INDIANAPOLIS — The COVID-19 pandemic has created a historic first for the NASCAR Cup Series and the NTT IndyCar Series.
For the first time in history, the NASCAR Cup Series will race on the same weekend at the same track as the NTT IndyCar Series when both tours visit Indianapolis Motor Speedway on the weekend of July 4.
The GMR Grand Prix, originally scheduled for May 9, will take the green flag Saturday, July 4, before the first NASCAR Xfinity Series race on the IMS road course — the Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard.
Immediately following the live telecast of the GMR Grand Prix on July 4, NBC will air the first NASCAR race on the IMS road course with the Xfinity Series cars in action at the Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard. The NASCAR Cup Series will be in action on July 4 on the oval for the annual running of the Big Machine Vodka 400.
“For very good reason, this historic pairing will be circled on the calendar of every motorsports fan,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles said. “We appreciate our friends at NASCAR for their flexibility and support in this matter and will work with them on a memorable, exciting weekend of racing action.”
The announcement regarding the planned doubleheader was part of a larger announcement concerning the rescheduling of the Indianapolis 500, which will now take place on Aug. 23.Â