The return of Richmond Raceway to the IndyCar Series calendar has been pushed back to 2021 while the Toronto street race has also lost its date on the 2020 schedule.
The 0.75-mile Richmond oval was due to stage an IndyCar race for the first time since 2009 on June 27, but despite the return of NASCAR events in South Carolina’s Darlington Raceway this week, the state of Virginia has not permitted any gatherings until at least July due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Toronto’s race has also been cancelled, following the city mayor’s announcement earlier this month that it would be withholding permits for major events and festivals in July and August.
The July 11/12 date it previously occupied on the schedule has now been taken over by a double-header event at Road America.
This will follow the previously confirmed opening rounds at Texas Motor Speedway on June 6, which will take place without fans in attendance, and the first of two visits to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on July 4.
Road America will be the first of three double-headers planned this year with Iowa Speedway following one week later, and at Laguna Seca also hosting two races in September.
“Our teams and athletes are ready to get back on track and will deliver world-class action at Texas Motor Speedway and the Racing Capital of the World,” Penske Entertainment Corp. president and CEO Mark Miles said.
“We appreciate the opportunity to begin our season during these unprecedented times, and I’m confident we’ll put on a great show.”
Richmond’s last race was won by Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon, one of only two drivers to win twice at the Virginia circuit since its first appearance as part of the IRL calendar in 2001.
The five-time series champion had also won there in 2003 on his way to his first title, his 2009 victory equalling three-time series champion Sam Hornish Jr whose two wins came in 2002 and 2006.
Revised 2020 IndyCar calendar
June 6: Texas
July 4: Indianapolis road course (Race 1)
July 11: Road America (Race 1)
July 12: Road America (Race 2)
July 17: Iowa (Race 1)
July 18: Iowa (Race 2)
August 9: Mid-Ohio
August 23: Indianapolis 500
August 30: Gateway
September 13: Portland
September 19: Laguna Seca (Race 1)
September 20: Laguna Seca (Race 2)
October 3: Indianapolis road course (Race 2)
October 25: St. Petersburg