We are supposed to be happy about returning to any sort of normalcy at the hand of our political masters, but watching them keep an iron grip on their pandemic emergency powers is frustrating and costly. There is no better example of that right now than watching the progressive Democrats deny Roger Penske and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) a well-deserved victory for staying in business and getting people vaccinated.
“Indy 500 will have about 135,000 fans at Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” reported the IndyStar. And that is far less than the stadium can handle.
2021 will be the first year for the traditional running of the Indy 500 to have funs under the new track ownership of racing mogul Roger Penske, a Medal of Freedom recipient.
Penske had jumped through all of the hoops laid out for him, politely, yet the Democrat-led government authorities denied him the full use of his stadium. Even after he made his speedway a center of vaccinations, the non-elected public health department issued their demands this week that attendance for the 105th Indy 500 would be reduced to 40% spectator capacity. They demand that attendees wear face masks. There were other signs of their dominance, including a total shutdown on festivities and traditions leading up to and around the race.
“The plan for the Sunday, May 30 race at the world’s largest sporting facility was developed “in close consultation with state and local health officials and has been approved by the Marion County Public Health Department.”
In addition to limited attendance, further key health and safety measures at the 2.5-mile track will include face coverings required and enforced throughout the venue, temperature checks administered upon public gate entry, and spacing between customer groups in the grandstands and throughout the venue.
Spectator viewing mounds will also closed to the general public throughout the month of May, with no Race Day General Admission tickets sold and frequent cleaning and sanitation processes in place, with hand sanitiser and washing stations readily available.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway president J. Douglas Boles said: “Our fans mean everything to us, and we can’t wait to welcome them ‘Back Home Again’ for this year’s Indy 500,” AutoSport reported.
“The city and state have worked with us to identify the appropriate health and safety precautions so that we can successfully host a limited but very enthusiastic crowd. The health and safety of everyone coming to IMS, along with Central Indiana and the Hoosier State, have been paramount throughout this process,” The Marion County, Indiana Health Department said.
30 DAYS OF MAY
The sport of racing employs and supports many auxiliary businesses around the country, and the Indy 500 is the origins of much of their business.
In an article from 2020, as the speedway cut the winner’s purse in half after being forced to race in an empty stadium, NBC sports reported, “Even with a 50 percent purse reduction, the Indy 500 remains the linchpin of teams’ economic viability.
The schedule has taken many hits with the cancellation of races at Barber Motorsports Park, Circuit of the Americas, Detroit, Portland International Raceway, Laguna Seca, and Toronto, and another race weekend doubleheader at Mid-Ohio has been indefinitely postponed.
That leaves the 2020 slate at 12 confirmed races of an original 17, which has raised questions about how many races teams need to fulfill sponsor obligations.”
Does anyone believe that the Marion County Health Department consider those factors?
The Indy 500 is a money-making machine for the state of Indiana for an entire month.
A look at the social media timeline shows the priority, at Marion Health, is pushing immunizations and addressing “economic disparity resulting from the pandemic”. I can’t make this up. They are going to close down the greatest money-making draw to Indianapolis while claiming to rescue the citizens who can’t find work while pushing a shot that is making some people very rich.
That is the Democrats for you. Nothing is too crazy for them.
.@Marion_Health and @IndyMayorJoe are partnering to support Marion County organizations working to address health and economic disparities resulting from the pandemic. Applications are due April 30th. Learn more⬇ https://t.co/01HnA83JJ0
— RMFFIndy (@RMFFIndy) April 15, 2021
It is unclear when the left will allow Americans to get back to business and enjoying their lives.
Progressive far-left Democrat Mayor of Indianapolis wants the people to remain cozy and dependent on the government for resources instead of working.
Pleased to join @RenewIndy for this morning’s announcement regarding its official designation as a @neighborworks Chartered Member. The additional resources granted by this status will help amplify Renew’s efforts on affordable housing, sustainable development, and jobs. https://t.co/eS4bfmmVAy
— Mayor Joe Hogsett (@IndyMayorJoe) April 19, 2021
Still, race fans will no doubt enjoy the day and continue to appreciate the sport. If you think about it, racing is one of the original acts of civil disobedience, one that the left is trying to get control of.
The irony is so ironic.
Kari is an ex-Community Organizer who writes about Cultural Marxism, grassroots activism, music, IndyCar racing and political campaigns. @Saorsa1776
