NASCAR Returns With Handful Of Races Beginning May 17
NASCAR is set to become one of the first major sports to return after a two-month hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Action is set to begin on May 17, with three races at Darlington Raceway followed by two weeks of scheduled events.
As with the return of any major sports, the main goal is to keep competitors safe. In order to do this, league officials have changed up a few things that fans might not notice. However, races will still look the same.
NASCAR schedule for May
Sports bettors eager to place some bets on NASCAR races will be happy to know there will be seven races over an 11-day span beginning Sunday, May 17.
Here is what the schedule looks like thus far.
- May 17 — Darlington Raceway — Cup Series
- May 19 — Darlington Raceway — Xfinity Series
- May 20 — Darlington Raceway — Cup Series
- May 24 — Charlotte Motor Speedway — Cup Series
- May 25 — Charlotte Motor Speedway — Xfinity Series
- May 26 — Charlotte Motor Speedway — Trucks Series
- May 27 — Charlotte Motor Speedway — Cup Series
New procedures for NASCAR
According to ESPN, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and state health officials, held conversations with NASCAR to determine the best and safest way racing could return.
One of the most noticeable differences with all May races will be the absence of fans.
Some, but not all, of the new procedures include:
- Teams will be limited to 16 total members, including the driver.
- Only licensed NASCAR team members will be permitted onto the racetrack and will be required to wear a cloth face mask at all times.
- Garage work areas will be spread out to comply with social distancing requirements.
- Pit crew members will use face screens in addition to normal gear.
- There will be random temperature checks of everyone working in the garage area.
- Anyon
e determined to be a potential virus threat will be required to leave and be replaced with another crew member.
NASCAR’s vice president of racing operations John Bobo said drivers and crew members will not receive COVID-19 tests because they are not widely available to the public.
Through a series of tweets, several high profile drivers like Alex Bowman, Jimmie Johnson, and Brad Keselowski have expressed their excitement for NASCAR’s return.
League officials have said there is a tentative schedule in place for June but anything past the May 17 return is subject to change.
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