With actual on-track racing shut down because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES' top drivers along with seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will still race for a checkered flag Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.
But instead of driving behind the wheel of a high-powered Chevrolet or Honda Indy car, these drivers will be competing in the American Red Cross Grand Prix at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International on a racing simulator.
Saturday's event will be the first of the INDYCAR iRacing Challenge. With races scheduled through May 2, the online activity will help INDYCAR drivers and race fans engage in competition as they wait for the season to start on May 30 in the first race of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix.
A.J. Foyt Racing driver Tony Kanaan, the 2004 INDYCAR champion and 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner, had to sneak the sim rig past his wife, Lauren, as Kanaan and his family ride out the pandemic in their home.
“All my workouts and stuff that I do during my day, the last thing my wife wanted to see in this house was a sim,” Kanaan said Friday. “I am in my bathroom, by the way, because my kids will break into this interview. My wife is working out in the closet.
“I think it was a great way to connect with the fans, especially in these tough times. Everybody is looking for something to do at home. They're watching TV, (watching) something on the Internet, going outside of your own house, trying to keep people entertained. I think this is really important. That's why I'm taking part of it.
“I'm nowhere near as competitive as I thought I was going to be, but I've been getting a lot of help from Alexander Rossi. He's obviously got a better handle on it than I do. Happy to help and hopefully we'll have some fun. Actually, I’ve got to give big props to Colton Herta, George Steinbrenner, IV and Alexander Rossi because without those three guys, I wouldn't have a sim in my house.”
Simon Pagenaud of Team Penske is the reigning champion of the real Indianapolis 500. He will retain that honor for three extra months as the 104th Indianapolis 500 has been moved from May 24 to August 23. Presumably, that will be a safer time of the year to hold the event.
Meantime, Pagenaud, his wife, Hailey, and prized pup Norman are at their home in North Carolina, staying safe.
The Indy 500 winner gets a chance to unleash his competitive fire in Saturday’s virtual race.
“I think it's going to be a lot of fun,” Pagenaud said. “Obviously, we are all home confined. It's nice to find an avenue to have some fun, also show our sponsors on the racetrack, even though it's virtual. It's obviously where we've been going. This sport has been evolving towards more simulator, simulation, very advanced technology.
“This is showing what our job as drivers has become. We have to train more and more with simulators. We have less and less testing on the real racetrack, but more and more on simulators
“It's a lot of fun. Obviously, it's a lot easier to crash. Last night we had a practice race. I crashed in the first corner, which is quite unusual for me. So, we'll see if I can finish it. It's definitely fun, it's great to have some competition. We'll see how it goes.
“We are excited to give a good show to the fans.”
Rossi, who drives for Andretti Autosport, won at Watkins Glen in a real Indy car the last time the series competed there in 2017. He will attempt to win at the virtual Watkins Glen in Saturday’s contest.
“I love the fact that we got to race at Watkins Glen,” he said. “It was an amazing event, a fantastic racetrack, one of my favorites of all time. It's pretty cool to get back there in one way or another on iRacing.
“As Simon said, it's very challenging. There are little things you have to do different than driving in reality. At the end of the day it's competitive and still a lot of fun to drive that track.
“It's going to be interesting to see how it all goes tomorrow. I think everyone is a little bit unknown of how it's going to be just with the varying levels of experience and kind of skill sets. Nonetheless, it's going to be great to put on a show and give people something to get excited about INDYCAR.
“I’m very happy to be a part of it.”
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing's Sage Karam may be one of the most experienced drivers in the iRacing field. He has 523 starts and 143 wins on road courses alone.
“I think the whole series is going to be cool, to be able to do some ovals and road courses,” he said. “Like you all have been saying, it's for the fans, give them something they can watch. We're really the only sport that can do something like this. It's really cool we can still get our sponsors out there, our teams, still have fun.”
The American Red Cross Grand Prix is 4 p.m. ET on www.IndyCar.com. Streaming also available on INDYCAR's Facebook and You Tube platforms as well as iRacing's Twitch. NBC Sports' Leigh Diffey is the lead announcer for the streaming alongside analysts Townsend Bell and Paul Tracy. The pre-race activities will be highlighted by iconic national anthem singer Jim Cornelison adding his voice as he did for the last three 2019 Indianapolis 500s. Katie Hargitt will interview the race winner on INDYCAR's Instagram Live following the race.