2020 Indy 500 postponed from May to August due to coronavirus crisis
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The Indianapolis 500 has been postponed from May 24 to Aug. 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The NTT Indycar Series announced the move Thursday and is also shifting the GMR Grand Prix, which runs on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course, from May 9 to July 4, the day before NASCAR’s Big Machine Vodka 400 at The Brickyard will be held on the oval track.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Since its inception in 1911, the Indy 500 has never taken place outside of the month of May and has only been canceled six times outright during World War One and Two.
“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,” NTT IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske said in a press release.
“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.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Qualifying for the Indy 500 will take place on the weekend of Aug. 15.
The start of the IndyCar season has been postponed and is currently scheduled to begin on May 30 in Detroit. Several other races have had their dates moved or canceled altogether, and the schedule currently stands at 13 races, down from a planned 17.
Most of the IndyCar field will be participating in the online IndyCar iRacing Challenge simulated racing series that's been organized to fill in during the interim.
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