As NASCAR prepares to return later this month to the real-life race track — as opposed to the virtual track drivers have been competing on while the COVID-19 crisis put the season on hold — it outlined some strict health and safety protocols put in place to protect the few people actually allowed at the track, along with anyone they may come into contact with.
Of course, spectators won’t be in the stands. But NASCAR is requiring those who are allowed to attend to practice social distancing and wear personal protective equipment like masks. Teams are also limited to 16 people per car roster, and there will also be health screenings for people when they enter and exit the track, along with during the event.
And just in case anyone doesn’t take these new rules seriously, the governing body is ready to fine people not complying up to $50,000.
NASCAR updated its rules Wednesday regarding members’ conduct to include, via RACER:
“[F]ailure to comply with NASCAR’s COVID-19 Event Protocol Guidelines and/or instructions from NASCAR including screenings, social distancing, compartmentalization, and use of required personal protective equipment, etc.”
As NBC Sports noted, the penalty for breaking these rules will lead to a fine between $10,000 and $50,000 for the Cup Series, between $5,000 and $25,000 for the second-tier XFINITY Series and between $2,500 and $12,500 for the third-tier Truck Series. (The latter two series are also returning to racing with an adjusted schedule.)
After eight Cup Series races have been postponed, NASCAR is planning its return for Sunday, May 17 at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. Reworking the schedule, that event is followed by a mid-week, second race at Darlington and then two races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the first of which is the Coca-Cola 600.
In addition to implementing safety measures at the track, NASCAR significantly modify both its season and individual weekend schedules.
To put on a race but limit travel and exposure to others, it’s ensuring that every race is a one-day show. Both tracks are within driving distance from NASCAR’s home base in Charlotte — so no flights, hotels, engaging with the community, etc. — and there won’t be practices or qualifying (except the latter for the Coke 600).
North Carolina and South Carolina are also allowing NASCAR to race, and that will be a factor in determining how the rest of the schedule will look after these first four races, three of which are new to the schedule, adding another layer of complexity to the return of racing.
The first NASCAR event following the season’s coronavirus-related suspension is a nameless 400-mile race at Darlington on Sunday, May 17 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The next one is Wednesday the 20th also at Darlington at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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