NASCAR is on track to be the first major professional sports league in the US to welcome back fans to its venues.
The Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway will invite 1,000 service members from South Florida to its race this Sunday. The following Sunday at the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR will sell up to 5,000 tickets to fans.
Fans will be required to be screened before entering, to wear face coverings, to social distance at 6 feet, and will not have access to the infield, among other revised operational protocols.
Tickets for the GEICO 500 are open exclusively on a first come, first served basis to fans who purchased tickets or reserved camping for the originally scheduled GEICO 500 (April 26) and live within a designated proximity to the track, NASCAR said.
“We have tremendous respect and appreciation for the responsibility that comes with integrating guests back into our events,” said Daryl Wolfe, Executive Vice President, Chief Operations and Sales Officer, NASCAR. “We believe implementing this methodical process is an important step forward for the sport and the future of live sporting events. The passion and unwavering support of our industry and fans is the reason we race each weekend and we look forward to slowly and responsibly welcoming them back at select events.”
With seating for nearly 80,000 spectators, Talladega Superspeedway will still look rather sparse even with 5,000 fans in attendance.
