Essential personnel only will be there, wearing masks.
NASCAR announced Thursday that it will resume its season without fans starting May 17 at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. NASCAR joins the UFC as the first major sports organizations to announce specific return-to-play plans since the coronavirus pandemic shut down sports in mid-March, the AP reports. “NASCAR will return in an environment that will ensure the safety of our competitors, officials and all those in the local community,” said NASCAR exec Steve O’Donnell. Only essential personnel will be permitted to attend, and cloth face masks will be required.
NASCAR’s revised schedule goes only through May and has two Wednesday races, fulfilling fans’ plea for midweek events. The first race is scheduled for Darlington, NASCAR’s oldest superspeedway, followed by a second race at the same track three days later. Charlotte Motor Speedway will then host the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24.
NASCAR WITHOUT FANS IS LIKE CLAM CHOWDER WITHOUT OYSTER CRACKERS..
..OR A NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER..
..OR A DATE WITH BOOBS AND A WANG..
Who cares. They were broadcasting E-Nascar with Jeff Gordon Commenting. (video gaming)
The only redeeming quality is that the actual cars still have a clutch and a gearshift. An anti theft device in todays world.
Otherwise WGAS.
I think it’s a brilliant move. Truth be known, the fans at a NASCAR race do not impact the drivers like the fans at a football, hockey, basketball or baseball game do. The drivers don’t need the fans to be the “extra player” in their competition – the same holds true with golf, or any “individual sport”.
When you watch a race on TV, how much attention is paid to the fans in the stands? Umm, maybe none??
While they will lose a considerable amount of ticket and concession revenue, I suspect there will be a significant increase in TV viewership, and thus TV revenue. This is all about the TV revenue.
..OR SUSAN SARANDON WITHOUT A BRA..
If a tree falls in a forest and nobody hears it, does it make a sound?
News flash: NASCAR killed itself WELL BEFORE the corona virus bullshit ever entered into the equation.
Change my mind.
I like Susan Sarandon without a bra…..I collect yo yo’s……
In all seriousness…Nascar NEEDS the fans…..There’s nothing more special then 100K willysgoat’s drinkin’ beer, hootin’, hollerin’ and eatin’ BBQ and hot dogs…..with wet T-shirts caused by festive perspiration….
Go fast, turn left, pretty much sums up NASCAR. Would rather watch Rally Races, dirt tracks, and totally insane drivers.
Crap. Tomorrow is May 1st. Federal lockdown over. Time to joyfully gather in defiance of local ordinances.
Make a poster. Stand somewhere people can see you for a while. You don’t have to do it all day.
The point is to create a groundswell of sane people who will realize it’s time to go back to work.
Since there’s no fans, then remove the restrictor plates. Make the Corona 500 worth watching.
NASCAR was Petty, Allison, and Ernhardt (not the fuckin’ kid) back when they ran up against each other and you didn’t have pussies in charge of the pit crews making them dress up like spacemen just to change tires and dump fuel!
This in the “new generation” NASCAR for the limp wristed!
Such bullshit.
Doc @
I remember when Dick Trickle had an ashtray in his stock car for Yellow laps.
Earnhardt vs Elliot was my era.
Winston Cup not Pissed in Cup.
No fans in the stands? No fans at home either. If you want to see some fun racing, tune in to Austrailian vintage sedan racing. 60s and 70s Camaros, Mustangs, Challengers, ‘Cudas and the odd Holden and Aussie Falcon banging fenders on road courses. Like Trans Am of old.
Tony R
You nailed it.
I raced for 8 years,no sponsors no fans.
I raced mostly Road courses, but it pisses me off when people compare oval racing to going fast and turning left.
They have not got a clue.
Would i do it again,in a heart beat,but my bank account is holding me back.