IndyCar adds New Orleans' NOLA Motorsports Park to 2015 calendar

The series will visit the 13-turn, 2.67-mile road course on April 10-12, two weeks after the first scheduled United States race of the season in St Petersburg.

"We're delighted about the opportunity to showcase the IndyCar Series at NOLA Motorsports Park and to IndyCar fans in the greater New Orleans area," said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Co, the parent of IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"The commitment from track owner Laney Chouest and his associates, combined with the support we received from the state of Louisiana, was the catalyst in making this come to fruition.

"New Orleans has a history of hosting successful major sporting events and we're thrilled to be able to add the Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana to the 2015 IndyCar Series schedule."

The deal comes off the back of a $4.5 million commitment from the state of Louisiana for circuit upgrades, which are already underway.

Changes will include a reconfiguration to the layout, which was designed with input from IndyCar drivers James Hinchcliffe and Graham Rahal.

"I'm really excited about going to NOLA next year," Hinchcliffe said.

"Having seen the track and the changes they are going to make, I think it'll be great to drive. Great for fans, too, because you can see most of the track from the stands, which is rare on road courses."

The 2014 IndyCar season will close at Fontana this weekend. An IndyCar statement said that the full 2015 schedule, which is expected to open with races in Dubai and Brasilia, will be released later this year.