ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – IndyCar fans here will have to wait an extra week for their favorite drivers to zip around the 1.25 mile oval, previously scheduled for August 22.
Earlier today, the NTT IndyCar Series announced schedule changes which involved both the Indianapolis 500 and World Wide Technology Raceway. As a result, the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 now will take place on Sunday, August 30, 2020.
“The current situation requires that everyone be fluid, solve problems and work together,” said WWTR Owner and CEO Curtis Francois. “The entire INDYCAR organization worked closely with us to come to a solution that enables us to host the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 just one week later than originally scheduled. We are grateful for their continued support and will be coming up with creative ideas for the promotion of the event.
“We now are in conversations with the other sanctioning bodies involved with the race weekend to develop a new event schedule of activities. We will be providing updates as soon possible so that our fans can enjoy a great weekend of racing in St. Louis on August 28-30, 2020.”
Meanwhile, twenty-two professional drivers from a wide variety of racing series have entered WWT Raceway’s inaugural iRacing event. The Bommarito Automotive Group Throwback 500 will be held on Sunday, March 29, at 7 p.m., and will be broadcast on Speed51.com. The race will carry a throwback theme for car entries.
The iRacing drivers will compete from home – on computer sim racing rigs (sim = simulator) – on a digital replica of WWTR’s 1.25-mile oval, which is home to the annual NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Series 200 and NTT IndyCar Series Bommarito Automotive Group 500. Race fans from all over the globe may tune in to Speed51.com to witness the action.
A sim racing rig consists of a computer, monitor, steering wheel and pedals. Some pro drivers invest thousands of dollars into their sim rigs but one of the most successful racers cobbled his together with parts from eBay and Walmart.
For those not familiar with iRacing and the Elite Racing League, last Sunday's NASCAR iRacing event, televised on FS1, earned a 0.53 rating (903,000 viewers) and was the most viewed esports event in U.S. TV history, beating a Mortal Kombat event on the CW in 2016. (Sources: Adam Stern/Sports Business Daily and eSports consultant Manny Anekal)