IndyCar confirms calendar reshuffle amid spike in Covid-19 cases

IndyCar rounds from Portland and Laguna Seca have been cancelled with additional races tagged onto events at Mid-Ohio, Gateway and Indianapolis.

The second calendar revision comes amid a surge in COVID-19 cases within America, placing numerous events in doubt.

After the cancellation of the season-opening St Petersburg round, IndyCar had pencilled out a reorganised season calendar which kicked off behind closed doors at Texas Motor Speedway in June.

Since then, a limited number of spectators have been allowed entry into events at Road America and Iowa.

However, several US States have continued to wrestle an explosive growth in positive cases which, coupled by the nation’s slow and haphazard response, has led to further cancellations down the track,

Both Oregon and California have implemented strict travel restrictions in a desperate attempt to suppress the virus.

Consequently, an extra race has been added to the upcoming Mid-Ohio event on August 8-9, a further race will be included at the Gateway oval in Illinois on August 29-30 and there will be yet another race on the Indianapolis road course on October 2-3.

“A mutual decision between the series and promoters following close consultation and monitoring of the local situation. The series looks forward to returning to both venues in 2021,” read a brief IndyCar statement.

The series blue ribband event – The Indy 500 – remains unaffected by the change with the race still slated for August 23.

However, the scheduled season-finale at St Petersburg also remains at threat of annulment with Florida another state fighting a losing war against a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The calendar change also affects Kiwi Indy Pro 2000 racer Hunter McElrea who was set to race at both Portland and Laguna Seca but will now compete in a unique triple-header event away from the IndyCar support bill at New Jersey Motorsport Park.

Remaining IndyCar calendar