IndyCar alters schedule, replaces non-IndyCar track with Indianapolis

IndyCar has altered the schedule of the IndyCar iRacing Challenge by replacing the virtual non-IndyCar “Dream” track with virtual Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

When IndyCar and iRacing announced the IndyCar iRacing Challenge to serve as the effective virtual replacement for the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series season while the season is suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, they also announced how the schedule would be determined.

The first track was determined by a fan vote, and it turned out to be virtual Watkins Glen International. The second track was virtual Barber Motorsports Park, and the race was held on the weekend when the real-life Barber Motorsports Park was scheduled to host a race.

The third track was a “Driver’s Choice” track, and it ended up being Michigan International Speedway. The fourth track was a “Random Draw” track, and it ended up being Twin Ring Motegi.

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The fifth track was virtual Circuit of the Americas, and like the race at virtual Barber Motorsports Park, the race was held on the weekend when the real-life Circuit of the Americas was scheduled to host a race.

But the sixth and final track on the schedule was slated to be a non-IndyCar “Dream” track. The selection still fits the “Dream” track description, but you have to go back to the year 1910 for the “non-IndyCar” description to be accurate.

Virtual Indianapolis Motor Speedway is scheduled to host the sixth and final race on the schedule this Saturday, May 2. A total of 33 drivers are set to compete in this race, just like the real Indianapolis 500.

The 104th running of the Indy 500, which was scheduled to be contested at the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) oval in Speedway, Indiana on Sunday, May 24, was postponed last month to Sunday, August 23 as a result of the pandemic.

Qualifying for Saturday’s race, a 70-lap, 175-mile race, will be similar to that of the Indy 500, although there will be guaranteed starting spots for each of the real-life full-time drivers. Additional entries are guaranteed for other IndyCar iRacing Challenge winners.

The remaining starting spots in the 33-car field will be determined by a qualifying session on Wednesday, April 29 that mimics real-life Indy 500 qualifying. Drivers will earn their starting positions based on their average speed over four-lap runs.

Simon Pagenaud, who sits in a tie for the lead of the unofficial championship standings with Will Power, won the races at virtual Michigan International Speedway and virtual Twin Ring Motegi, but he is already guaranteed a starting spot due to his status as a full-time driver. No other full-time driver has won a race.

Part-time driver Sage Karam won the opener at virtual Watkins Glen International, Supercars driver Scott McLaughlin won the race at virtual Barber Motorsports Park and Formula 1 driver Lando Norris won the race at virtual Circuit of the Americas.

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Tune in to NBC Sports Network at 2:30 p.m. ET this Saturday, May 2 for the live broadcast of the sixth and final race on the IndyCar iRacing Challenge schedule from virtual Indianapolis Motor Speedway.