
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, Avondale, AZ. (Photo/Getty Images)
In less than two weeks, NASCAR engines will be roaring again after being idle for a while given the suspensions and cancellations that have affected all major sports due to the Coronavirus pandemic. “The Health and safety of our fans, industries and the communities in which we race is our most important priority,” a NASCAR spokesperson told the press back in March when the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing decided to postpone its schedule due to safety concerns.
But now the races and excitement to go with them are coming back, with NASCAR announced last week that it is returning to action on May 17th at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. Brining fans some well-deserved racing with a two-week adrenaline-packed schedule.
The races themselves will look very similar, but everything around the races in terms of schedules, logistics and crowds will be very different. With NASCAR changing all the procedures around the race to protect competitors, staff and the community safe and protected from the Coronavirus.
The Cup Series will kick off on May 17th, where this 400-mile event is the first of seven events which last eleven days and comprise of all three NASCAR National Series. The first two races will be held in Darlington, closely followed by two more in Charlotte Motor Speedway. This totals four races in eleven days.
NASCAR cooperated with state authorities and local governments to devise and implement a plan that will allow to return to racing, but with public health and safety being held at top priority. Among the new procedures, only licensed NASCAR team members and staff will be allowed on the track, and will require to wear protective gear such as face masks, etc. Teams will be limited to 16 members including the driver, social distancing rules will be monitored, random temperature and health checks will be done and more.
Media coverage outside of TV and Radio official broadcast partners is still being discussed and has not been determined yet. “This is still work in progress,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive VP in a recorded press conference on Thursday. “Sports fans around the world need this, a return to some sense of normality with live sports on TV, and NASCAR is uniquely positioned to deliver it from a competition standpoint,” he added.
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