The 108th edition of the Indianapolis 500 has been postponed by several hours following the bad weather raging on the US track in Indiana and also in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.
Already in recent days the weather forecast did not bode well and this morning the sky was leaden, with buckets of water soaking the asphalt of the Motor Speedway where everything was ready for the most awaited day by the protagonists of the IndyCar Series .
As often happens in America, the biggest problem however remains the presence of lightning, in which case a safety plan is implemented for everyone present on site; just over an hour before the start of the race, the organizers issued the following statement inviting fans and enthusiasts already present in large numbers in the stands to abandon their positions and take shelter, following the instructions of the professionals and the program related to safety.
“Given the proximity of lightning to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it has been decided to suspend pre-race ceremonies and remove fans from the grandstands and Snake Pit.”we read in the note.
“Spectators are asked to follow the instructions of the IMS team members. They must exit the stands in an orderly manner and implement their personal safety plans. The start of the 108th edition of the Indianapolis 500 will also be delayed. Further updates on times will be communicated in due course.”
Another communication was subsequently issued: “Lightning has been detected in the vicinity of the Speedway. Please exit the grandstands in an orderly manner and seek shelter. You must implement your personal safety plan. Entry to the gates has been closed and will remain open for exit”.
The wait continued for several minutes, with the public already in the stands moving to the covered areas of the stands waiting, but the downpour gave no respite while the track workers tried to dry the surface with the means available, until 2.00 pm local time, when the storm finally passed and the fans once again had the green light to enter the circuit.
“The lightning has left the area around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Spectators may return to the grandstands and the gates are open. Further updates on the 108th Indianapolis 500 will be provided as they become available.”was the communication provided by the organization, while the trucks returned to the track with brushes and dryers to make the track passable, operations that are expected to last at least a couple of hours.
We remind you that the front row of the grid will be entirely Team Penske, with Scott McLaughlin in Pole Position ahead of teammates Will Power and Josef Newgarden.
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