UPDATE: With surrounding states relaxing restrictions, a return could come before May 24. One proposed schedule showed NASCAR restarting at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina on May 17, followed by a 400-mile race at Charlotte on May 20 and the 600 on the 24th. That version of the schedule then had the Cup Series traveling to Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee for a May 27 race.
— Associated Press —
UPDATE: NASCAR is getting closer to resuming its season, and Darlington Raceway will be one of the early stops, a state tourism leader said Thursday.
S.C. tourism chief Duane Parrish confirmed reports that NASCAR’s oldest superspeedway would host a race once the sport’s season resumes.
Parrish, speaking on the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on tourism and sporting events in the state, didn’t specify a date for a Darlington race — though mid-May has been speculated as a possible spot. The comments were made during Gov. Henry McMaster’s first “accelerateSC” meeting Thursday.
“Some good news,” Parrish said. “The RBC Heritage announced they will be playing a made-for-television event, no spectators. Before that, Darlington will broadcast a race as well with NASCAR. So we do have some lights at the end of the tunnel in regards to events.”
— The State —
UPDATE 4-21-2020: [Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie] Gossage said he now believes NASCAR’s intention is to return Memorial Day weekend with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.
“Let’s say the Coke 600 goes off on-time; that leaves two weeks after [to race at TMS]. I can see that making some sense to us. Not doing it in front of a crowd, you can do Cup and IndyCar, or even four races. It can be done.”
Gossage said he spoke Sunday night with Roger Penske, new owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar, as well as a team owner in NASCAR.
Gossage said Penske voiced support of a shared weekend at TMS “because he’s doing it at Indy. We hadn’t talked about it until last night, and he said, ‘Love the idea. … You’ve got my support.’”
Gossage said a shared NASCAR weekend with IndyCar’s Genesys 600 also makes sense from a track-operator’s business model.
Gossage said the TV networks — NASCAR on Fox and IndyCar on NBC — are ready.
— Dallas News —
ORIGINAL POST 4-20-2020: All indications are that NASCAR continues to develop a plan that will allow them to return to racing as quickly as possible, possibly as early as mid-May.
Today, Texas Governor Greg Abbot tweeted that NASCAR was working to return to Texas Motor Speedway:
Just spoke to @NASCAR leaders.
They’re working to return to Texas at Texas Motor Speedway very soon.
I hope to announce the exciting details in the near future.
To prevent spread of #COVID19 it will be without fans.
But they will put on a great show for TV.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 20, 2020
Texas Motor Speedway issued the following statement in response:
“Texas Governor Greg Abbott has given NASCAR the green flag to race, and our sport is eager to get back on track. Texas Motor Speedway will work aggressively with the sanctioning bodies and TV networks to give American society, as well as people around the world, a positive distraction during this crisis. A non-spectator event is not perfect because in our sport, the fans come first. But circumstances are such that this is a novel answer for the return of the sport for now. We are now working on a hard date.
Our sport is unique because the competitors are inside the race cars with no body-to-body contact like most other sports. That is a distinct advantage over other sports and why you will likely see auto racing as the first live sport returning to action. We appreciate the Governor’s support for the return of racing at Texas Motor Speedway very soon. He’s been to the races here before and has been an admirable leader throughout this crisis.”
Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage said, in reply to a tweet, that the track (or NASCAR) would test everyone before the race.
— Eddie Gossage ™️ (@eddiegossage) April 20, 2020
Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern reported Monday morning that Darlington could be the site of an early race because it is within driving distance of most teams:
.@NASCAR is considering running its first race back in mid May, potentially one weekend before the Coke 600, and some teams are pushing for it to be at a track within driving distance of Charlotte.
➖ One of the driving-distance options now being considered is Darlington. pic.twitter.com/eXNQ9QlvLp
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) April 20, 2020
Over the weekend, North Carolina lawmakers asked the Governor to allow racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
In addition, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, says he has talked to Lesa France Kennedy about NASCAR competing at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The mayor of Homestead is also in favor of that move.
However, restrictions in place by the state of California currently have the future of the race at Sonoma in doubt.
All current plans call for races to be run without fans in the stands. In addition, races are likely to be modified initially with discussions centered around limiting the number of people at the track, possibly shortening races, limiting pit stops, and other provisions.
NASCAR’s ability to return to the track will also be dependent on North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper allowing teams to enter the shops and get cars to the track.