the second half but Austria survived a nervy ending to match Wales by winning the opening qualifier.---SERBIA 2, IRELAND 2At the age of 33 on his 24th Ireland appearance, Daryl Murphys search for a first international goal ended. And the Newcastle forward couldnt have timed it better, netting the equalizer in the 80th minute in Serbia.Jeff Hendrick had fired Ireland into a third-minute lead but Filip Kostic and Dusan Tadic scored within five second-half minutes to give Serbia the advantage until Murphys header. ' ' '