KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - MAY 02: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light For The Farmers Ford, Kurt Busch, driver of the #1 Monster Energy Chevrolet, Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota, Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Mix Toyota, talk on the grid prior to  the NASCAR Cup Series Buschy McBusch Race 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 02, 2021 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - MAY 02: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light For The Farmers Ford, Kurt Busch, driver of the #1 Monster Energy Chevrolet, Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota, Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Mix Toyota, talk on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Buschy McBusch Race 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 02, 2021 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

NASCAR No Longer Requiring Masks in Outside Area

On Thursday morning (May 13), NASCAR announced it had updated its event operations protocol and will no longer require masks when outdoors in the infield.

Masks will still be mandated inside buildings, team haulers, or any other enclosed spaces and where state or local mandates necessitate mask use.

“Going forward, our focus is on encouraging everyone to get vaccinated and preventing indoor spread of COVID-19,” NASCAR said in a statement.