NASCAR all alone as coronavirus alters biggest day of racing in motor sports
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 16: The sign outside of Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, reads "Stay Strong USA" on May 16, 2020 in Concord, North Carolina. On May 17, 2020, NASCAR is set to have its first race since March due to st
CONCORD, N.C. - The most celebrated day in motor sports -- the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend -- has a much different look this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The day usually features the Monaco Grand Prix in Europe, the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte.
This year, the pandemic has forced the cancellation of the Monaco race and the postponement of the Indy 500 until August.
The only race revved up to go is the NASCAR race -- the stock car circuit’s longest of the year.
The Coca-Cola 600 at the 79,000-seat speedway will have a total of 900 to 1,000 people on the property, consisting of drivers, each race team’s crew members, NASCAR officials, a smaller-than-usual on-site TV production crew, medical staffers and a media press-box contingent of four reporters, according to the Charlotte Business Insider.
The dusk-to-dark race is a Memorial Day celebration, with fallen heroes honored on each car and a post-race fireworks spectacular.
The race itself is one of the most grueling of the season. It’s almost always hot, the race is 100 miles longer than any other and it is a true battle of attrition. Drivers love the event and many teams enjoy the challenge of tackling a 600-miler. They also respect what the Coca-Cola 600 has become over the last 61 years.
“I think for our hardcore fans and for the people that appreciate the history of NASCAR, the 600 is it’s own kind of animal and it’s own show,” said driver Martin Truex Jr. “For us in the sport and drivers especially, it’s a big one and it’s one we all want to win.”
The Coca-Cola 600 is the fourth race in the past week since NASCAR returned to the track.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
CATCH THE COCA-COLA 600 STARTING AT 6 P.M. ON FOX 5!