The Indianapolis 500 was postponed on Thursday until August because of the coronavirus pandemic, marking the first time the race will not run on Memorial Day weekend for the first time since 1946.

The race will instead be held August 23rd, three months later than its May 24th scheduled date.

The Indianapolis 500 began in 1911 but did not run in 1917, 1918 and from 1941-45 because of World Wars I and II. Tony Hulman bought the neglected speedway after the second war and the Indy 500 returned on Memorial Day weekend in 1946.

It has been scheduled for that weekend every year since, a familiar fixture for untold millions of fans over the years. Although inclement weather has occasionally disrupted the prestigious race, it had never been outright rescheduled until now.