Officials Plan For Indy 500 With Coronavirus In Mind

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SPEEDWAY, Ind. — Many Hoosiers and racing fans are concerned what the plan is for the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 as state and federal government leaders clamp down on large gatherings to keep the coronavirus from spreading.

IMS released a statement this morning sating both the Indy 500 and the GMR Grand Prix are still on as planned. The CDC said over the weekend they are recommending that all gatherings of 50 or more people planned within the next eight weeks either be postponed or canceled.

“We are aware of the CDC’s interim guidance suggesting the postponement of events,” said Alex Damron with IMS. “Our priority is to do our part in protecting the public health while still conducting the 104th Indy 500 as scheduled on May 24.”

“This continues to be a dynamic situation which we are monitoring constantly in coordination w/ federal, state, local & public health officials. We are planning for all contingencies and will be prepared to run the GMR Grand Prix and Indy 500 as the COVID-19 situation permits.”

The GMR Grand Prix is scheduled to run on the IMS road course on May 9th, right at the end of that eight-week period as recommended by the CDC. The Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for May 24th, just outside that eight-week period.