INDIANAPOLIS — On Thursday, NASCAR issued their revised 2020 schedule. The NASCAR Cup Series got four races in this past winter/spring before COVID-19 forced an indefinite hiatus.

Now, the season is going to get back going again. NASCAR, will resume on May 17 at the Darlington Raceway. They will run four races in a span of 10 days.

While NASCAR wouldn’t disclose any future plans past May 27, they did reveal that they have plans in place to finish the season with racing all 36 points paying events and ending on Nov. 8 at the Phoenix Raceway still.

To get back going though, they will plan to stick close to home — hence Darlington and Charlotte hosting two races each. They said that they wanted to run seven races in close proximity to Charlotte before expanding their reach. The reason was due to wanting to use one-day only events and not have to fly to races, nor use hotels in those cities.

On Friday, the state of Indiana gave them a welcomed gift too. The Hoosier State is going to start opening back up next week and have a five phase plan. The last two phases will allow for larger crowds and the return to sports inside of the state.

While some states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Texas have singled out sports in that they can return but without any fans, Indiana revealed their plan on Friday that won’t allow sporting venues to even open again until June 14.

Even on June 14, the capacity will be at 50-percent, meaning social distancing will be in effect and that no social gatherings can go beyond 250 people.

Stage 4 – June 14

Marion, Lake and Cass counties will continue on their delayed timeline.

More businesses will be able to open and larger gathering will now be allowed.

• Social gatherings up to 250 people
• Retails stores and malls at full capacity
• Dining room services to 75 percent capacity
• Bars and nightclubs can open at 50 percent capacity

• Cultural entertainment and tourism can open at 50 percent capacity (Including zoos, museums, etc.)
• Sports venues and amusement parks at 50 percent capacity

The last stage of this would start on July 4 and that’s will be to open all sports venues and other large facilities.

Stage 5 – July 4

Marion, Lake and Cass counties will continue on their delayed timeline.

The state will begin to open sports venues and other large facilities.

• Fairs and festivals will be allowed.
• Retail and restaurants can function at full capacity.
• Restrictions will be lifted at amusement parks, water parks, etc.

During stage 5, state officials will look at how to approach and handle the new school year.

It just so happens that July 4 is the Saturday of the Brickyard weekend. That is a super week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the fact that we have the BC 39 running on July 1-2 on a dirt track inside of Turn 3 of the famed facility. Then, you’ll get the Road to Indy program (USF 2000, Indy Pro 200 and Indy Lights) racing on the 2.439-mile road course on July 3, followed by the NTT IndyCar Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series sharing the same road course for their respective races on the Fourth of July.

Then, on July 5, the Brickyard 400 NASCAR Cup Series race will run.

According to Indiana’s new plan, while vague, it appears fans will be able to attend this weekend now. Granted, even with social distancing, IMS is pretty large enough for fans to do so.

Unfortunately, the Brickyard 400 hasn’t been largely attended over the last several years. As weird as this sounds, that may work to its advantage under these new guidelines. Last year’s race was estimated to have over 50k at, but you would never know it with how big the facility is. I doubt you get 50k this year with the coronavirus still around, which could make it feasible.

Then, you get a month in-a-half later, the Indianapolis 500 (Aug. 23). If cases don’t rise any under these stages nor even after it ends, the chances of the ‘500 being run with fans are looking better.