ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — If it seems the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was just here, you’re not wrong.

The coronavirus-delayed 2020 version of the race was pushed back to October.

Now, five months later, set up is starting in downtown St. Pete for the 2021 version of one of the city’s signature events. And it's the third set up in the last 12 months.

Crews have started constructing the track for this year’s race weekend, scheduled for April 23-25.

Grandstands are already going up near Albert Whitted Park and the track is set to be laid out, which will mean barricades brought in and road closures set up.

All totaled, 18,000 feet of concrete barriers will be set up, along with 22,000 feet of fencing.

Normally the opening race on the IndyCar Series, this year the Grand Prix will be the second race of the season. Drivers say this course is worth it.

“You feel like you’re part of the city when you’re racing and it just builds up that atmosphere around it and adds a little more pressure to the drivers,” said 2020 Indy Pro 2000 Champion Sting Ray Robb. “But I think it’s a good amount of pressure.”

The street course has 14 turns and takes over a good portion of downtown.

Race officials have a month to set up for the event that will welcome 20,000 fans per day – restricted due to Covid-19 protocols.

Organizers say they wanted to be on the same team as the city of St. Pete when it comes to holding this event.

“Some people may be thinking we’re being over cautious while other events are going crazy,” said Kim Greene with the Grand Prix. “But the city here and the city staff and the mayor want to make sure that we approach things cautiously so we’re doing that and we’re agreeing to do that.”