Why some fans were in the stands for NASCAR’s race at Homestead-Miami

Local service members were invited to Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami.

NASCAR has not yet opened up its races to the general public, but 1,000 special guests were allowed to sit in the grandstands at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday afternoon for the Cup Series’ Dixie Vodka 400, which is the first major American sporting event since the coronavirus shutdown began to allow spectators.

In appreciation of the military, local service members from Homestead Air Reserve Base and U.S. Southern Command in Doral were invited to Sunday’s race. All spectators were required to undergo a medical screening upon entering the track, were asked to wear a facemask, and to socially distance themselves from other groups. Across a gigantic grandstand, that was a fairly easy task, and allowed NASCAR fans to safely see the action in person.

NASCAR will welcome the general public back next weekend for the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, where a total of 5,000 fans will be allowed at the track, which has a grandstand capacity of 78,000.

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