Column: 'Greatest spectacle' goes on even in a pandemic

FILE - In this May 24, 2020, file photo, Indianapolis Motor Speedway sits empty in Indianapolis. Roger Penske has reversed course and decided not to allow fans at the Indianapolis 500 later this month. The 104th running of “The Great American Race” will be the first without spectators, who showed up at Indianapolis Motor Speedway every year, even during the Great Depression. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

FILE - In this July 30, 2020, file photo, race driver Josef Newgarden walks through the pit area before the start of practice for an IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. There was always going to be an Indianapolis 500 this year, be it with full fans, limited fans or, where Indianapolis Motor Speedway finally landed, with no fans at all. Roger Penske has been determined for this staple of American sporting events to go on and the track will open Wednesday, Aug. 12 for activity. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, file photo, Penske Corporation Chairman Roger Penske responds to a question during a press conference at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. There was always going to be an Indianapolis 500 this year, be it with full fans, limited fans or, where Indianapolis Motor Speedway finally landed, with no fans at all. Roger Penske has been determined for this staple of American sporting events to go on and the track will open Wednesday, Aug. 12 for activity. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)

FILE - In this May 26, 2019, file photo, Simon Pagenaud, of France, leads the field through the first turn on the start of the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Roger Penske has reversed course and decided not to allow fans at the Indianapolis 500 later this month. The 104th running of “The Great American Race” will be the first without spectators, who showed up at Indianapolis Motor Speedway every year, even during the Great Depression. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)