The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be held about two weeks earlier than usual next year.

Athough the IndyCar series has not announced next year's schedule, motorsports media outlets are reporting the downtown street course race will be held March 11-13. And the city confirmed those dates to the Tampa Bay Times.

Some hotel and business owners have said they prefer the earlier date for at least next year because Easter falls on March 27. The race would not be held on Easter under any circumstance.

The grand prix, which began in 2003 with a different racing series and promoter, has been a successful event for the city, drawing as many as 100,000 people over three days in years when the weather has cooperated.