The grandstands are empty as cars are being brought onto the track, in background, at turn during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
The sun rises over the track with what will remain empty stands as USF2000 cars zoom towards turn 10 in the first practice session of the weekend at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
The areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty 3during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
The areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
The areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
This gallery continues below...
Advertisement
The grandstands are empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
The grandstands are empty overlooking pit lane during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
David Allan, left, and Jon Jenney, who are both taking a break abefore heading back up to the empty VIP section where they are working, during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. "We haven't seen anyone," Allan said. "It's crazy, it's so sad." DIRK SHADD | Times
The grandstands are empty as cars makes their way around past the Mahaffey Theater and head towards turn 10 during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
The areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
This gallery continues below...
Advertisement
The grandstands are empty as cars makes their way around past the Mahaffey Theater and head towards turn 10 during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
The grandstands are empty overlooking pit lane during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
Vendors continue to pack up and shut down as the areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
The spectator VIP area overlooking pit lane is virtually empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
Jon Jenney, sits alone with no fans in the stand while working in the VIP area overlooking pit lane, during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
This gallery continues below...
Advertisement
Jon Jenney, sits alone with no fans in the stand while working in the VIP area overlooking pit lane, during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
The grandstands are empty overlooking pit lane heading to turn one during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
The areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
The areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty 3during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
The areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty 3during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times
This gallery continues below...
Advertisement
David Allan, the elevator operator for the VIP section above pit lane, looks at his phone after taking photographs of turn 10 and the Mahaffey Theater with the stands empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. "We haven't seen anyone," Allan said. "It's crazy, it's so sad." DIRK SHADD | Times
Grand Prix staff works to remove the show car from the entrance of the Mahaffey Theater after the news that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The IndyCar Series season opener was one of the last holdouts. DIRK SHADD | Times
A Grand Prix staff member carries away the non alcoholic sparkling wine that would have been used for the Road to Indy series celebration after the news that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The IndyCar Series season opener was one of the last holdouts. Note: Due to the sound age of the majority of the drivers in that series, the bubbly is non alcoholic. DIRK SHADD | Times
Kirby What, the front end mechanic for driver Marco Andretti, works to pack up the paddock area after the news that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The IndyCar Series season opener was one of the last holdouts. DIRK SHADD | Times
The scene in the paddock area after the news that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The IndyCar Series season opener was one of the last holdouts. DIRK SHADD | Times
This gallery continues below...
Advertisement
Stephanie Clark works to pack up her frozen drinks stand, one of the few concession stands that was open to begin with, after the news that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The IndyCar Series season opener was one of the last holdouts. DIRK SHADD | Times
Works pack up after the news that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The IndyCar Series season opener was one of the last holdouts. DIRK SHADD | Times (2020)
The track is void of cars after the news that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The IndyCar Series season opener was one of the last holdouts. DIRK SHADD | Times
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QXA5LLX4RBCEXI3MBV3CTVEHCQ.JPG "The grandstands are empty as cars are being brought onto the track, in background, at turn during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FQYFFYHQRZHF7BJWQ4WFZENMQA.JPG "The sun rises over the track with what will remain empty stands as USF2000 cars zoom towards turn 10 in the first practice session of the weekend at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/J3TZNPJXRBGGTEJZCHKXVRY4D4.JPG "The areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty 3during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/RT7BU6I7ORCB7PDNINXG2CFJX4.jpg "The areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/IU2C37PZGBETRN55LOJ7GFEWWQ.JPG "The areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/32EF4XGJMFBFXBHOHWY3HN2OAA.JPG "The grandstands are empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QZKFWMGI35B7DDOR573BGNXJXE.JPG "The grandstands are empty overlooking pit lane during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ADFQXSSS7RG3LGXW2MOGQFZZ3U.JPG "David Allan, left, and Jon Jenney, who are both taking a break abefore heading back up to the empty VIP section where they are working, during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. \"We haven't seen anyone,\" Allan said. \"It's crazy, it's so sad.\"")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/Z5IZGBZEQJFYNHCMI472C4CZV4.JPG "The grandstands are empty as cars makes their way around past the Mahaffey Theater and head towards turn 10 during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/G47S2J6D5JGNLMJNVHIVBER47Q.JPG "The areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/GOCZ4PQ2PZAMVNYNEECNOS7YZE.JPG "The grandstands are empty as cars makes their way around past the Mahaffey Theater and head towards turn 10 during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FCNCGS2AERBKRLMGSHF5MH73R4.JPG "The grandstands are empty overlooking pit lane during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7IBCBBAKFRA33KWMNEXJUFQJLI.JPG "Vendors continue to pack up and shut down as the areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PVOU2BK55BGCVD4LJMQ4OTHWH4.JPG "The spectator VIP area overlooking pit lane is virtually empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3SGM3GBXYFDKJL6Z6JFKW66LUQ.JPG "Jon Jenney, sits alone with no fans in the stand while working in the VIP area overlooking pit lane, during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LCUBKAL4SBBIBK5ZDYLVNLVP7Q.JPG "Jon Jenney, sits alone with no fans in the stand while working in the VIP area overlooking pit lane, during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4URY26ISXZCYLNLEUDQ5Z45PUQ.JPG "The grandstands are empty overlooking pit lane heading to turn one during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4VQ2SAXEUBAERJ3VCM5LAZ2GCQ.JPG "The areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/CK2TNOVTLJEBLKSIFWZZACIITU.JPG "The areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty 3during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/XBIIBEJ63NC77KWXFD677OY2VM.JPG "The areas around the track and grandstands are virtually empty 3during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/RODOBEKYU5GLRLWRZRF2P4EGRE.JPG "David Allan, the elevator operator for the VIP section above pit lane, looks at his phone after taking photographs of turn 10 and the Mahaffey Theater with the stands empty during the opening day of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. \"We haven't seen anyone,\" Allan said. \"It's crazy, it's so sad.\"")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FDXOT2OKYBFTDAESDC532WWHEY.JPG "Grand Prix staff works to remove the show car from the entrance of the Mahaffey Theater after the news that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The IndyCar Series season opener was one of the last holdouts.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/45NPMNWYWBCS3FCAUEAWYK6UKE.JPG "A Grand Prix staff member carries away the non alcoholic sparkling wine that would have been used for the Road to Indy series celebration after the news that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The IndyCar Series season opener was one of the last holdouts. Note: Due to the sound age of the majority of the drivers in that series, the bubbly is non alcoholic.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/IJVMY24QNFD3DFA3QWGVZFC2AY.JPG "Kirby What, the front end mechanic for driver Marco Andretti, works to pack up the paddock area after the news that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The IndyCar Series season opener was one of the last holdouts.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DLLBUHDSX5FKVGQ4WROF3XP4KU.JPG "The scene in the paddock area after the news that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The IndyCar Series season opener was one of the last holdouts.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/42ASWRN67ND67AAUMJLX4XCOHU.JPG "Stephanie Clark works to pack up her frozen drinks stand, one of the few concession stands that was open to begin with, after the news that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The IndyCar Series season opener was one of the last holdouts.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/GEKP6SMRBFFLNGAJ5BKMK4A4QI.JPG "Works pack up after the news that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The IndyCar Series season opener was one of the last holdouts.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/W5EMP23EGRG5FBEFTXO4O6BMLY.JPG "The track is void of cars after the news that the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, March 13, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The IndyCar Series season opener was one of the last holdouts.")
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/edba4655-f417-4021-9fcc-c9ea83dbafc7.png "Dirk Shadd - Photographer")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/8fEC6K8OBa7d9WyCwS0OY29b6x8=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/FOD34LCUPJCH3NBRUVFIR44QRM.jpg "Hillsborough County Schools graduations get underway")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/FSQmwCDB6ZrtS1ZQn_DvoM-h1S4=/1200x675/filters:focal(2615x1285:2625x1275)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/Q5RBGXRYU5FV5NPJUPOW45BEVQ.jpg "RC Enerson’s remarkable rise to Indy 500 rookie from Pasco County")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/uK_jc_0xZMFDFQsAvh-4dipQ7ug=/1200x675/filters:focal(2325x1615:2335x1605)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5Y25ZTU25H5LGITDNFBC72ZLZA.jpg "Only 9 women have raced the Indy 500. The push for more has stalled")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/u-M4JnelV64oGrelR76W1C0Vvws=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/6MACKJHK2JBLZDLNMN2TY5QKNM.JPG "Brewers avoid Rays sweep despite 4 RBIs from Josh Lowe")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/mBZ3Qsrz689tE9nS-CVuwyhDDOE=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DITG2V6DT5AH3PEFNQFJYH7ZLA.JPG "Investors may be calling, but that doesn’t mean Sternberg is selling Rays")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/PH7OslcQpJm_a5O4SAgd-efHdeg=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3OMYL4G4HJEPHAEE7Y24YASL4Q.JPG "Randy Arozarena delivers for fans as Rays hold off Blue Jays")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/QsT4TP--iSJQc-m7eGJfq1MQQ1M=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KB6Z7H24FRHDHNKTUBDLK43HLU.JPG "Getting back to big leagues at 100 mph for this one-time prized prospect")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/ocd6aJeNh2HnDGTjI4kqU6qNXZE=/1200x675/filters:focal(2115x935:2125x925)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/SVEMKA3JW5F5FEUTTZL4SAF4UI.JPG "Shane McClanahan leads the way as Rays bounce back to beat Blue Jays")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/4OBRmyZ1fkGwHcFBSgHG7Kx9E_w=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4ILJFVYOURBVZN4GBYDLASIOPY.JPG "Plant regroups during weather delay, rallies to reach Class 7A final")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/Uq15sarkWm_KqoYKkeKQs78ziPs=/1200x675/filters:focal(1115x495:1125x485)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/SH6U6Z63JNFBVHVCSBCB4OTVJQ.JPG "How Rays’ Tyler Glasnow feels as he prepares to make his season debut")