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Major Events Modified In Response To Coronavirus
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[Editor’s note: This news story has been updated on March 13, 2020. For the latest on major race series’ operations, visit here.]
In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, several racing series, event organizers and tracks have decided to modify, postpone or cancel industry gatherings. The following are official statements from race organizations regarding their operations as of Thursday, March 12.
NASCAR
“At this time, NASCAR will hold its race events at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway without fans in attendance. These events will be restricted to competitors, crews, officials and other necessary personnel to conduct the race. We will work with public health officials as we determine future scheduling beyond these events,” a written release stated.
In regard to media coverage at Atlanta this weekend, previously credentialed print and digital media members are welcome to join the race weekend on-site, with select changes to race day operations. Photographers will not be allowed, as NASCAR’s photography partner Getty Images will serve as a pool photographer for the event. Those with questions should reach out to the NASCAR Communications staff.
For the latest information, visit nascar.com.
INDYCAR
"INDYCAR and Green Savoree Racing Promotions, in conjunction with the city of St. Petersburg, announced Thursday that all activities surrounding Sunday's season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be closed to spectators and limited to essential personnel only.
"The race weekend will operate from Friday through Sunday, with INDYCAR on-track sessions limited to Saturday and Sunday. The activities also include Road To Indy, IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup, and SRO Motorsports Group America on a condensed schedule.”
In addition, the City of Long Beach has announced that the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, set for April 17–19, will be canceled. Support events such as Formula Drift’s race (April 9–11) and the Grand Prix Press Day/Grand Prix View on April 7 have also been canceled.
For the latest information, visit indycar.com.
National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)
“…NHRA officials are postponing a portion of the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. The Sportsman categories of Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Top Dragster presented by Vortech Superchargers, and Top Sportsman presented by Vortech Superchargers will be contested on Thursday at Gainesville and will complete competition this weekend without ticketed spectators.
“Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Factory Stock Showdown, Top Alcohol Dragster, and Top Alcohol Funny Car will be postponed and completed at a later date to be determined.
“Current tickets will be honored at the rescheduled event or ticketholders may opt to use their tickets as a credit toward the 2021 Gatornationals.”
For the latest information, visit nhra.com.
Formula 1
“This weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne has been canceled. The news follows McLaren’s withdrawal from the race on Thursday, after one of their team members tested positive for the coronavirus.”
For the latest information, visit formula1.com.
FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC)
“Following the announcement made by President Trump [on March 11] of a wide suspension of travel by non-US citizens from Europe to the [States], the leadership of the WEC has reviewed the viability of staging the Sebring 1000 Miles race planned to be held at [Sebring International Raceway in Florida] on March 20. After a careful review of the situation, it has been determined that the WEC race will be canceled.”
For the latest information, visit fiawec.com.
International Motor Sports Association (IMSA)
“The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) announced that the 68th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts scheduled for March 18-21 has been postponed due to the recent United States ban on travel from Europe, which will prevent a number of drivers, teams and key personnel from participation.
“The rescheduled race will now become the season-ending event of the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and will be run Nov. 11-14 at Sebring International Raceway.”
For the latest information, visit imsa.com.
United States Auto Club (USAC)
“Saturday's USAC West Coast Sprint Car race at Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford, CA) has been canceled due to coronavirus restrictions from the Kings County Health Department and the State of California.
The series will now open its season with a rare doubleheader, starting April 18 at Bakersfield Speedway (CA), followed by its first event at The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park (Bakersfield, CA) the following night.”
For the latest information, visit usacracing.com.
Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA)
“Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) announced today that its popular Vintage Race of Champions (VROC) race during the March 26 – 29 SpeedTour Road Atlanta Grand Prix weekend is canceled.
“The Friday night charity banquet for the Hope For The Warriors charity will also not take place. Currently, SVRA plans to run all other races for the SpeedTour weekend. The Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli, SVRA vintage races, and IGT will take place but no fans will be admitted to the grounds.”
For the latest information, visit svra.com.
Indoor Auto Racing Championship
“Len Sammons Motorsports Productions and the Indoor Auto Racing Championship make the health and safety of our fans, competitors, and partners a priority and, because of that, the State of New York has forced our hand and we are canceling [this weekend’s] events [at the NY State Fairgrounds Exposition Center in Syracuse].
“Information about ticket refunds, standings, and future events will follow shortly.”
For the latest information, visit indoorautoracing.com.
ARCA Menards East
“This weekend’s ARCA Menards Series East race at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida has been postponed.
“Five Flags Speedway and Track Enterprises have not announced a make-up date for the rescheduled ARCA Pensacola 200 presented by Inspectra Thermal Solutions, however, track and series officials are working through potential dates.
“Those with questions regarding the Five Flags Speedway race are encouraged to call the track office at 850-944-8400.”
For the latest information, visit arcaracing.com.
Formula E
“…it will no longer be possible to stage the Rome E-Prix on April 4, 2020.
“Formula E, in agreement with the relevant authorities in Rome, EUR S.p.A and together with the FIA and Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI), will work closely with championship partners and stakeholders in order to assess and review alternative options to postpone the Rome E-Prix to a later date once restrictions have been lifted.”
For the latest information, visit fiaformulae.com.
Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA)
“The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) Executive Committee voted unanimously to postpone its 32nd Annual Induction Celebration, scheduled for [March 16–17] in Daytona Beach.
“The induction celebration will be rescheduled in the future.”
For the latest information, visit mshf.com.
In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, several racing series, event organizers and tracks have decided to modify, postpone or cancel industry gatherings. The following are official statements from race organizations regarding their operations as of Thursday, March 12.
NASCAR
“At this time, NASCAR will hold its race events at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway without fans in attendance. These events will be restricted to competitors, crews, officials and other necessary personnel to conduct the race. We will work with public health officials as we determine future scheduling beyond these events,” a written release stated.
In regard to media coverage at Atlanta this weekend, previously credentialed print and digital media members are welcome to join the race weekend on-site, with select changes to race day operations. Photographers will not be allowed, as NASCAR’s photography partner Getty Images will serve as a pool photographer for the event. Those with questions should reach out to the NASCAR Communications staff.
For the latest information, visit nascar.com.
INDYCAR
"INDYCAR and Green Savoree Racing Promotions, in conjunction with the city of St. Petersburg, announced Thursday that all activities surrounding Sunday's season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be closed to spectators and limited to essential personnel only.
"The race weekend will operate from Friday through Sunday, with INDYCAR on-track sessions limited to Saturday and Sunday. The activities also include Road To Indy, IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup, and SRO Motorsports Group America on a condensed schedule.”
In addition, the City of Long Beach has announced that the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, set for April 17–19, will be canceled. Support events such as Formula Drift’s race (April 9–11) and the Grand Prix Press Day/Grand Prix View on April 7 have also been canceled.
For the latest information, visit indycar.com.
National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)
“…NHRA officials are postponing a portion of the Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals. The Sportsman categories of Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Top Dragster presented by Vortech Superchargers, and Top Sportsman presented by Vortech Superchargers will be contested on Thursday at Gainesville and will complete competition this weekend without ticketed spectators.
“Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Mod, Factory Stock Showdown, Top Alcohol Dragster, and Top Alcohol Funny Car will be postponed and completed at a later date to be determined.
“Current tickets will be honored at the rescheduled event or ticketholders may opt to use their tickets as a credit toward the 2021 Gatornationals.”
For the latest information, visit nhra.com.
Formula 1
“This weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne has been canceled. The news follows McLaren’s withdrawal from the race on Thursday, after one of their team members tested positive for the coronavirus.”
For the latest information, visit formula1.com.
FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC)
“Following the announcement made by President Trump [on March 11] of a wide suspension of travel by non-US citizens from Europe to the [States], the leadership of the WEC has reviewed the viability of staging the Sebring 1000 Miles race planned to be held at [Sebring International Raceway in Florida] on March 20. After a careful review of the situation, it has been determined that the WEC race will be canceled.”
For the latest information, visit fiawec.com.
International Motor Sports Association (IMSA)
“The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) announced that the 68th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts scheduled for March 18-21 has been postponed due to the recent United States ban on travel from Europe, which will prevent a number of drivers, teams and key personnel from participation.
“The rescheduled race will now become the season-ending event of the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and will be run Nov. 11-14 at Sebring International Raceway.”
For the latest information, visit imsa.com.
United States Auto Club (USAC)
“Saturday's USAC West Coast Sprint Car race at Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford, CA) has been canceled due to coronavirus restrictions from the Kings County Health Department and the State of California.
The series will now open its season with a rare doubleheader, starting April 18 at Bakersfield Speedway (CA), followed by its first event at The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park (Bakersfield, CA) the following night.”
For the latest information, visit usacracing.com.
Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA)
“Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) announced today that its popular Vintage Race of Champions (VROC) race during the March 26 – 29 SpeedTour Road Atlanta Grand Prix weekend is canceled.
“The Friday night charity banquet for the Hope For The Warriors charity will also not take place. Currently, SVRA plans to run all other races for the SpeedTour weekend. The Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli, SVRA vintage races, and IGT will take place but no fans will be admitted to the grounds.”
For the latest information, visit svra.com.
Indoor Auto Racing Championship
“Len Sammons Motorsports Productions and the Indoor Auto Racing Championship make the health and safety of our fans, competitors, and partners a priority and, because of that, the State of New York has forced our hand and we are canceling [this weekend’s] events [at the NY State Fairgrounds Exposition Center in Syracuse].
“Information about ticket refunds, standings, and future events will follow shortly.”
For the latest information, visit indoorautoracing.com.
ARCA Menards East
“This weekend’s ARCA Menards Series East race at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida has been postponed.
“Five Flags Speedway and Track Enterprises have not announced a make-up date for the rescheduled ARCA Pensacola 200 presented by Inspectra Thermal Solutions, however, track and series officials are working through potential dates.
“Those with questions regarding the Five Flags Speedway race are encouraged to call the track office at 850-944-8400.”
For the latest information, visit arcaracing.com.
Formula E
“…it will no longer be possible to stage the Rome E-Prix on April 4, 2020.
“Formula E, in agreement with the relevant authorities in Rome, EUR S.p.A and together with the FIA and Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI), will work closely with championship partners and stakeholders in order to assess and review alternative options to postpone the Rome E-Prix to a later date once restrictions have been lifted.”
For the latest information, visit fiaformulae.com.
Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA)
“The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) Executive Committee voted unanimously to postpone its 32nd Annual Induction Celebration, scheduled for [March 16–17] in Daytona Beach.
“The induction celebration will be rescheduled in the future.”
For the latest information, visit mshf.com.
