The 104th run of the Indianapolis 500 will be one of the most unusual ever.
For the first time in its history, the Indy 500 will be held in August and will be released without any fans present, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske will give the command “start your motors” and write to fans:
“It’s disappointing to run the event without you all being here, but I know our drivers are determined and ready to put on a world – class show for anyone watching at home.”
So what’s in store for anyone looking at home on Sunday, August 23rd? Here’s what you need to know.
AFTERNOON DELIGHT:
Chris Graythen / Getty Images
The Indy 500 starts at 1pm on NBC. TV ratings for qualification were up 26 percent and with the 300,000 fans who would normally be seen from home, the Associated Press predicts large numbers of viewers on race day.
SINGING SURGEONS SALUTE
(Indianapolis Motor Speedway)
Surgeons from Mayo Clinic Dr. Elvis Francois and Dr. William Robison will perform the national anthem as a salute to America’s first responders on the fronts of the COVID-19 battle.
DE ANDRETTI CURSE… OF BLESSING?
Third-generation driver Marco Andretti will start from the pole position, the first in his family to do so since his grandfather Mario in 1987. No Andretti has won the Indy 500 since Mario’s victory in 1969, but Marco says the family feels blessed not to have suffered tragedies on the track over the years and hopes that the curse does not exist in August.
WINDOWS UP
The 2020 IndyCars has a new Aeroscreen windscreen designed to protect drivers from flying debris and in rollover crashes that also keeps the 240 mph wind from their faces.
FOURTH TIME IS THE CHARM
Darrell Ingham / Getty Images
Helio Castroneves is the only three-time winner in the field and has the chance to put AJ Foyt, Rick Mears and Al Unser at the top of the winning list with four, but he will postpone his work for him from 28th position .
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