NASCAR becomes the first major sport to resume events with May races

Enlarge / A NASCAR sign is seen during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on April 24, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

On Thursday afternoon, NASCAR announced that it would be the first major sporting series to get back into action since the COVID-19 pandemic put an end to public gatherings. The series had halted racing in mid-March, at the time saying that it planned to resume its calendar on May 9. Now, its cars will fire up again for a 400-mile (643km) race on Sunday, May 17 at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina, although spectators will not be allowed at the track.

NASCAR plans to run seven races over 10 days. The first three will be at Darlington, with its Cup series racing on May 17, and also again Wednesday, May 20, with an Xfinity race (the feeder series) running Tuesday, May 19. On May 24, the sport relocates to Charlotte Motor Speedway, in North Carolina, for the Coca-Cola 600. Charlotte will also host an Xfinity race on May 25, a truck race on May 26, and another Cup race on May 27.

"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. NASCAR will return in an environment that will ensure the safety of our competitors, officials, and all those in the local community," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer.

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