The NTT IndyCar Series announced a re-vamped line-up for its 2020 open-wheeled season Thursday and with it came adjustments to both the annual Indianapolis 500 and the fourth installment of the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 held in August at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois.
Photo Credit: INDYCAR – Chris Jones
As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 104th running of the Indy 500, a longtime staple of Memorial Day Weekend, was pushed to Sunday, August 23. Officials from both IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway said that a start time and additional details for “The Greatest Spectacle of Racing” would be revealed shortly.
“The month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is my favorite time of year and like our fans, I am disappointed that we have had to reschedule the Indianapolis 500,” said IMS and Team Penske owner Roger Penske. “However, the health and safety of our event participants and spectators is our top priority, and we believe that postponing the event is the responsible decision with the conditions and restrictions we are facing.”
Photo Credit: INDYCAR – Chris Jones
The rescheduling of the Indy 500 was one of numerous shuffles for a season that is now tentatively slated to launch with the dual Streets of Detroit races on May 30 & 31.
The weekend that the Indy 500 now occupies was originally scheduled for the IndyCar race held at World Wide Technology Raceway. As a result, the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 event moves ahead one weekend and the 248-lap race will be held on Sunday, August 30 at 2 p.m. at the 1.25 mile oval.
“The current situation requires that everyone be fluid, solve problems and work together,” said WWTR Owner and CEO Curtis Francois. “We are grateful for their continued support and will be coming up with creative ideas for the promotion of the event.”
Photo Credit: INDYCAR – Joe Skibinski
The tentative docket at the Madison complex begins Friday, August 28 and stretches over the entire weekend.
“We now are in conversations with the other sanctioning bodies involved with the race weekend to develop a new event schedule of activities. We will be providing updates as soon possible so that our fans can enjoy a great weekend of racing in St. Louis.”
For more information on the NTT IndyCar Series, go to their official website.
By trade, he is a six-time, regional Emmy Award-winning news videographer/editor for KTVI/KPLR-TV. By hobby, he is a writer for Arch City Media, dating back to February 2014. Emphasis is on featuring and promoting local women's sports, but will cover anything that is not reported by traditional media outlets. Also a contributor to local concert reviews.
