IndyCar lines up Watkins Glen or Gateway to replace Boston race

The inaugural Boston street race, scheduled for the Labor Day weekend on September 2-4, was cancelled by the promoter last Friday because of difficulty gaining the proper local authority approval.

Series CEO Mark Miles is "very confident" a replacement race for the same date will be finalised in the coming days.

Though he stopped short of confirming a venue, Miles spoke highly of Watkins Glen - the famed road course that last hosted IndyCar in 2010 and was once America's Formula 1 home - and Gateway International Raceway, which was last on the calendar in 2003 but has been pushing for a return.

"We've had an ongoing conversation for many months with Gateway, we think very highly of them," Miles told Autosport.

"If we looked at that as a possible replacement for Labor Day weekend this year we would want to make sure they have ample time to do it right.

"You only get one chance to make a first impression and that consideration would be foremost in our mind of possibilities.

"It's much more likely an existing circuit with an existing staff and fanbase can do it right."

Watkins Glen International president Michael Printup visited the Phoenix IndyCar race in April to assess whether to invite the series back to his track.

"Michael has checked in with us annually the last few years to check the level of interest," Miles said.

"That was probably not reciprocated by us because we didn't see a great opportunity."

Miles ruled out three other mooted possibilities - a return to Laguna Seca or Fontana, or a new street race in Providence, Rhode Island.

"It's simply too late to be starting from scratch trying to develop a street race in Providence so we aren't going to do that," Miles said.

"As for Fontana, no for the same reasons it came off the schedule.

"It's not that we don't think it's a great track and appreciate the events that have been there but you have to allow for the temperature out there.

"That pushes them for a night race and a night race on the West Coast is difficult for us as we are building for the climax of the championship and a finale."

Laguna has been ruled out due to its proximity to Sonoma, which hosts the final round later in September.

"We have not been able to find a time when it would work without giving us concerns about Sonoma," Miles explained.

"We have looked at both ends of the calendar for that and have not found an opportunity."