Race fans won't be in the stands for this year's Indianapolis 500, but they can get collector's items that mark the first time the race will run in August, and seed a new relief fund for local artists.

This will be the 17th time a Corvette has served as the pace car, starting with the 1978 Corvette.

IndyCar driver Graham Rahal said while the atmosphere will be different this year, the race needs to happen.

Roger Penske has reversed course and decided not to allow fans at the Indianapolis 500 later this month. The 104th running of The Great American Race will be the first without spectators, who showed up at Indianapolis Motor Speedway every year even during the Great Depression.

Race fans will have to undergo a temperature check at the gate and will receive a face mask and hand sanitizer. Seating will also be spread out to practice social distancing.

Last month, IMS officials announced the race would reduce the number of spectators to 50 percent. Now, only 25 percent will be allowed to watch the event at the track.

The Indy 500 was bumped from its traditional May date because of the coronavirus pandemic. The 104th Indy 500 will run Aug. 23 at half the total of what is traditionally one of the biggest sporting events of the year.

The Associated Press has updated its survey of living Indianapolis 500 winners and their pick as the greatest race in the long history of the event.

The estimated annual economic impact on Indiana from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is $510 million, according to a study by the Indiana University Public Policy Institute using the years 2010-12. The number will surely take a hit this year, it's just not clear how much it will be.

The Indianapolis 500 wont be run on Memorial Day weekend for the first time since 1946 after Roger Penske on Thursday postponed one of Americas crown jewel sporting events until Aug. 23.