Trump gives NASCAR and IndyCar glimmer of hope for 2020

President Trump hopes fans will be able to pack the stands again in time for the August Indy 500. We hope he is, but at this point he admits he's not sure it will be allowed.

President Donald Trump held a conference call with sports league executives Saturday afternoon that included NASCAR President Steve Phelps and IndyCar’s new owner Roger Penske.

They were joined on the call by the commissioners of the NFL, NBA and NHL, among others. All sports have been sidelined by the Wuhan, China virus pandemic.

During a news briefing Saturday, President Trump, who gave the command to start this year’s Daytona 500, was asked about the call and hopes of having fans back in arenas later this summer.

“I wants fans back in the arenas," President Trump said. “Whenever we’re ready and as soon as we can, obviously. The fans want to be back, too. They want to see basketball and baseball and football and hockey. They want to see their sports. They want to go out on the golf courses and breath nice clean beautiful air.

“I can’t tell you a date, but I think it’s going to be sooner rather than later. We’re not going to have to have separation for the rest of our times on the planet. We need it for this period of time. Eventually, people are going to be able to occupy those seats in arenas next to each other like we have for all of my life and all of your life."

President Trump was asked about his contingency plans after not committing to packing arenas and stadiums by August. President Trump replied: “I’m not committing to it. I’m not committing to it. We’re going to see where we are. That would be great if we could. We’re going to be back to good health soon, in my opinion."