The NASCAR season resumed after the coronavirus-induced break, with the prospect of no fans in the stadiums in the near future. Since then, NASCAR Cup Series races have seen a gradual and measured re-introduction of fans. The Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway in October is also set to see fans in attendance.
Talladega Superspeedway announced that it will allow a limited number of fans the Cup Series playoff race on October 4. Some of the tracks allowed fans to attend races recently. Almost 20,000 fans attended the race at Daytona International Speedway last weekend.
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Talladega said it will not allow fans in frontstretch seating for the Xfinity Series and Truck Series races a day prior to the Cup race. The ‘Garage Experience’ will also be closed to fans.
Fan attendance plans for remaining NASCAR races in 2020
Darlington Raceway will allow up to 8,000 fans to attend the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs opener. The next race at Richmond Raceway will not see any fans in attendance.
The Round of 16 then ends at Bristol Motor Speedway. Up to 30,000 are said to be allowed for the Cup race that weekend in Bristol. A lesser capacity is allowed for the Xfinity Series race there. The All-Star race there in July saw about 20,000 spectators in attendance.
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway will host races on the weekend before Talladega. The Charlotte Road Course is scheduled to hold races the weekend after Talladega. Both the tracks have not yet announced their plans to allow fans.
Like Talladega, the Texas Motor Speedway will also host fans on the Cup Series day. However, the Truck Series race is also on the same day. Fans can attend that race too. ‘Final eight’ playoff races at Kansas Speedway and Martinsville Speedway are also yet to announce something. So is Phoenix Raceway for the Championship race.
Feasibility of having fans in stands in COVID-19 era
Among all of these, the Bristol Motor Speedway is the only venue that will see fans on two days of the race weekend. That will give them an idea of the costs and feasibility of doing so in the COVID-19 era. Having fans on multiple days leads to additional costs of disinfecting the stands and more staffing requirements on race days.
