NASCAR is getting back on track May 17 with a Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina, one of four it hopes to run without fans during the month of May, making it the first major U.S. sporting body to return to competition after being suspended due to the coronavirus crisis.
The sanctioning body announced a slate of seven races across its top three series that kicks off with a 400-mile Cup race at Darlington, followed by an Xfinity Series night race on May 19 and a 500 km Cup race on Wednesday night.
From there, the show moves to Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina for the annual Coca-Cola 600 on May 24. Xfinity and Gander Truck races will be held at the track Monday and Tuesday, respectively, and another 500 km race on May 27.
“NASCAR will return in an environment that will ensure the safety of our competitors, officials and all those in the local community. We thank local, state and federal officials and medical experts, as well as everyone in the industry, for the unprecedented support in our return to racing, and we look forward to joining our passionate fans in watching cars return to the track,” Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer, said in a news release.
North Carolina last week classified NASCAR teams as essential businesses, allowing the Charlotte-area outfits to return to their shops to begin preparations for the season.
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