Indy 500 does its best to shine as show goes on in pandemic
Its importance to the survival of IndyCar teams meant the race had to be staged, even if fans weren’t allowed inside Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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Party canceled: Indy hosts saddest Carb Day in race history
In 2020, Carb Day was little more than a two-hour Friday practice session three months after the usual Memorial Day holiday weekend so familiar to the race.
Roger Penske to Indianapolis 500 fans: ‘I wanted you here’
Roger Penske will not pretend he is not disappointed that he can’t open the gates to spectators for his first Indianapolis 500 as steward of the iconic event.
NBC poised to bring unprecedented Indy 500 to huge audience
The network is hoping to deliver a broadcast that educates what could be one of the largest audiences in race history while also turning some casual fans into avid ones.
An Andretti wins first Indy 500 pole for family in 33 years
Marco Andretti was 2 months old the last time his venerable racing family led the field to green at the Indianapolis 500.
Drivers get on track at empty Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The show is going on at Indianapolis, but it certainly isn’t the same. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a ghost town. The pandemic forced the speedway to proceed with “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” without spectators and their absence is clearly being noticed.
Alonso confident in McLaren prep for another Indy 500 attempt
The former Formula One champion, who failed to qualify for the race last year in a spectacularly woeful effort by McLaren, has returned to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a third attempt at winning.
Indy 500 blackout lifted; 500 Festival Parade, other events called off
The decision to allow local fans to watch the race live comes one day after Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced plans to reduce attendance capacity for this year’s race to 25%.
Indy 500 to run with crowds at 25% of capacity
Officials said that ticket sales for the Aug. 23 race will not be permitted after Friday, which could further limit the number of people who attend the 104th running of the Indy 500.
Penske adds golden touch to iconic Indy—His ‘Mona Lisa’
Penske gave a two-hour tour of the speedway this week, showing off with dizzying detail the new landscaping, paved lots, planted trees, picnic tables, widened pedestrian paths, hand dryers in every bathroom, improved sight lines, pressure-washed buildings, freshly painted signs and LED monitors everywhere.
UPDATE: Indy 500 to run with stands at 50% capacity, IMS officials say
About 175,000 tickets—most of them renewals—have been sold for the race, IMS confirmed to IBJ. Ticket requests are still being accepted, going into a queue for fulfillment after existing ticketholders have been accommodated.
Motorsports research body hires new director, relocating to Indianapolis
The International Council of Motorsport Sciences, established in Indianapolis in 1988, will relocate from Texas later this month after hiring veteran motorsports exec Tom Weisenbach as its new executive director.
IBJ Podcast: Will the Indy 500 run with fans in the stands? IMS officials say yes.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials are putting all their energy into running the Indy 500 with fans in August, despite continuing concerns about big crowds and the coronavirus.
NASCAR bans Confederate flag from its races, venues
The ban was announced before Wednesday night’s race at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, where the series’ only black drive, Bubba Wallace, drove Richard Petty Motorsports’ No. 43 Chevrolet with a #BlackLivesMatter paint scheme.
Penske: Indy 500 to run in front of fans in August or be moved to October
NBC Sports said Saturday night’s season-opening IndyCar telecast drew nearly 1.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched series race outside the Indianapolis 500 on any network since 2016.
Brickyard 400, affiliated races to run without spectators on July 4 weekend
Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials said allowing spectators would be too difficult because of possible social distancing restrictions in place for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Derek Daly says money ‘secondary’ issue in suit against Emmis, Colts, broadcasters
Former IndyCar driver and longtime television racing analyst Derek Daly said he’s not looking to settle a lawsuit he filed last week against Emmis Communications Corp., the Indianapolis Colts, former announcer Bob Lamey and Emmis on-air sports personality Joe Staysniak.
Green flag: IndyCar to open delayed season without spectators
IndyCar has gotten the OK to finally start its season next month with a nighttime race in Texas.
Dual IndyCar, NASCAR event at Speedway could be a ‘go’ on July 4
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s five-stage roadmap to reopen the state reaches its end on July 4 — the very day an IndyCar-NASCAR Xfinity Series doubleheader is scheduled to be run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
President of fast-growing Kennedy Tank & Manufacturing dies of COVID-19
Patrick William Kennedy was the fourth-generation president of three family-owned companies, an avid runner and an active participant in motorsports activities.