I used to officiate high school basketball. After a game, my partner and I would say, ” We must have had a good game because both sides were mad at us.” If we apply that standard to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, they are doing a great job. At least two entities have issues with the track. Controversy is nothing new to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It even predates the 500 mile race at the track. There was the original, deadly surface which caused several fatal  accidents, followed by the somewhat controversial finish of the first race in 1911, qualifying controversies, and more arguments about the finishing order of certain races, notably 1981 and 2002. This is not new, but it is more about what happens off the track.

IU Health, the Speedway’s medical partner, issued a statement asking the track to hold the race with no fans. Their plea comes after IMS produced what I think is a thorough and comprehensive plane for fan safety which has the approval of the Marion County Health Department and state medical officials. The track responded with a strongly worded rebuttal.

IMS requested input from IU Health and received no response. I would think if you are investing sponsorship in a place that asks for input, you should give it, rather than wait until a plan comes out and then take issue with the contents.  IU Health actually seems more concerned with the activities outside the track- fans going to restaurants, staying in hotels, and shopping. The speedway has no control over what the fans do outside the track. Businesses have plans in place which I hope will mitigate any spread of the virus.

While I am not a fan of running the race at all this year, I understand why Roger Penske feels the need to have it. I get why he wants to have fans. Like everyone else, i made my choice about attending. I agree that IU Health has a point, but where were they when the plan was being put together? Their statement seems like a blindside attack. I wonder how this issue will affect their partnership with IMS in the future.

Fickle Fans

When the Speedway asked ticket holders to state their preferences about reassigned tickets or credits, some fans had a difficult decision. Some decided to skip this year’s race while others requested the maximum number of tickets allowed.

There was a period of tension while those that chose to keep their seats waited to see if they would receive their full allotment and if their new seats were close to their original places.

That phase soon was replaced by relief upon learning that their order had been fulfilled, many for the maximum number they requested. As fans began receiving tickets this week, the joy has turned to some grumbling. I saw one person on Facebook complain about the spacing and stating their intent to sit with their friends anyway. The fan practically dared the track to enforce the seat assignments. If they feel that way about their seats, are they feeling that way about the mask requirement too?

From what I have seen and heard of the seating plan, it is well done. There is plenty of space between groups of assigned seats. I don’t know why people are complaining about getting seats when tickets are limited to a small percentage of capacity.  If you are unhappy with your seats, stay home and watch the race on television. But first, turn in your tickets so that someone else who wants to go has a chance.

I’m not worried about IMS weathering this storm. It has gone through much worse. Remember 1964 and 1973?

I will wait until next year when with luck and hopefully a vaccine we can enjoy the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500 on its proper date of May 30.

As expected, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has done a thorough job preparing a plan to run this year’s Indianapolis 500 in the safest manner possible. An 88 page outline released this morning provides details of how different the 104th running will look. Some highlights:

The race will be broadcast live on local television. This year will be only the fourth time the race has been televised live locally. The last time was in 2016 for the 100th running. The local broadcast is consistent with the speedway’s rationale in 2016- all available tickets have been sold.

All fans will have their temperature taken at the entrances. if a fan has a temperature above 100.4 degrees, that individual will go to a secondary screening station to undergo further testing. The high temperature does not necessarily mean that fan will be excluded from the event. Fans with temperatures below the threshold will receive a colored wristband to wear for the day. Iowa Speedway also used this procedure.

Masks are mandatory. Fans will be given a mask and hand sanitizer as they enter the grounds. The masks are mandatory at all times while inside the venue except for when eating or drinking. Doug Boles said there will be progressive enforcement by guest services staff, starting with reminders. Boles said the Speedway is prepared ask a fan to leave for not complying with what they think is a reasonable request.

Concession stands will have mostly prepackaged foods. There will not be functioning water fountains or misting stations. For people who normally get food at the track, this is the year to begin bringing your own.

Events surrounding the race which won’t take place include Legends day, the 500 Festival Parade, and the  Last Row Party.  The  Victory Banquet will be closed to fans. I assume a credit will be issued to those fans who have tickets.

Bronze badge holders will still have access to Gasoline Alley on practice and qualifying days. Boles said the track sold a limited number this year so that crowding should not be an issue. I would have preferred that this access not be allowed. I would be fine if the Bronze badge were only good for grounds admission.

On Race Day the time fans can be on pit lane will be limited, and on track access is limited to team and race personnel.

Fans who have kept their tickets but change their mind after reviewing this plan can still get a credit for 2021.

Boles does not see a problem with crowd size on practice or qualifying days. Seating areas on those days will be marked for distancing. Some areas have been closed on practice and qualifying days in the past. it sounds as if just more sections or stands might be closed.

Mark Miles said the plan has been approved by Dr. Virginia Cain, Health Director for Marion County. He said that the plan may be adjusted if the health metrics change.  Indiana requires events which plan to have more than 250 attendees to submit a safety plan.

Dr. Ed Racht, Chief medical officer of Global Medical Services, explained the science behind the Speedway’s plan.  Since IMS is an outdoor venue, the virus is 19 times less likely to spread than at an indoor arena or concert hall.  He stated that there is more understanding of the virus and its transmission, and the application of strict criteria can help slow the spread of the disease. Racht emphasized the importance of face coverings.

The entire 88 page plan is available for download at indianapolismotorspeedway.com

IMS is doing everything possible to see that the 500 is run this year. A drastic change in cases in Marion County could still derail all of their planning.  I really don’t have any objection to anything I heard today. I like that the blackout was lifted and lifted early, I like that face mask wearing will be enforced, and I think their distancing plan is feasible. It appears they have taken some of the ideas from Iowa Speedway and built them to scale. I wonder if IMS will have chalk circles on the viewing mounds.

Whether to go or stay home is an individual choice. If you read this and have turned in your tickets, you can purchase a new ticket through this Friday.

A release from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this afternoon announced that the 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 will have attendance limited to 25% of capacity. Approximately 90,000 fans can witness the race in person. Ticket sales will end Friday, July 24. The safety plan will be made public tomorrow. I will have more thoughts tomorrow. My first reaction is that 90,000 is still too large a crowd regardless of the spacing.  The first United States Grand Prix at the speedway hosted a crowd approximately that size.

The full release is at the link below:

https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/news-multimedia/news/2020/07/21/25-percent-attendance-anticipated-masks-to-be-mandatory?startrow=1