If the IndyCar season gets under way with at least two of its full-time drivers missing from the grid due to extenuating circumstances, questions regarding equal opportunities to earn championship points could be raised. Although it would be unlikely for two rookies to vie for the IndyCar title in 2020, Palou and VeeKay will chase Rookie of the Year honors, and from a team perspective, both will need to secure solid finishes in the championship standings to ensure their entries receive the $1 million Leaders Circle contracts for 2021.

Would the series consider changes to its points structure – allowing each entry to drop its worst finish, or something similar – to prevent missing drivers from starting with a sizable points deficit? These questions, and more, are receiving attention as IndyCar contemplates the potential effects of the travel ban.

“The new normal is, nothing’s normal,” Frye said. “It’s an interesting question. Nothings off the table. You’d never say never on something like that.”
Before worrying about things like social distancing, IMSA teams have to get their international field of drivers to the racetracks. Image by Richard Dole/Motorsport Images

If the specter of missing a few drivers is complicated for IndyCar, IMSA could be forced to delay the resumption of its season until travel restrictions are removed altogether. Losing eight to 12 percent of the IndyCar field in the opening rounds would be classified as a mere inconvenience compared to the large swaths of IMSA drivers and crews left behind in Europe and Asia.

Reports on Wednesday suggest new measures for the existing travel ban, which is up for renewal next week, could complicate matters.

“The Trump administration is moving to extend its virus border restrictions indefinitely, using the government’s broad public health authorities to severely limit immigration across its land borders until officials decide that there is no more danger of infection to Americans,” according to the New York Times. “The new order would require CDC officials to review the dangers posed by the virus every 30 days.”

Governors can green-light motor racing and series can announce their intentions to put on a show, but for those who rely on our international brothers and sisters to make the show – the full show, at least – possible to enjoy, some significant things will need to change before Texas on June 6, Watkins Glen on June 26, and whatever else might be in border-related jeopardy.

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