NASCAR isn’t coming back until May. Five more races have been postponed.
The morning after NASCAR announced it is postponing all races through May 3 in accordance with recent CDC guidelines for containing coronavirus, NASCAR president Steve Phelps addressed a letter to fans stating that “we intend to hold all races this season, with future scheduling soon to be determined.”
In his statement, Phelps reiterated NASCAR’s plan to return to racing at Martinsville on May 9.
“This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of our fans, competitors and all those employed across our sport,” the statement said. “We understand the decision not to race is met with some feelings of disappointment. After all, it’s the thrill of the race that attracts us to NASCAR and makes us all fans.
“But as we look broadly at the coronavirus situation that is rapidly developing in our country and abroad, what is important now is bigger than the world of sports, and we must focus on everyone’s safety and well-being.”
On Tuesday, NASCAR also announced an update to its simulator testing rules in response to coronavirus by banning all testing not directly related to the Next Gen car. The ban prevents manufacturers, teams and drivers from using wind tunnels, climatic tunnels, 7/8 posters, K&C rigs and driver simulators, among other devices, until further notice.
The ban on testing is to prevent individuals from putting themselves at risk in order to gain a competitive advantage during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Next Gen car, which is scheduled to debut next season, will be the only vehicle allowed to continue testing, with the test schedule organized by NASCAR.
On Monday, NASCAR announced it is postponing five more races through May 3 in accordance with recent CDC guidelines for containing novel coronavirus.
“The health and safety of our fans, industry and the communities in which we race is our most important priority,” NASCAR said in a statement on Monday. “So in accordance with recent CDC guidance, NASCAR is currently postponing all race events through May 3rd, with plans to return racing in Martinsville.”
“We appreciate the patience of our fans and we look forward to returning to the racetrack,” the statement continued. “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 well-being as we navigate this challenging time together.”
The announcement followed three days after NASCAR postponed race weekends at Atlanta and Homestead-Miami. The latest postponement affects five more race weekends: Texas (March 27-29), Bristol (April 3-5), Richmond (April 17-19), Talladega (April 24-26) and Dover (May 1-3).
Ticket holders for races at Bristol and Texas can choose to receive a credit for the full amount paid plus an additional 20 percent for an SMI race in 2020-21, or they can choose to receive a full refund of their purchase price, according to the speedways.
This story is developing and will be updated.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 7:20 PM.
