Four days before the race , the September 11 attacks took place , causing most major American sporting events scheduled on the same weekend as the German 500 to be postponed , including National Football League ( NFL ) and Major League Baseball ( MLB ) games , and a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race , the New Hampshire 300 , at New Hampshire Motor Speedway . The Italian Grand Prix , a Formula One race , was held that weekend . According to Ronald Richards , the vice president of CART , the series decided to continue with the race prior to the cancellation of that week 's NFL games , a decision followed by other American leagues . Richards acknowledged that " We wish we would have had the input regarding the NFL 's decision prior to making our decision . " In remembrance of the September 11 attacks ' victims , and in a desire to avoid criticism for holding the German 500 so soon afterward , CART changed the race 's name to the American Memorial . The series also held tributes on the day of the race , and made a $ 500,000 donation to the World Trade Center Relief Fund , matching the event 's prize fund
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
2001 American Memorial