Firestone Grand Prix returns to St. Pete in October — with fans

There’s a new date for the Firestone Grand Prix in St. Petersburg.

The race now is scheduled for Oct. 23 to 25, 2020. It will be the final event in the 2020 NTT IndyCar season and will be open to fans, a news release said.

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said that he is confident the race can take place in a way that puts public health at the forefront.

The rescheduled event will be subject to the ongoing guidance and mandates of national, state and local authorities regarding public gatherings, organizers cautioned.

The race, which turns downtown St. Petersburg streets into a temporary race circuit, originally was scheduled to take place March 13 15,  kicking off the IndyCar season. It was cancelled amid mounting concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic. Previously purchased tickets for the cancelled March race will be valid on the corresponding days of the October event. Ticket purchasers on file will receive instructions by email, the news release said.

“Having a rescheduled date for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is a very positive development. This could only happen because of our partners’ commitment and support at the City of St. Petersburg, IndyCar and Firestone,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree St. Petersburg LLC, the race organizer. “We hope this offers both Floridians and our race fans something to look forward to later this year as we navigate through these unprecedented times for us all.”

The October race will be the first time the Firestone Grand Prix will serve as the  series finale. The St. Petersburg race traditionally has started the IndyCar season.

“Coming back to the streets of St. Pete to close the 2020 NTT IndyCar series season is a great way to thank the incredible fans in this area for their support. While we couldn’t kick off the season with them as planned, we now look forward to crowning the 2020 IndyCar Champion together in October,” said Lisa Boggs, director of motorsports, Bridgestone Americas, with its Firestone brand as the event’s title sponsor.

The race attracted about 160,000 people in March 2019. Organizers have a revenue participation agreement with the city, with the city receiving $1 for every ticket sold. That should provide a small boost to what’s expected to be a tight city budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, as sales taxes and user fee revenue is expected to decline because of business restrictions during the Covid-19 crisis.

Other activities associated with the race raise money for charitable causes, including Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and the Police Athletic League.

One of those other activities, the MBA 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg track has been rescheduled for Friday, Oct. 23. Previously purchased registrations will be valid and honored on the new date.

Additional event information and customer FAQs will be posted here.