Amid concerns of the COVID-19 crisis that is spreading across America, the NTT Data IndyCar Series had planned on starting its 2020 campaign with its annual Detroit doubleheader weekend.
Now, instead, the series has decided to cancel the event since the outbreak in Detroit has been especially bad.
IndyCar Cancels Detroit, Releases updated schedule
“We’re committed to bringing fans as much on-track action as possible,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said in a release. “Our updated schedule features additional racing at fan-favorite venues and adds to the total number of events on our calendar. The COVID-19 situation continues to be dynamic and challenging for everyone, so we have developed contingency plans which will allow us to respond to changing conditions. Our goal is to preserve as much racing competition as possible while prioritizing the health and safety of our participants and spectators.”
The new schedule, which can be seen below, features a variety of changes, including a move from 14 races to 15 on a short calendar.
The series will now plan to open on June 6 at Texas Motor Speedway for what is usually quite a lengthy race. There is no word yet on if distances for each race will stay the same or change.
Two tracks were awarded doubleheader weekends including Iowa Speedway and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to help pad the amount of races the competitors are competing in for points.
The race weekend for Iowa Speedway will move the ARCA race to Saturday afternoon on July 18 in front of IndyCar, who will race both Friday and Saturday.
“Our commitment to our guests, partners and community will remain strong as we deliver a marquee bucket-list weekend,” Iowa Speedway President David Hyatt said in a release. “Our track provides some of the best short track racing in the country, making this a can’t-miss weekend for both open wheel and stock car fans.”
The series also added a second race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course which is scheduled for October 3.
“Like our fans, we’re disappointed we won’t be racing in Detroit this year,” Miles said in the release. “However, we’re excited to return to Belle Isle in 2021 and know we’ll put on a great show for everyone when we do. We also appreciate the flexibility and support of our event promoters at Iowa Speedway and Laguna Seca, who have enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to host double-headers.”
Updated IndyCar 2020 Season Schedule
Jun. 06 | Texas Motor Speedway
Jun. 21 | Road America
Jun. 27 | Richmond Raceway
July 04 | Indy GP at the Road Course
July 12 | Streets of Toronto
July 17 | Iowa Speedway Race 1
July 18 | Iowa Speedway Race 2
Aug. 09 | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Aug. 23 | 104th Indianapolis 500
Aug. 30 | Gateway
Sep. 13 | Portland International Raceway
Sep. 19 | Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 1
Sep. 20 | Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 2
Oct. 03 | IMS Road Course Race 2
TBA | Streets of St. Petersburg
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