NASCAR is coming back from its COVID-19 break with a bang! Starting May 17, there will be seven races held in just 10 days.
Racing will resume on Sunday, May 17, at Darlington Raceway with a NASCAR Cup Series Race. It will be the first of seven races that will take place in just 11 days. The seven races will take place at just two race tracks: Charlotte Motor Speedway and Darlington.
There will be no fans in attendance.
“NASCAR and its teams are eager and excited to return to racing, and have great respect for the responsibility that comes with a return to competition,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “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.”
Precautions
- NASCAR officials say they have worked with public health officials to create a health and safety plan to protect both the competitors and the communities where the races are held. They promise to follow CDC guidelines.
- All of the tracks are within driving distance of North Carolina race shops to help minimize the amount of travel. There will be no qualifying or practice sessions held. The only exception will be the Coca-Cola 600.
- NASCAR will also mandate the use of PPE and require health screenings for anyone entering the facilities.
- The May 17 and May 20 races at Darlington will not replace the Southern 500. NASCAR intends to keep its 10-race postseason format and tracks involved unchanged, but the situation remains fluid.
Schedule
Plans are still in place to run a full 36-race season. But that is subject to change. The races are as follows:
| Sun., May 17 | Cup Series | Darlington | 400 miles | FOX | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| Tue., May 19 | Xfinity Series | Darlington | 200 miles | FS1 | 8 p.m. ET |
| Wed., May 20 | Cup Series | Darlington | 500 km | FS1 | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| Sun., May 24 | Cup Series | Charlotte | 600 miles | FOX | 6 p.m. ET |
| Mon., May 25 | Xfinity Series | Charlotte | 300 miles | FS1 | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| Tue., May 26 | Gander Trucks | Charlotte | 200 miles | FS1 | 8 p.m. ET |
| Wed., May 27 | Cup Series | Charlotte | 500 km | FS1 | 8 p.m. ET |
