The 1920 Grand Prix season saw further activity in motor-racing gradually increase. Europe was still recovering from the end of the war and the terrible pandemic that swept the continent. Automotive companies were gradually re-establishing themselves after re-tooling from a wartime footing and getting production lines rolling again.
A new 3-litre formula was adopted on both sides of the Atlantic and the Indianapolis 500 would be a close contest between the best of the new designs from France and the USA. Ralph DePalma led for over half the race in his Ballot, only for it to catch fire with four laps to go. Gaston Chevrolet inherited the lead and held on to win by six minutes. His Monroe-Frontenac was the first American car to win the great race since 1912. DePalma got his revenge later in the year, winning the last Elgin Trophy, on the only road-course in the AAA Championship. Chevrolet won the AAA season championship; despite being killed at the end of the year in a collision at the Beverley Hills race he had already accumulated enough points.
Racing was gradually returning to Europe, although there was no Grand Prix. Club racing started again at Brooklands. A new race at Mugello in Italy was won by veteran Giuseppe Campari in an Alfa Romeo. Voiturette racing resumed with the Coupe des Voiturettes held on a shortened circuit at Le Mans. It was won by Ernest Friderich in a Bugatti. Near the end of the year, the Targa Florio was run again on the island of Sicily. It was won by Guido Meregalli in a Nazzaro GP.