Indy 500 postponed to August in coronavirus measures

The 2020 Indianapolis 500 has been postponed until August 23 following coronavirus measures.

The traditional ‘Month of May’ centrepiece has been under threat following previous IndyCar schedule changes which have delayed the start of the season indefinitely.

The Indy 500 will now take place on August 23, effectively three months after its initial May 24 slot, while the Grand Prix of Indianapolis will become part of a historic double-header with NASCAR run on the United States’ Independence Day on July 4 – the first time in history both IndyCar and NASCAR have competed at the same venue on the same weekend. The Grand Prix of Indianapolis had been set to take place on May 9.

“The Month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is my favourite time of year, and like our fans, I am disappointed that we have had to reschedule the Indianapolis 500," Roger Penske said.

“However, the health and safety of our event participants and spectators is our top priority, and we believe that postponing the event is the responsible decision with the conditions and restrictions we are facing.

“We will continue to focus on ways we can enhance the customer experience in the months ahead, and I'm confident we will welcome fans with a transformed facility and a global spectacle when we run the world's greatest race.”

Indy 500 practice will begin on August 12 with Fast Friday on August 14 ahead of the qualifying weekend on August 15-16.

Fernando Alonso returns to the Indy 500 for his third attempt having failed to qualify last year competing for McLaren.