Detroit auto show canceled, will IndyCar race be next? (Update)

The IndyCar season opener is scheduled for the end of May.

UPDATE AutoRacing1.com has learned that it is very doubtful the Detroit IndyCar doubleheader will run at the end of May as planned and it will either be cancelled for 2020 (most likely) but there is an outside chance it could run in October.

According to AutoRacing1.com sources, it's doubtful the governments are going to allow large amounts of people to gather for non-essential events like sports and risk spreading the virus, until a vaccine is in place.

We are told it's wishful thinking on the part of sanctioning bodies to think they can go racing until fans and participants are vaccinated for Covid-19.

03/28/20 The 2020 North American International Auto Show, which was to be a tie-in to this year's IndyCar race for the first time, has been canceled as its venue, the TCF Center in Detroit, will be transformed into a field hospital for patients suffering from the deadly COVID-19 outbreak.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration is currently securing the site for a period of six months, Rod Alberts, NAIAS executive director, said in a letter sent to participants and obtained by Crain's Saturday evening.

The show, originally scheduled for June 9-20, will resume June 11-27 next year.

"The health and welfare of the citizens of Detroit and Michigan are paramount," Alberts said in the letter. "TCF Center is the ideal location for this important function and unprecedented times."

The June auto show was intended to be NAIAS' big splash as a show reborn.

In July 2018, the show's organizers decided to move the show from January to June in an attempt to remain more relevant in a time of declining auto show interest from automakers.

Full Press Release:

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) announced it will cancel its June 2020 show in Detroit in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic sweeping across the world and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s expected plans to repurpose TCF Center into a temporary field hospital.

“Although we are disappointed, there is nothing more important to us than the health, safety and well-being of the citizens of Detroit and Michigan, and we will do what we can to support our community’s fight against the coronavirus outbreak," said NAIAS Executive Director Rod Alberts.

“With the more than 100 convention centers and facilities around the country being considered to potentially serve as temporary hospitals, it became clear to us that TCF Center would be an inevitable option to serve as a care facility to satisfy our community’s urgent health needs," he said.

“One of the hallmarks of NAIAS since the very beginning has been our commitment to being socially responsible," Alberts said. “Our thoughts continue to be with those whose lives have been impacted by this devastating virus. And, we support the city and state’s mission to help preserve life in the face of this challenging situation."

NAIAS will hold its next annual show in June 2021. 2020 NAIAS Chairman Doug North said show officials are also discussing plans for a fundraising activity later this year to benefit the children’s charities that were designated as beneficiaries of the 2020 Charity Preview event.

“We know these organizations rely on the money raised at Charity Preview to fund many wonderful support services for the most vulnerable in our community," North said. “With this in mind, we will be in touch with the charities in the near future to present some ideas."

North, who will act as Chairman of the 2021 NAIAS, expressed the show’s gratitude to all of its stakeholders.

“The level of excitement for the 2020 show was extraordinary, and we deeply appreciate all of the support from our OEM partners and our more than 200 valued sponsors, as well as the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan," North said.

“We will be ready to unleash this energy and enthusiasm when June 2021 rolls around to produce the absolute best show and experience ever. We look forward to literally redefining the auto show landscape with fresh ideas and innovative opportunities for mobility activations and partnerships," North said.