Race Distance: 150 miles/241.40 kilometers (75 laps around the 2-mile/3.12-km 12-turn temporary street circuit).
Television/Radio Broadcast: Television/Radio Broadcast: Live - Sunday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, IMS Radio Network, XM Radio 94 and Sirius Radio 212. The qualifying show airs at 6 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 1 on NBC Sports Network.
The Firestone primary and alternate tire specifications for Baltimore remain the same as those used earlier this season on street circuits at St. Petersburg, Long Beach, Brazil, Detroit, Toronto and Edmonton. The specs feature updated tread compounds for 2012 applied to the same Firestone Firehawk street-course tire construction used throughout 2011.
Per series regulations, all cars must use at least one set of primary tires and one new alternate set during the race, each for a minimum of two green-flag laps. Otherwise, teams are free to use their tire allotment as they see fit, though each car is limited to one set of tires (team choice of primary or alternate) for each qualifying segment.
Al Speyer, Executive Director, Firestone Racing: "Firestone Racing has been looking forward to returning to Baltimore ever since last year's incredibly successful debut. The city and its residents have really embraced our sport, and we're ready to put on another good show for them. This year should be even more exciting given the improved track layout which should provide more opportunities for passing. We will be utilizing our 2012 street course primary and alternate tire specification, so the drivers have plenty of experience on these particular tires. As the battle for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series championship reaches its penultimate event, the last thing the contenders will have to worry about is their Firestone Racing tires."
Firestone Racing History of Note: In last year's debut of the Grand Prix of Baltimore, race winner Will Power relied on his Firestone Firehawk tires to open up a significant gap on runner-up Oriol Servia, who was conserving fuel. Even with an additional pit stop, Power's ability to put down a series of quick laps that stretched his advantage secured his victory
