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2020 Indy 500 And More Races Postponed: Here’s More Info

It was announced today that the Indy 500, run every Memorial Day since 1946, will be rescheduled for August 23 due to the coronavirus crisis.“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,” …
by Thom Taylor
Published on
3 min read

It was announced today that the Indy 500, run every Memorial Day since 1946, will be rescheduled for August 23 due to the coronavirus crisis.“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 Roger Penske, who finalized purchasing IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier this year. 

“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,” he said. “We will continue to focus on ways we can enhance the customer experience in the months ahead, and I’m confident we will welcome fans with a transformed facility and a global spectacle when we run the world’s greatest race.”

The Indy 500 Races will improve with the capital improvements Penske has completed

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 26: A general view of the pagoda and front stretch of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the NTT IndyCar Series 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 26, 2019, in Indianapolis, IN.(Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Penske has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in capital improvements to the speedway this year. This looks like it gives workers more time to get it ready. “Memorial Day weekend has always provided Indianapolis 500 fans an opportunity to honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our nation’s freedom,” Penske Entertainment Corp. CEO Mark Miles said. “This August, we’ll also have a unique and powerful opportunity to honor the contributions and heroism of the doctors, nurses, first responders and National Guard members serving on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.”

The doubleheader Indy road course race will now be run on July 4, a day before NASCAR races at The Brickyard. The IndyCar kickoff race originally scheduled at St. Pete is now listed at the bottom of the IndyCar schedule without a date. 

Here’s how the month of August will look leading up to the Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 26: The crew goes to work on the car of IndyCar driver Ed Carpenter (20) of the Preferred Freezer Services Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet during a pit stop in the NTT IndyCar Series 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 26, 2019, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The way that August at Indy will work is with practices Aug. 12-13, followed by “Fast Friday” on Aug. 14, and weekend qualifying Aug. 15-16. The following week is dark until Aug. 20, with the final Indianapolis 500 practice on Friday, Aug. 21 as part of Carb Day.

Here are updates on many other races throughout the world:

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – MARCH 22: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (Editors note: This image was computer-generated in-game). Garrett Smithley, the driver of the #51 Chevrolet, leads the field at the start of the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series Dixie Vodka 150 at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 22, 2020, in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

March 26: The Goodwood Festival of Speed, originally set for July 9-12, postponed to TBD.

March 19: The Mille Miglia, originally scheduled for May 13-15, postponed to Oct. 22-25.

March 19: Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, originally scheduled for June 28, postponed to Aug. 30.

March 19: Formula One Dutch Grand Prix, originally scheduled for May 3, postponed.

March 19: Formula One Monaco Grand Prix, originally scheduled for May 24, is canceled.

March 19: Formula One Spanish Grand Prix, originally scheduled for May 10, postponed to TBD.

March 19: Formula One announces rules changes set to begin in 2021 postponed to 2022.

March 18: World Endurance Championship organizers announce 24 Hours of Le Mans, originally scheduled for June 13-14, postponed to Sept. 30-Oct 1.

March 16: Isle of Man TT, scheduled for May 30 to June 13, canceled.

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – MARCH 22: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (Editors note: This image was computer-generated in-game). Dale Earnhardt Jr., the driver of the #8 FilterTime Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series Dixie Vodka 150 at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 22, 2020, in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

March 16: NASCAR is suspending the season until May 3. NASCAR plans to hold all 36 races.

March 15: Circuit of the Americas announces it’s temporarily closing the track and laying off staff.

March 13: Formula One Australian Grand Prix, originally scheduled for March 15, canceled.

March 13: Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix, originally scheduled for March 22, postponed.

March 13: Formula One Vietnamese Grand Prix, originally scheduled for April 5, postponed.

March 13: Formula E is suspending the season through March and April, with a possible return in May.

Feb. 12: Formula One Chinese Grand Prix, originally scheduled for April 19, postponed.

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Staff Writer

Thom Taylor

Thom Taylor is a celebrated automotive journalist. He was awarded the Top 100 Most Influential People in Hot Rodding from Hot Rod Magazine, and was inducted into the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame and the National Rod and Custom Hall of Fame. He’s a member of SEMA and the NHRA.

Thom has authored a number of books, including Hot Rod & Custom Chronicle and several guides for drawing vehicles like a pro, which pull from his distinguished ventures as an automotive illustrator.

Thom joined the MotorBiscuit team in 2019, and focuses his coverage on new vehicle releases, design, and the latest features and tech in the industry. His tenure of 25 years writing about the industry gives him a unique context for the auto news he covers, whether it’s part of the Rusty Monday series or the latest news from Chevy. Thom has built two complete cars from the ground up and driven vintage roadsters at the Indy 500.