Roger Penske on this year’s Indy 500: “Trust me, we are going to run it with fans”
Roger Penske has told Racer that the 2020 Indy 500 will race with fans in the stands — no matter what. This news comes on the heels of a recent announcement that the upcoming Indy/NASCAR doubleheader on July 4-5 will be a racer’s only event. That was a necessary precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to protect the opportunity to run the 500 but was still not what fans wanted to hear after sitting idle during this hiatus in motorsports. “We’re on for fans in August and planning on it and we feel good,” Penske told Racer on Sunday, adding that even if the event needs to be delayed until October, they’ll run it with the doors open. “It’s still almost three months from now and I think we’ll be OK. But we will run it only with fans.”
Last Fall, the famed driver, engineer, and team owner bought the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), along with the IndyCar series itself. Penske is no stranger to operating a series, either — he helped create the International Race of Champions (IROC) series as well. His ownership of IMS has come with major improvements to the track’s facilities at rapid pace according to Racer, pouring new parking lots, updating restrooms and concession stands, widening roads, and installing new video boards. Within the stress and distress of 2020, the refreshed track and a welcome return of spectators is sure to bring a unique and unbeatable atmosphere to this year’s Indy 500.
