IndyCar has already changed up the 2021 schedule

IndyCar has already altered the 2021 schedule, shifting the race on the streets of Long Beach, California from April to September as the new season finale.

For the second consecutive IndyCar season, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will not host the season finale as originally planned.

On Thursday, it was confirmed that the streets of Long Beach, California, one of the many casualties on the 2020 schedule as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, are now scheduled to host the 2021 season finale on Sunday, September 26 instead of the third race of the year on Sunday, April 18.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, another one of the many casualties on the 2020 calendar as a result of the pandemic, was scheduled to host the finale on Sunday, September 19. It is still scheduled to take place on that date, but as the penultimate race of the season.

Here is what Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles had to say about the change.

"“It is important to have Long Beach rescheduled to continue the history and tradition for one of the series’ hallmark events in one of the nation’s premier media markets. Further, it’s a tremendous opportunity to wrap up the season with three-straight iconic venues for what we believe will be our most exciting season yet. As we did during the 2020 season, we will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and maintain flexibility across our schedule. We are committed to an action-packed and exhilarating 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES.”"

Here is what Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President and CEO Jim Michaelian had to add.

"“I want to thank all of the officials at INDYCAR for their assistance in rescheduling the 2021 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach to September. We believe that this move will afford us the best opportunity to provide our guests with a fun and exciting experience in a safe and unrestricted environment. It will be a welcome sight to see the NTT INDYCAR SERIES cars and stars back on the downtown streets of Long Beach in the fall.”"

More from IndyCar

The the 11-turn, 1.968-mile (3.167-kilometer) temporary street circuit on the streets of Long Beach had hosted the Grand Prix of Long Beach for 45 consecutive seasons going back to 1975 before the 2020 race was canceled.

This year’s race is set to mark the first outside of April since the 1984 race was held in March, and it is set to mark the first race in September since the inaugural event in 1975. This race is longest running event on the schedule outside of the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Here is a look at the updated 17-race 2021 IndyCar schedule, which was initially released in early October.

Race # – Date – Track
1 – Sunday, March 7 – Streets of St. Petersburg
2 – Sunday, April 11 – Barber Motorsports Park
3 – Saturday, May 1 – Texas Motor Speedway
4 – Sunday, May 2 – Texas Motor Speedway
5 – Saturday, May 15 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course
6 – Sunday, May 30 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indy 500)
7 – Saturday, June 12 – Raceway at Belle Isle Park
8 – Sunday, June 13 – Raceway at Belle Isle Park
9 – Sunday, June 20 – Road America
10 – Sunday, July 4 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
11 – Sunday, July 11 – Streets of Toronto
12 – Sunday, August 8 – Streets of Nashville
13 – Saturday, August 14- Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course
14 – Saturday, August 21 – World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway
15 – Sunday, September 12 – Portland International Raceway
16 – Sunday, September 19 – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
17 – Sunday, September 26 – Streets of Long Beach

Next. Top 10 IndyCar drivers of all-time. dark

Hopefully the 2021 schedule will not see any more significant date changes, and certainly no cancellations like the 2020 schedule saw far too often.