The NTT IndyCar Series doubleheader race weekend at Iowa Speedway next month will be held with fans in attendance. The race is currently the first event of the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series that will be held with fans, with confirmation yet to be given as to whether the preceding race weekend at Road America will also be held with spectators.
When IndyCar, as well as other racing series, were announced to be returning after delays brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, all had to face the reality of racing during these challenging times. This meant, amongst other things, that events would have to be held with essential personnel in attendance only. This included racing without spectators at the track.
IndyCar’s first event of the delayed 2020 season, the Genesys 300 at Texas Motor Speedway, was held without spectators, with drivers commenting about the weird atmosphere and how they wish there had been a live audience. The second round, the GMR Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix Circuit on Saturday, July 4, will also be run without spectators after IndyCar officials confirmed that Indiana’s lockdown rules would prevent them from welcoming fans.
Today comes the first announcement of an event that will be held with spectators. The 2020 Iowa 250s will be run with fans in attendance and with various facilities and procedures put in place to ensure social distancing and to try and limit any potential spread of the COVID-19 virus.
“Under the guidance of public health officials, medical experts and local, state and federal authorities, INDYCAR and Iowa Speedway will observe safe social distancing and provide enhanced hygiene and safety precautions for all fans in attendance at the event,” IndyCar’s statement read today, “Only a limited number of tickets will be available for the upcoming race weekend with each group of fans in attendance separated by at least 6 feet of distancing at Iowa Speedway, in order to align with Iowa state COVID-19 guidelines.”
“As part of the enhanced health and safety measures for the event weekend, all guests will be screened in their vehicles with contactless temperature checks before entering the parking areas and only essential racing personnel will have access to the infield,” the statement went on to say. “Hand sanitizer and face coverings will be distributed to each guest when they enter the track, and enhanced cleaning and sanitizing procedures will be implemented throughout the facility over the course of the weekend.”
The Iowa 250s event will consist of a pair of NTT IndyCar Series races, one held on Friday, July 17 and the other held on Saturday, July 18. Both races will be held under the floodlights. Saturday’s race will also be preceded by an ARCA Menards Series event earlier in the day.
The Iowa 250s races will be the fifth and sixth rounds of the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series. The third and fourth rounds will be held at Road America on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12. As of yet, it has not been confirmed whether fans will be allowed to attend the race. Confirmation is expected in the next few weeks, as the event is just over three weeks away.
The next round of the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series, the GMR Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Grand Prix circuit, will be held on Saturday, July 4.
