NASCAR has extended its postponement of on-track activity through May 3, the stock-car racing sanctioning body announced Monday. NASCAR hopes to return to action with its Martinsville Speedway race weekend, scheduled to culminate with a NASCAR Cup Series race on May 9.
“The health and safety of our fans, industry and the communities in which we race is our most important priority, so in accordance with recent CDC guidance, NASCAR is currently postponing all race events through May 3 with plans to return racing in Martinsville,” a statement from NASCAR read. We appreciate the patience of our fans, and we look forward to returning to the race track. We intend to hold all 36 races this season, with future rescheduling soon, to be determined as we continue to monitor this situation closely with public health officials and medical experts. What is important now transcends the world of sports, and our focus is on everyone’s safety and wellbeing as we navigate this challenging time together.”
One race weekend already has been postponed at Atlanta Motor Speedway and the postponement of the Homestead-Miami Speedway weekend, scheduled to culminate in a Cup Series race on March 22, already had been announced. Before announcing postponement of Atlanta and Homestead race weekends on March 13, NASCAR briefly had plans to continue racing without fans in attendance.
The latest postponement announcement adds race weekends scheduled for Texas Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Richmond Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway and Dover International Speedway to the postponed list.
“As NASCAR recently announcement, the postponement of all race events through May 3, the Geico 500 race weekend [April 24-26] at Talladega Superspeedway has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date. We will continue to work closely with NASCAR officials on a rescheduled race date while maintaining contact with local and federal and government and health officials for the latest information on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic” Talladega Superspeedway President Brian Crichton said. “We want to thank all of our loyal and devoted fans who were set to join us during our April race weekend. The health and safety of our guests, NASCAR stakeholders, employees and our community is our number one priority. We appreciate your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times, and we look forward to having everyone back in the near future for the greatest racing on the planet.”
The NASCAR Cup and Gander RV & Outdoors Truck series also are scheduled to race at Talladega in early October.
