By Brian Bielanski, Editor

(RacingWire) – The IZOD IndyCar Series announced Wednesday it won't be racing at Twin Ring Motegi in 2012. The Series has been racing at the Japanese track since 2003.

Motegi is the site of Danica Patrick's first and only IndyCar win and has welcomed Scott Sharp, Helio Castroneves, Dan Weldon, Tony Kanaan and Scott Dixon to victory lane.

The 1.5 mile egg-shaped oval is located just north of Tokyo and is a strategic venue for Honda the series' lone engine builder. Chevrolet has announced it will build engines for the IndyCar series beginning in 2012 and other engine manufacturers are said to be considering entering the series.

"We've enjoyed a great run at Twin Ring Motegi and thank our friends at Mobilityland and Honda Japan for hosting a great event over the past eight years," said Terry Angstadt, president of the commercial division for INDYCAR, the sanctioning body of the IZOD IndyCar Series. "While our businesses move in different directions, we will keep the door open for future events at the track.”

"As IndyCar and the IZOD IndyCar Series continue to evaluate their long term plans, we must look to build the sport and its viewership. We believe it is important that the final few events on our schedule give us the opportunity to be broadcast live during times that maximize our viewing audience as we build up to the championship. We will continue to meet with promoters domestically and internationally that want to pursue an IZOD IndyCar Series event.”

The last IndyCar race at Motegi will be September 18, 2011.