IndyCar's GP Of St. Petersburg Expecting 20,000 Fans

IndyCar's Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg weekend kicks off Friday, making it the "first major event the city will host since the pandemic started in March," according to Josh Solomon of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Up to 20,000 fans "will be allowed to attend this weekend's race -- but that doesn't include the people who could be drawn downtown by the race." The event returns as Pinellas County's "positivity starts moving upward." The race has strict COVID-19 protocols in place, including a "requirement that all attendees must wear masks." St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman said, "We are as a city very comfortable with what's been put in place for this race. This is always a great television commercial for St. Pete, and so in particular this year, we want to do it right and show it off" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 10/21).