Photo: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The latest Road to Indy schedule change in response to global COVID-19 pandemic has pushed back the start of racing to June.
Road America is set to be the host of the Indy Lights, Indy Pro 2000 and USF2000 season openers on June 20/21 after the?races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, traditionally held in May, have been postponed by several months.
IndyCar’s first visit to IMS for its road course will take place on American Independence Day (July 4) and alongside the top two NASCAR series. The Road to Indy will be fitted into the schedule that weekend, with USF2000 holding three races.
After the trip to Toronto a week later, the Road to Indy will reconvene at Mid-Ohio on August 8/9. The circuit’s date has been brought forward by a week as the rescheduled Indianapolis 500 free practice starts on August 12.
The Indy 500 itself is now scheduled for August 23, with Indy Light’s supporting Freedom 100 race on the IMS oval occurring two days before. IP2000 and USF2000 will visit the nearby Lucas Oil Speedway oval a day later for their races.
?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 circuit owner Roger Penske.
?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.”
After that Indy Lights and IP2000 visit Gateway Motorsport Park, but their races on the oval will now take place a week later than originally planned on August 28/29.
There are plans in place to reinstate St. Petersburg on the calendar after the season opener was cancelled mid-weekend two weeks ago. If it returns to the schedule, it would likely do so as the season finale for all three Road to Indy series.