IndyCar’s Richmond and Toronto races have been cancelled, while an extra race has been added to create a double-header at Road America instead.
IndyCar issued a revised calendar in April following the outbreak of COVID-19, making its calendar longer than before.
However, due to local restrictions, the third round at Richmond has been cancelled.
The 0.75-mile oval at Richmond was due to return to the calendar this year for the first time since 2009. It had replaced Pocono on the schedule.
The Toronto round was put in doubt recently when the city confirmed it was extending its ban on events with more than 250 spectators until September 1.
The event was hopeful of a rescheduled date on the calendar, but Thursday’s announcement confirmed the race would not be part of the 2020 IndyCar calendar.
STATEMENT: https://t.co/TpDVNby3ow pic.twitter.com/HOeojCPcPt
— Honda Indy Toronto (@hondaindy) May 21, 2020
The calendar is still set to start behind closed doors at Texas on June 6.
The second round at Road America has moved from June 21 to July 11-12 as the double-header.
That means the first Indianapolis road course race will be the second event on the calendar.
“Our teams and athletes are ready to get back on track and will deliver world-class action at Texas Motor Speedway and the Racing Capital of the World,” Penske Entertainment Corp. president and CEO Mark Miles said.
“We appreciate the opportunity to begin our season during these unprecedented times, and I’m confident we’ll put on a great show.”
It appears Road America is expecting to allow fans to attend its event.
In a press release issued by the track, its general manager and president Mike Kertscher said that “our vast 640-acre outdoor facility is widely regarded as ‘the safest place to watch a race’ because fans are not dedicated to a seat and can roam freely around the property to find their favorite viewing location.”
He also added that the circuit has worked with local brands to ensure more sanitising stations.
Revised 2020 calendar
June 6: Texas
July 4: Indianapolis road course 1
July 11: Road America 1
July 12: Road America 2
July 17: Iowa race 1
July 18: Iowa race 2
August 9: Mid Ohio
August 15-16: Indianapolis 500 qualifying
August 23: Indy 500
August 30: Gateway
September 13: Portland
September 19: Laguna Seca race 1
September 20: Laguna Seca race 2
October 3: Indianapolis road course 2
October 25: St Petersburg
