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 While most parts of the world are slowly heading back to a normal direction. There’s still some instances where motorsports are still affected by COVID-19 and it’s implications surrounding it. Friday, May 14, 2021 became the latest day where a slew of announcements unraveled. As driver and calendar changes were confirmed across three racing divisions. Here’s how the NTT IndyCar Series, NASCAR and Formula One were impacted: Carlin Won’t Compete in GMR Grand Prix The British based team confirmed this morning that its flagship driverRead 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 Seven-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton will be back with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team for the season finale at Abu Dhabi. Hamilton, a five-time grand prix winner at the Yas Marina Circuit, missed last weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix after testing positive for COVID-19 which marked the first time he wasn’t part of a GP weekend since his F1 career began in 2007. From there, he had to complete health protocols required by the FIA where he spent time self-isolating before being tested onceRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer Both Williams Racing and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team made the news waves Wednesday morning following their announcements that George Russell will fill-in for Lewis Hamilton (COVID-19) at this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix. With Russell taking over Formula One’s most coveted ride, it gave Williams reserved driver Jack Aitken an opportunity to make his grand prix debut this weekend as well. Those decisions were mutually agreed upon, something Team Principal and CEO of Mercedes Toto Wolff took time of thanking Williams because it wouldn’t have beenRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for COVID-19 and won’t compete in the Sakhir Grand Prix this Sunday. Following his 95th grand prix victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton woke up with mild symptoms Monday morning which led to two COVID-19 tests with both coming positive. This took place after testing three times last week, all returning negative including the afternoon of his victory last Sunday. As a result of being ruled out this weekend, the Brit’s streak of 265Read 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