coronavirus Tag

By Kirby Arnold, Staff Writer  INDIANAPOLIS – Six months ago, I wasn’t sure this day would happen. Or to be precise, could happen.  The COVID-19 pandemic was strangling the world last December, and nobody knew how to loosen that grip or when it would. Positive test numbers climbed at an alarming rate, and while some people got over it fairly easily, many got really sick. And people died, some I knew personally, and it scared the you-know-what out of me. A vaccination was on its way, but when?  Frankly, when I got my first vaccination on Valentine’s Day and the secondRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer Ideal news for racing fans and the entire NTT IndyCar Series paddock. Ranging from the competitors and media pupils alike, the news people were waiting for arrived Thursday. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced they’ll be allowing approximately 135,000 fans, which will be up to 40% of venue capacity. Tremendous progress compared to last August when the 500 went on under closed doors. Following the approval by Marion County Public Health Department, next month’s race is expected to be the largest event since the pandemic. WithRead More

By INDYCAR INDYCAR officials have announced the 2021 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is being rescheduled for Sunday, April 25 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The move creates a condensed, action-packed early-season schedule for 2021. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to the Streets of St. Petersburg after Josef Newgarden’s thrilling win last October, which culminated with Scott Dixon’s sixth series title. NBC will remain as the television home of this year’s race on the tight, demanding street layout. “It’s not surprising that an event of this magnitude, scheduledRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer From Spa-Francorchamps to Indianapolis, Ben Hanley and his entire DragonSpeed squad has had an extremely tumultuous 2020 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 35-year-old racer out of Manchester, England didn’t found out that he was going to compete in his second Indianapolis 500 until August 5th – four days before opening day of practice. Where exactly was Hanley when he got the news? Competing in the 4 Hours of Spa with DragonSpeed as the race marked Round 2 of the European Le Mans Series whereRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer The time has come. The Greatest Spectacle in Racing is near and while many folks want to commentate about the obvious absence of fans in the stands, there’s still a few things they can look forward to in the 104th renewal of the Indianapolis 500. For the first time since 1987, an Andretti will lead the field to the green flag as Marco, who’ll be competing in his 15th Indy 500, is hoping to cap off an amazing month at IMS with a Borg-Warner Trophy. Should he winRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer With the 104th Indianapolis 500 Presented by Gainbridge being four days away, all the talk have focused on NTT IndyCar Series drivers regarding their feelings about going through the COVID-19 pandemic, especially races like the 500 going on without fans. On Wednesday, it was finally the executives turn to shed light on their very tumultuous year as Mark Miles, Doug Boles and Jay Frye reflected on their road to the 104th Indy 500, but also the current championship campaign which has completed its first six ofRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer For the third time this season, a NASCAR Cup Series driver has tested positive for COVID-19. This time, it’s July Texas winner Austin Dillon, who’ll miss Sunday’s Go Bowling 235 at the Daytona International Speedway road course. Taking over Dillon’s ride will be journeyman Kaz Grala, who’ll make his Cup debut in the No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE. Grala is no stranger to road racing as some of his best drives have came at the left and right turns, including last Saturday’s XfinityRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer The final set of races have been confirmed by NASCAR Thursday with several changes to the playoffs and some series returning to race tracks once more or the first time in a long while. The Cup Series was the least affected with the announcement as all 10 playoff venues remain the same despite rumors of Las Vegas and Texas swapping dates due to the the former hosting the Electric Daisy Carnival. The quest for the championship will begin at Darlington Raceway (Sept. 6) and will wrapRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer Team Stange Racing, LLC announced via Facebook on Wednesday their intentions of not participating in the 104th Indianapolis 500 Presented by Gainbridge. With alarming concerns of not having 33 entries due to the COIVD-19 pandemic, there have been a few drivers and teams being rumored of having a last-minute entry for the 500-mile race that’ll commence Sunday, August 23 behind closed doors. However, the one-off NTT IndyCar Series entry won’t be among those entering to fill up the 33-car quota this year and will concentrate onRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer For the first time in the history of the Indianapolis 500, there won’t be fans surrounding the 2.5-mile circuit as the extremely unpopular yet difficult decision was confirmed Tuesday morning. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway issued the following statement regarding this month’s race: “It is with great regret that we announce the 104th Running of the Indianapolis 500 will take place on Aug. 23 without fans. This tough decision was made following careful consideration and extensive consultation with state and city leadership. “As dedicated as we wereRead More