MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Three more doubleheaders have been announced for the NTT IndyCar Series amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
As expected, September races at Portland Int’l Raceway and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca have been canceled because of local and state restrictions involving the COVID-19 pandemic.
To make up for the loss of those three races – Laguna Seca was set to be a doubleheader – IndyCar has made the rounds at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway and the Harvest Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course doubleheader events.
Prior to the originally scheduled Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on Sunday, Aug. 9, IndyCar drivers and teams will square off in another event Saturday, Aug. 8.
In addition, the race weekends at World Wide Technology Raceway in August and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in October will become doubleheader weekends. World Wide Technology Raceway will host races on Aug. 29-30. IMS will add a road course race on Oct. 2 before the already scheduled event on Oct. 3.
“Our race fans have loved the exciting doubleheader action of the NTT IndyCar Series this year at Road America and Iowa Speedway,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President & CEO Mark Miles said. “We look forward to giving them even more world-class entertainment this season at three of the most exciting racetracks on the NTT IndyCar Series calendar.”
The cancellation of both the events at Portland and Laguna Seca were a mutual decision between the series and promoters following close consultation and monitoring of the local health situation. Series officials said they look forward to returning to both venues in 2021.
The NTT IndyCar Series remains on track to run 14 races this year.
The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course will open its gates to spectators again on a limited basis for The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio on Aug. 7-9. The event will operate under the Responsible RestartOhio guidelines for COVID-19 after receiving approval from the local health department for limited spectator attendance.
Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Customers are encouraged to purchase online in advance at midohio.com. Motorhome and tent camping will also be permitted during the event. The grandstands, paddock and pits will not be open to spectators to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
In accordance with Ohio’s statewide mask mandate in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, spectators are required to wear facial coverings while on property. They will also be subject to a temperature check and health screening when entering the facility. Fans should visit midohio.com/covid19 for more information on the essential health and safety protocols.
“Our team greatly appreciates the guidance and leadership of Morrow County Health Commissioner Stephanie Bragg working through the details with us on opening this event to a limited number of spectators,” said Craig Rust, president of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. “It was great to have our fans out for the Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio in late June which utilized best practices for COVID-19 protocols, and we’re grateful that race weekend went well. The cooperation of following all the COVID-19 protocols by everyone in attendance will be important for a successful Honda Indy 200 event.”
A very busy weekend at Gateway will hopefully follow the 104th Indianapolis 500, scheduled for Aug. 23.
The first IndyCar race will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29. The second IndyCar race of the weekend will take place on Sunday, Aug. 30. It will be known as the Bommarito Automotive Group Race to MEGA Savings Weekend. T
Both races will consist of 200 laps – a combined total of 500 miles around the challenging 1.25-mile oval. Qualifying will take place on Aug. 29. The first of two laps will be used to qualify the car for the first race, and the second lap will be used to set the field for the second race.
Saturday’s IndyCar race will be followed by an ARCA Menards Series event. On Sunday, the IndyCar race will be preceded by the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series event at 11 a.m.
“World Wide Technology Raceway has been committed to the NTT IndyCar Series since its return to our track in 2017,” said Curtis Francois, owner and CEO of WWTR. “Our goal always has been to be a great partner with IndyCar while working with the sponsors, teams and drivers to provide a safe, yet comfortable, entertainment experience for our tremendous fans. Hosting two IndyCar races in one weekend is a dream for the St. Louis racing community. Despite the unprecedented challenges we all face, it will enable us to provide a historic event for our city in a safe environment. Safe social interaction is at the core of our event and we are doing everything possible to make sure our fans have a worry-free experience.
‘We appreciate the various stakeholders, especially the Bommarito Automotive Group, who have rallied together for what should be an epic weekend of racing. The Bommarito Automotive Group’s support of the sport of INDYCAR racing has been tremendous since coming on board as a sponsor in January of 2017. This is a tremendous win to recognize them for their efforts with not one, but two nationally televised races for their dedication to motorsports. This will be the most historic event ever held at this venue.”
Due to limited seating capacity – which may change leading up to the event – fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.
Fans will be required to have masks for entry into the venue. Attendees are strongly recommended to practice proper health recommendations prescribed by the Center for Disease Control. Masks will be required while in common areas such as restrooms, midways and concession areas or anytime six feet of distancing cannot be maintained.
Track personnel will conduct temperature screening at all entry points. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will be asked to visit with on-site medical staff prior to entry into the venue.