When the Indy 500 ran without spectators last weekend, it wasn't just the hundreds of thousands of fans who were missing -- it was also the millions of dollars they pump into local shops and restaurants.

Takuma Sato claimed his second Indianapolis 500 victory in four years, holding off Scott Dixon in the final laps before the race ended under caution.

Roger Penske in January became the fourth owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The track on Friday confirmed to The Associated Press that it will be Penske giving the command.

The 104th running of the Indianapolis 500 is days away with final preparations being made for the Greatest Spectacle In Racing. Race officials are encouraging fans to stay home and watch the race on television.

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.

Track officials had been optimistic IMS could be the first major sporting venue to have fans back in the stands this summer. Instead, the stands will be empty much like the rest of the tracks since major racing resumed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.