NASCAR to Welcome Back Guests in Select Tracks after Return with No Fans

NASCAR revealed that two upcoming races this month will be welcoming a limited number of guests and will be adhering to health protocols to ensure the safety of its attendees.

Shortly after resuming races with empty grandstands, NASCAR announced on June 9 that it’s prepared to welcome guests at a limited capacity in the next weeks.

According to an official release from NASCAR, two upcoming races this month, the Dixie Vodka 400 on June 14 and the GEICO 500 on June 21 will be receiving guests as well as practicing modified event protocols to ensure everyone’s health and safety.

LIMITED GUESTS

Homestead-Miami Superspeedway which will be hosting the Dixie Vodka 400 announced in a tweet that it will be inviting a limited number of South Florida military members as guests for this year’s race. According to NASCAR, there will be about 1,000 of them.

Apart from its efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, NASCAR was recently in the news due to its drivers who’ve been speaking out against racism following George Floyd’s death.

Meanwhile, Talladega Superspeedway, through its president, Brian Crichton assured that it will work closely with health and government officials as they gradually return to racing starting with the GEICO 500. NASCAR confirmed that the event will allow up to 5,000 guests in the front stretch and grandstands.

PROTOCOLS IN PLACE

NASCAR Executive Vice President, David Wolfe acknowledged that there is a great responsibility involved in resuming races with guests. As such, protocols have been set in place to ensure the health and safety of everyone in the race.

This includes screening guests upon entry and requiring them to wear face coverings. They will also be required to distance themselves six feet apart and will be prevented from getting access to the infield.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Apart from its efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, NASCAR was recently in the news due to its stand against racism. Likewise, NASCAR drivers have been speaking out against police brutality and inequality following George Floyd’s death. Among them were Bubba Wallace and Ty Dillon who had an Instagram live discussion about the issues.

In another conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Wallace opened up about his own experience with police brutality when he was just nine years old. He revealed his unarmed cousin was shot when a police officer thought he was bringing out a gun which turned out to be his cellphone.

Other NASCAR drivers who took to social media to express their sentiments surrounding Floyd’s death included Ryan Blaney, Jimmie Johnson, Austin Dillon, Tyler Reddick, and Daniel Suarez.