Providence looking to host IndyCar race

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Federal Hill, start your engines?

City officials led by Providence Mayor Angel Taveras have spent the past few months trying to lure IndyCar to Rhode Island's capital city after learning the organization is considering bringing a Grand Prix race to New England. Taveras attended a race in Baltimore last Saturday as part of the effort.

"I'm hopeful something will come of it," Taveras told WPRI.com on Thursday. He said the race would be an economic boon to the city by bringing more business to local hotels and restaurants, and said the effort is part of a broader push by Providence to bring more tourism into the capital.

Taveras and Jim Bennett, his economic development director and chairman of the R.I. Convention Center Authority, are still tight-lipped about where the effort stands - or where the route would go - but they expressed cautious optimism.

"Ultimately, the decision to bring a race to the region rests with IndyCar," Bennett told WPRI.com. "Providence is putting its best foot forward to bring the race here while protecting residents and taxpayers from bearing any financial risk."

IndyCar is the trade name of Indianapolis-based Indy Racing League LLC, which administers various open-wheel auto races including the famed Indianapolis 500. Its parent company is privately held Hulman & Co. of Terre Haute, Ind.

"The Grand Prix would have an incredible economic impact and would help market Providence to the world," Bennett said. "My office will continue to work with IndyCar and we are hopeful that they'll make the decision to bring their series to New England."

Ted Nesi ( tnesi@wpri.com ) covers politics and the economy for WPRI.com and writes the Nesi's Notes blog. Follow him on Twitter: @tednesi

Tim White contributed to this report.