There’s a lot of excitement in the air if you’re an American motorsport fan. Not only is the summer of 2020 coming up, which means more road racing in the USA, but the Indy 500 is just around the corner.
The Indy 500, one of the greatest sporting events in the world, is slated to take place between May 24 and May 28. But with the pandemic still lingering, it’s not yet clear if the famous oval will be hosting any racing.
The good news is that a number of races have been rescheduled for later in the year, which means there’s still plenty to look forward to. Whether you’re a seasoned sports fan or you’ve never given much thought to racing, this is a year not to be missed.
What Is The Indy 500?
The Indy 500 is the crown jewel of the IndyCar Series, which is one of the top domestic racing series in the world. The 500-mile annual event takes place at one of the most recognizable sports venues in the country: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. More than 115,000 spectators are expected to attend the race, making it one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. You can read more about the history of the famed Indy 500 here.
Why Does It Matter?
The Indy 500 is a big deal not only because it’s one of the most prestigious sporting events in the country but because it’s part of the IndyCar Series. As mentioned, the IndyCar Series is one of the top domestic racing series in the world, and it’s gaining popularity by the day. This year, for example, there are 17 scheduled races in the USA alone. In the past five years, the number of races has increased by more than 50%.
This is big news for motorsport fans. It used to be that the only racing that took place in the USA was the Indy 500 and the Daytona 500 (below), and that’s still true, but there’s now a whole lot more racing than ever before. NASCAR, whose roots lie in the southern states, is the most popular racing series in the country, while other series such as Formula One and the Canadian Touring Car Championship have found a significant audience as well.
Why Not The Daytona 500?
The Daytona 500, the biggest event of the year in NASCAR, had to be postponed from February to May this year due to the pandemic. It was the first race to be rescheduled due to the pandemic, and it’s one of the biggest sporting events in the country each year. The Daytona 500 is definitely a big deal, but the Indy 500 is the grand daddy of them all.
What About The Others?
The big question is, what about the other races? There are still several important events left on the calendar, and fans will have the opportunity to see some pretty amazing racing. Here’s a list of the other races that are worth looking forward to:
- The Michigan 500 — April 16-18
- The Pocono 500 — June 21-23
- The New Jersey 500 — September 14-16
- The Sonoma 500 — October 19-21
- The Bay 500 — December 12-14
- The Houston 500 — March 10-12, 2021
Is It Worth Going?
Is it worth going to any of these races? It’s always good to support your local motorsport fans, and you’ll never know when they might come in handy. It’s also worth noting that tickets for the Indy 500 are ridiculously expensive. If you go, make sure you get your bank account ready because you’re going to need some serious cash to cover the cost of entering the garage.
The Rescheduled Races
Not all of the races have been moved to a later date. Instead, the racing season has been extended by one month, meaning more racing and less of a break in the middle. The good news for fans is that there’s still a lot to look forward to.