Doug Boles Tag

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 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 Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson had his much anticipated NTT IndyCar Series test with Chip Ganassi Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course Tuesday. It was third time’s a charm as the COVID-19 pandemic postponed an initial test with Arrow McLaren SP at Barber Motorsports Park back in March. Even earlier this month, Johnson was supposed to test with Ganassi following the “Indy Crossover” before testing positive for COVID-19, forcing him to miss his first NASCAR Cup race. On his way to theRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer The Indianapolis Motor Speedway confirmed Friday that the 104th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge will only be limited to 50% attendance. Track president J. Douglas Boles stated that with COVID-19 postponing the race from May 24 to August 23 and the unknown of having max capacity at large venues (IMS’s grandstand seating capacity is 250,000), attendance limitations had to be made. “We’re committed to running the Indy 500 on Sunday, Aug. 23 and will welcome fans to the world’s greatest racing venue,” said Boles. “We willRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer The latest slew of changes on the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series calendar due to the COVID-19 health crisis unfolded Monday with new doubleheaders, a third stop at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the cancellation of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix being the headlines. Starting off with the latter, Belle Isle Park’s doubleheader that was scheduled to take place on May 29-31, 2020. Monday’s announcement meant the 2.35-mile circuit becomes the fourth INDYCAR venue officially cancelled, joining Barber Motorsports Park, Long Beach and Circuit of the Americas asRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief LONG BEACH, California – Sam Schmidt will go faceoff against racing icon Mario Andretti at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 13. The duo will take the fight in semi-autonomous cars on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile permanent road course prior to the INDYCAR Grand Prix. Schmidt fell victim to a crash while testing an Indy car in 2000, having been paralyzed ever since. He teamed with Arrow Electronics and will pilot the Corvette Z06 SAM – a car modified with sensors and innovative technology that allows him toRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief The Verizon IndyCar Series will take to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval on Friday, instead of the previously scheduled Saturday. The 2.5-mile oval plays host for the first oval test of the season, with the session moved ahead by a day due to the likelihood of inclement weather on Saturday. A surprisingly quick turnaround for the series as it will come just three days following a full field test at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Chip Ganassi Racing will be represented by all four ofRead More

A new piece of racing history came to life today as reigning race winner Alexander Rossi and officials unveiled the colorful, coveted ticket for the 101st Indianapolis 500. Hulman & Company President and CEO Mark Miles and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles joined 100th Indianapolis 500 winner Rossi of Andretti Autosport during ceremonies at the Cummins Distribution Headquarters in downtown Indianapolis. The ceremony started a day of activities to mark 101 days from Race Day for this year’s edition of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Sunday, May 28Read More

By Frank Santoroski, Staff Writer A word to the wise, if you haven’t purchased your tickets for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, get your order in soon. As reported in the Indianapolis Star, tickets are moving at a brisk rate, and Speedway officials are optimistic that the event will see the first sell-out crowd since the pre-split era. Reserved ticket sales have already surpassed the mark set last year, with more than two months remaining before the event. The numbers will not top the crowd in 1995 dueRead More