Health officials cite Indianapolis Speedrome for exceeding 25% capacity limit
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Marion County Public Health Department on Monday issued a Notice of Violation to the Indianapolis Speedrome after investigating complaints about its Saturday night events.
Multiple viewers sent News 8 video and photos showing crowded stands and few people wearing masks at the races held Saturday night at the east-side track.
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The notice was filed for court and also seeks a $1,000 fine, as allowed in the public health order that on July 23 required masks for most people in public and restricted attendance at a number of public gatherings, including sports venues.
Full statement from the Marion County Public Health Department:
The Marion County Public Health Department issued a Notice of Violation today to the Indianapolis Speedrome related to Public Health Order 22-2020 after investigating complaints received about an event held on Aug. 8, 2020. The Notice of Violation was also filed for court, seeking a $1000 fine as allowed in the order.
The health department determined that, during this event, the facility violated the public health order by greatly exceeding its 25% capacity limit for attendance, which also calls for proper social distancing of 6 feet, and that the face covering requirement for guests was not properly enforced.
This enforcement action does not prohibit the Indianapolis Speedrome from hosting its scheduled events as submitted to the health department in the Speedrome’s risk mitigation plan, as long the facility remains in compliance with current public health orders.
Marion County Public Health Department
The Speedrome has been running races for the better part of the summer. And according to the Marion County Health Department, the Speedrome is allowed to open and hold races at 25% capacity.
Video given to WISH-TV by one of our viewers taken at the Indianapolis Speedrome on Saturday night shows the stands nearly full.
The Speedrome has signs asking people to practice social distancing and to wear face coverings while inside buildings.
On Monday, the management of the Speedrome was not authorized to talk on camera about what happen over the weekend. This track will celebrate its 80th year of racing next year.
The Speedrome has a loyal following that shows up every Saturday night for the races. The Speedrome management has not released their official attendance figures for Saturday night. News 8 was told that the crowd seen in the video thinned out considerably over the first hour and that several people left.
News 8 has been in constant contact with management of the Speedrome, which said it was working on a statement.