Mark Humphrey/Associated Press
The majority of team sports in the United States have not even returned in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, however NASCAR has obviously already reached the stage where it can host 10s of countless fans.
According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), approximately 30,000 fans were allowed to attend Wednesdays NASCAR All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee. The report noted “it appeared that a minimum of 20,000 spectators were socially distanced throughout the grandstands, most likely making this the biggest sporting occasion in the United States since the winter season.”
As an outcome, the stadium held driver introductions for a race for the very first time because NASCAR returned from its hiatus May 17.
” It damn sure feels good to have the fans back at the track,” Clint Bowyer said.
Bowyer was only participating in the All-Star Race because he won the final area in the 20-driver field through fan vote throughout the NASCAR All-Star Open that was held prior to the primary event at the exact same speedway. Aric Almirola, William Byron and Matt DiBenedetto also made areas during the first race by winning the phases.
NASCARs All-Star Race is normally held at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but the AP noted it was moved to Bristol “because Tennessee officials enabled Speedway Motorsports to offer a percentage of the seats.”
North Carolina would not authorize fans to attend.
As for the real race, Chase Elliott was dominant throughout on his method to his first profession All-Star success.
He won Stages 2 and 3 prior to holding back Kyle Busch in the 15-lap sprint to the finish during Stage 4. Elliott took house the $1 million reward as a result.
