It was the series' first of six planned seasons under Izod title sponsorship, a multimillion-dollar deal which was announced on November 5, 2009.

Power was even more dominant in the road course championship, finishing each of the nine races in the top three, with five wins in São Paulo, St. Petersburg, Watkins Glen, Toronto and Sonoma.

Dixon won on the ovals at Kansas and Homestead-Miami, as well as a victory in Edmonton after Castroneves was penalised for blocking on a late-race restart.

[112] New events included a season-opening street race in São Paulo, Brazil, and the new Alabama Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park.

[10] O  Oval speedway R  Road course S  Street circuit † – The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was originally scheduled for March 28 (3:30 PM on ABC) but was postponed to the next day due to torrential rain.

The Kentucky test was washed out by weepers – water seeping up onto the track from six inches of overnight rain – and no times were set.