NASCAR fans will be delighted to hear that the drivers will be starting their engines again this May.

NASCAR made an announcement today that it is scheduled to return on Sunday, May 17th, at Darlington Raceway that will kick off the first of seven races in an 11 day span.

In a statement on NASCAR's website:

“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,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “NASCAR will return in an environment that will ensure the safety of our competitors, officials and all those in the local community. We thank local, state and federal officials and medical experts, as well as everyone in the industry, for the unprecedented support in our return to racing, and we look forward to joining our passionate fans in watching cars return to the track.”

These races will be held at the track without any fans present as a result of COVID-19 concerns. According to NASCAR, officials worked with public health officials, medical experts and local, state, and federal officials to create a plan to "ensure the health and safety of competitors and surrounding communities at the above events. All races will be strictly tailored, in every way, to follow specific guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

In addition to there being no fans in attendance, NASCAR has made a few other changes. Among these changes, no practice sessions will be held for any event and qualifying will be held for the Coca-Cola 600 only.

There will be no practice sessions for any event, and qualifying will only be held for the Coca-Cola 600.

NASCAR also says :

No dates beyond May 27 have been announced, but NASCAR officials have said on multiple occasions that the sanctioning body intends to run a full 36-race NASCAR Cup Series slate in 2020.

 

Additional schedule updates specific to tracks that have had races postponed, and are not part of this new May schedule, will be revealed at a later date.

 

While there may not be any fans in attendance, I am sure all fans are happy to have NASCAR back. In the words of Darrell Waltrip “Boogity, boogity, boogity – let’s go racing, boys!”

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