It’s not overwhelming – or even close to a majority – but there are quite a few people who are asking for the decision to have the 104th Indianapolis 500 without spectators. “Why bother?” seems to be the most popular phrase in the emails and texts I came across since the edict last week.
Now, I understand that Indy is special to many people for many reasons. Some families plan their holiday round each year, while others treat it as Christmas. It’s not just a race, it’s part of their being – whether it’s a 90-year-old like former USAC executive Bill Marvel, who has 75 consecutive Indy 500s under his belt, or a crazy fan like UPS – driver-turned-Indy 500 -tire man Scott Gauger. And the superfans who get a flag, program or helmet signed every May will not be allowed on the IMS grounds this week when the practice opens.
If one sporting event flourishes on fans and tradition, it is Indy, where the biggest event of one day throws up 250,000 and attracts young, old, wide-eyed, buzzed, blue collar, tattooed and curious. Not having that melting pot of sound, emotion and color is really hard to imagine.
But do not think that August 23 will not matter without a crowd. Indianapolis has always been, and always will be, the lifeblood of IndyCar racing. And in this year of fear and uncertainty of COVID-19, it may be more important for the pulse of the series than ever before.
“If the Indy 500 were canceled, we would give our sponsors a lot of money back,” replied former winner and longtime car owner Bobby Rahal when asked about the implications of not running Indy. “It would be a big problem for all teams. I do not think everyone is happy that they do not have fans – they make racing go, especially at Indy, and we are always lucky to have so many generations, to live and celebrate.
“But Indy means the most and it always has, and it’s what attracts the most sponsors to our series, so it’s necessary that we have it – especially this year.”
The Rahal / Letterman / Lanigan stall drops two cars all the way to Graham Rahal and Takuma Sato, and has added Spencer Pigot for this month. Unlike days away, when Bob Budweiser or Miller High Life had almost as sole fan, RLL got creative a few years ago because, honestly, it was necessary because it raised big money. So United Interest, Fifth Third, Total, One Cure, Fleet Cost & Care, Factory Motor Parts, People Ready, Panasonic, Keihin and Hy-Vee Abeam Consulting, Digital Ally, Aero, Luther Auto, Hendrickson, Norm Reeves Honda, Rousseau, ZEISS, Canon Printers, Acronis, XYZ Printing, Mechanix Wear, Manitowoc, Lincoln Electric and Hogan are partners that can be seen on one or all three cars and require different wrap arrangements race-to-race.
“Our sponsors use races, especially Indianapolis, as entertainment for their customers and clients, and they are not necessarily happy that they can not come to Indy, but they have super understanding,” continued the three-time IndyCar champion. “Along the way, most of our sponsors have at least ‘no travel mandates’, so even if we had the opportunity for hospitality, it would for the most part not matter because they can not travel.
“We do everything we can to meet their needs, and it’s more work for the crews who change deliveries twice a week. You just do what you can with what you have. ”
Rahal is quick to praise Roger Penske for making the most of an extraordinarily difficult situation.
“I have been saying all along, thank God we have Roger, and if he had not come up with doubleheaders, we would have lost some sponsors along the way,” he said. ‘If we somehow come up with 14 races, that’s pretty damn good, and it’s given us a chance to meet our goals. Everyone dances as hard as they can, and luckily Roger leads us. It will be for less money this year, but we are racing, and that is nice for our sponsors. ”
The captain, who has already spent $ 15 million on upgrading IMS and received limited or no sanctions for the first six races to add races, will not see a penny of cards, suites, concessions or souvenirs without paying customers. He has not been issued as a co-promoter as Mid-Ohio goes in September, and if St. Pete cannot get clearance in October, he will have to find another track or the Harvest GP at IMS will have to make a twin letter under Penske Entertainment.
“I have a problem with people criticizing Roger because he commits them to his commitment to IndyCar and the Speedway,” Rahal said. ‘I can not imagine what it would have been like if he did not name the shots, and sure, we could all make a hit this year, but what about him? Yet he has kept us on course in the most difficult times.
‘I get that Indy will not be the same, but it will still be a helluva race, and I think TV and radio will convey the excitement of the day. I hope people tune out to NBC in two weeks and give us the largest audience we have in years. That would be a nice thank you for everything Roger has done to keep us alive. ”
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