IndyCar News: Severe weather delays start of today’s Indy 500 (Update)

Given the proximity of lightning moving toward Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a decision has been made to pause pre-race ceremonies for the 108th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and move fans out of the grandstands and the Snake Pit.

Spectators are encouraged to follow the instructions of IMS team members. They should exit the grandstands in an orderly fashion and implement their personal safety plans.

The start of the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge also will be delayed. Additional updates on timing will be communicated.

With the threat of rain in the Sunday morning forecast, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles said the start of the 108th Indy 500 could be impacted.

During a 6:20 a.m. ET news conference, Boles said IMS likely will make a decision by 9 to 10 a.m. on how to handle the schedule for pre-race ceremonies.

“We’ve had several conversations since last night with our internal team, our safety team and NBC,” Boles said. “Our plan is to continue to monitor the storm. We’ll get some weather at some point in time. Our biggest concern is not the rain as much as the lightning.

“The next couple of hours really will define when the storm could hit Indianapolis. We have another couple of hours to monitor the weather and make another decision on what the right thing is to do to keep our customers safe.”

IMS clears the grandstands when lightning strikes within 8 miles of the track.

Boles said once the expected storm passes, the weather looks good for getting the race in over the rest of Sunday. He also noted that despite a 100 percent chance of rain in 2019, the race started on time and ran to completion after a brief morning shower.

“That’s why we’re waiting,” Boles said. “We’re really hopeful we get a window.”

Boles said the storm was on a current track to arrive as early as noon or as late as 1 p.m.

The green flag is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. ET.

Boles said the track considered moving the start up by 30 minutes but decided at 4:45 a.m. ET to stay with the original schedule.

“There was consideration of moving the start time up to 12:15, but it didn’t make any sense to do that,” Boles said. “The last thing we want is to move it up to 12:15 and have customers waiting and then ask them to leave because of the weather. Because of where (the storm is) tracking, that doesn’t make sense and maybe would put us in a worse situation.”

Team Penske locked out the front row for today’s race in their superior Penske Chevy’s.