NASCAR Announces Changes with COVID-19

Credit: Lisa Janine Cloud for Skirts and Scuffs

NASCAR officials announced on Wednesday, March 11th, changes with several procedures because of the novel Coronavirus outbreak within the United States and other countries.

The changes will be effective immediately and indefinitely, starting this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Atlanta will host three races this weekend with the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, Xfinity Series, and NASCAR Cup Series.

The plan of action includes changes to driver and crew chief meetings, driver autographs, driver appearances, and pre-race and post-race activities.

Details are as follows:

Driver/crew chief meeting: NASCAR will hold driver/crew chief meetings in open air locations and will limit the meeting to drivers, crew chiefs, team owners, and select officials and dignitaries.

Driver autographs: Drivers should pre-sign items whenever possible, carry their own Sharpie and hero cards should be the primary form for all autographs.

Driver appearances: Should be structured to ensure that drivers are visible to fans in an open-air setting, such as Q&A sessions.

Pre-race and post-race activities (driver introductions, grid, & victory lane): NASCAR will provide a six-foot buffer around the grid as well as the driver introduction stage.

Team haulers: NASCAR recommends that access to team haulers be restricted to necessary personnel at each team’s discretion.

Advance in-market driver appearances: All advance appearances will be replaced with remote media activities and/or rescheduled for a later date in coordination with racetracks.

Driver at-track media availability: The informal rotations for all three series will be changed to press conferences on the riser in the media center. Full-field driver availability during qualifying, infield care center driver availability, and post-race bullpen will remain in effect, but with a 6-foot buffer in place.

NASCAR stated: “As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation develops nationally and across local markets where we race, NASCAR remains in daily consultation with public health officials and other prominent sports and entertainment properties. In addition, we have added an infectious disease specialist to our consulting physician group to provide technical assistance and to inform policy. In following with these discussions and guidance from this counsel, NASCAR is implementing several adjustments to race event operations effective this weekend at Atlanta and remaining in effect indefinitely.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 29 deaths throughout 38 states and the District of Columbia, with more than 1,000 people infected with the illness in the USA.

NASCAR Announces Changes with COVID-19 NASCAR Announces Changes with COVID-19 Reviewed by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Rating: 5